No.147 Establishment of Development Support Center Branches

On March 21, the opening ceremony for a total of three facilities was held: the Inagi City Development Support Center Branch, the Educational Consultation Room Branch located within it, and the Inagi City Facility for Children and Adults with Severe Physical and Mental Disabilities. Each facility will begin operations on April 1.

These facilities are located on the first floor of Building 17 of the Omaru Tokyo Metropolitan Inagi Apartments, repurposed from the former City-run Fourth Nursery School building. The land is owned by Tokyo Metropolitan Government, but the first floor of the building is owned by the city.

Since its completion in 1981, it has been used as the city-run Fourth Nursery School with a capacity of 112 children. As part of measures to eliminate waiting lists for children, we have integrated the rebuilding, relocation, privatization, and expansion of capacity, and opened the "Inagi Nozomi Nursery School" with a capacity of 228 children nearby, while the previous facility was closed and has remained vacant until the land use is decided.

In Inagi City, in order to respond to consultations regarding individuals with developmental challenges, we established a unique "Developmental Support Center" within the Hirao Friend facility in 2013.

The features of this facility include support from the Welfare Department for preschool children and those after graduating from school, as well as support from the Board of Education for school-age children. The staff of the Development Support Center and the Educational Consultation Room and Special Needs Education Consultation Room work side by side in the same office, facilitating daily information sharing to establish a seamless support system across different age groups.

Since the establishment of the Development Support Center, 11 years have passed, and the number of consultations has doubled compared to the initial period. Additionally, there are challenges regarding access from the city center, which has led to ongoing considerations for the establishment of a branch office. After negotiating with Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the owner of the site, regarding the effective use of the vacant facility following the closure of the City’s Fourth Nursery School, we have gone through various discussions and adjustments regarding the business content and cost burden, and it has now been decided that it can be utilized as three facilities.

Developmental Support Center Branch

The new developmental support center branch has been given the nickname "Respo Inagi Omaru," and is located alongside the educational counseling room branch, just like "Respo Inagi Hirao" within the Friend Hirao.

Furthermore, this facility not only provides consultations but also has the functions of a "Child Development Support Center" based on the Child Welfare Act, and will implement developmental support in a one-stop manner. As the designated manager of the facility, we have entrusted the operation to the Social Welfare Corporation Masamune Association, just like Respo Inagi Hirao.

Education Consultation Room Branch

The Educational Consultation Room has been using a prefabricated building on the south side of the Central Cultural Center premises, but it will now be relocated to the former City-run Fourth Nursery School facility. The Educational Consultation Room in Hirao will be designated as the Central Educational Consultation Room, while this will be positioned as a branch of the Educational Consultation Room.

Daycare Facilities for Severely Disabled Children (Persons) and Others

Until now, there were only two locations in the city, and the eligible individuals were limited, so those wishing to use the service had to look for facilities outside the city or end up at home. Therefore, the establishment of new facilities within the city was desired.

The facilities of the former City-run Fourth Nursery School are spacious enough to allow for the establishment of a new day service facility by separating the areas and sections of the Development Support Center branch and the Educational Consultation Room branch.

The operation here is managed by the specified administrator, the general incorporated association Life is, which has a proven track record in similar projects in Tama City. The facility is named "+laugh Inagi" and is aimed at individuals with severe physical disabilities and intellectual disabilities, as well as those who require medical care.

Life is characterized by very open facility management, and in Tama City, there is a candy shop that allows local residents to come and go freely. In Inagi City, there are plans to set up a juice stand, so everyone is welcome to stop by.

This facility is something that the citizens have long awaited, and it is also something that I have cherished for many years. I feel deeply moved that we are finally able to open it. Once again, I would like to express my gratitude to all those involved in making this opening possible.