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Family guide

Jena not only offers a diverse educational landscape, but also a comprehensive range of information and advice for families. This guide will accompany you through all the important topics relating to education and advice in Jena.

Family app Thuringia (new from 01.05.2025)

Thuringia has a lot to offer families. But it's not easy to keep track of it all. The app makes it easier than ever to find the right offers for every need. The family app brings together a large selection of educational and advisory services, leisure activities, events and excursion destinations throughout Thuringia, saving you the trouble of searching on many different platforms.

Further information can be found on the Thuringian family app website.

Quick start

Legal basis

As soon as you are pregnant as a working woman, a number of protective provisions apply to you. As an expectant mother, you do not need to work for the last six weeks before the birth. There is a general ban on working for eight weeks or, in the case of premature and multiple births, twelve weeks after the birth.

The Maternity Protection Act applies to all women in employment. As soon as your pregnancy has been established, you should inform your employer of this and the expected date of birth.

Further information can be found on the family portal of the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth.

Parents are entitled to parental leave if they live in a household with their child and care for and raise it themselves. During parental leave, you enjoy special protection against dismissal.

The entitlement to parental leave exists irrespective of the place of residence or habitual abode, provided that the existing employment relationship is subject to German employment law. Civil servants are entitled to parental leave in accordance with federal and state regulations.

Further information can be found on the family portal of the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth.

Establishing paternity determines the parentage of a child. This results in extensive rights and obligations of the father for the child, such as upbringing, residence, economic care, care and school matters.

The father of a child in the legal sense is the man

  • who is married to the child's mother at the time of birth,
  • who has acknowledged paternity with the mother's consent under public notarization or
  • whose paternity has been established by a court.

Paternity can be acknowledged at any youth welfare office, notary, local court or registry office. This is also possible before the child is born.

Further information can be found on the paternity establishment / acknowledgment of paternity service page.

In addition to the desire to be there for a joint child, parents also have the duty and the right to care for their minor child (personal care, custody of property). There is joint custody if:

  • the parents are married to each other at the time of the child's birth,
  • the parents marry each other after the birth,
  • the parents who are not married to each other declare that they wish to assume joint custody (declaration of custody) or
  • the family court grants the parents joint custody.

The declaration of custody must be publicly notarized. This can be done at the youth welfare office or at a notary. It can also be made before the birth. The Youth Welfare Office will be happy to advise and support you in developing an amicable concept for the exercise of parental care.

Further information can be found on the service page Declaration of custody - joint custody.

The right of access regulates the right of a minor child to have contact with its parents and each parent with the child. Regular contact with both parents, but also with other people (grandparents, siblings, other close caregivers) who are particularly close to the child, is necessary for the child's undisturbed development, provided that such contact is in the child's best interests.

A parent with rights of access is obliged to have contact. The child itself has the right to contact with each parent. Parents who are separated are generally free to decide on a contact arrangement by mutual agreement.

Further information can be found on the family portal of the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth.

If the parents separate and the parent with whom the child lives (re)marries, the child can be given the new married name under certain conditions. The same applies to a registered civil partnership.

In the event of divorce or the death of a spouse, the married name is continued, but the spouses can change their name for this reason by making a declaration to the registrar. Questions about foreign law should be clarified with the registry office.

Further information can be found on the service page Change of name - Change surname.

Maintenance claims exist from the birth of the child. For children whose parents are not married to each other, paternity must be recognized or established in order to be able to claim maintenance. Even in the case of joint custody, the parent with whom the child lives can assert maintenance claims against the other parent and sue if necessary.

You can find more information on the service page Applying for maintenance - Child maintenance.

On application, in particular for advice and support for unmarried parents after the birth, a guardianship for the child can be set up at the youth welfare office. The guardian helps with the assertion of child maintenance claims and with establishing paternity.

You can find more information on the Assistance service page.

Financial aid

In order to be entitled to unemployment benefit, you must essentially meet the following requirements:

  • You are without employment, but are able to work at least 15 hours per week in employment subject to compulsory insurance.
  • You have registered as unemployed online via the Digital Service or in person at your local employment agency.
  • You are looking for a job that is subject to compulsory insurance. You are working together with your employment agency.
  • You fulfill the qualifying period.

It is best to register as a "jobseeker" immediately, but no later than 3 months before your employment ends. If you find out at short notice that you are likely to lose your job, please register as a jobseeker within 3 days. If you register as a jobseeker too late, you may suffer financial disadvantages. Please note: Registering as a jobseeker does not replace registering as unemployed.

Further information can be found on the website of the Federal Employment Agency.

jenarbeit - the Jobcenter of the City of Jena is responsible for advising citizens of Jena on basic security benefits in accordance with the German Social Security Code II (Bürgergeld). The benefits include integration into employment, financial support to ensure subsistence, including the assumption of the actual reasonable costs for accommodation and heating.

The citizen's allowance is granted for an unlimited period of time as long as the eligibility requirements are met.

Further information is available on the Citizen's Allowance - advice and application page.

BAföG benefits can be granted for the period of school education as well as for the period of study.

Pupils do not have to repay the benefits they receive. Students, on the other hand, receive half of the benefits as a grant, while the other half is granted as an interest-free loan.

The amount of the BAföG benefit is based on your needs and depends on your income and financial circumstances and those of your parents, as they have a maintenance obligation until you complete your initial education. Applications and information can be obtained from the offices for educational support.

Trainees who cannot live with their parents during their training because the training company is too far away from their parents' home, as well as participants in pre-vocational training measures, are entitled to a vocational training allowance under certain conditions. The amount of the vocational training allowance depends on the type of accommodation, the amount of the trainee's training allowance and the annual income of the parents and spouse or partner. Applications must be submitted to the Employment Agency.

Further information can be found on the website of the Employment Agency.

During the maternity protection period of six weeks before and up to eight weeks after giving birth (twelve weeks in the case of premature and multiple births), women receive financial benefits. Maternity benefit must be applied for from the health insurance fund and the employer.

Further information can be found on the family portal of the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth.

In the case of spousal maintenance, a distinction must be made between separation maintenance and post-marital maintenance. Separation maintenance is intended to ensure the financial security of both partners for the period between separation and divorce. If the divorce is final, there may be a claim to post-marital maintenance. There must be special grounds for a claim to post-marital maintenance at the time of the divorce.

These claims do not exist in the case of the separation of a cohabiting couple. You should seek advice on the type and scope of possible claims from a competent legal advisor at an early stage.

Children who receive no or no regular maintenance from the parent with whom they do not live can receive advance maintenance payments. The amount is based on the minimum maintenance. There is no maximum period of receipt.

You can find more information on the Apply for advance maintenance payments service page.

Child benefit is paid to all families regardless of income. Child benefit is generally available for all children up to the age of 18, and for children in education up to the age of 25 or unemployed children up to the age of 21. Applications must be submitted to the relevant family benefits office.

Further information can be found on the website of the Family Benefits Office of the Employment Agency.

The child supplement is granted to parents with a low income who can basically meet their own needs but do not have sufficient financial means to cover the needs of their children. Parents are entitled to child supplement for their unmarried children under the age of 25 living in their household if they receive child benefit for these children and

  • the average monthly gross income of the parents over the last 6 months reaches the minimum income limit for couples (€ 900) or for single parents (€ 600),
  • the family's needs are covered by the available income and the payment of child supplement and any housing benefit to which they may be entitled and therefore there is no entitlement to citizen's allowance.

Whether and to what extent the child supplement is paid is calculated individually for each family and depends on several factors - above all the family's own income, housing costs, the size of the family and the age of the children.

Further information can be found on the website of the Family Benefits Office of the Employment Agency.

Benefits from your employer

Ask your employer whether they will pay you an allowance for the care of your child. This not only increases the employee's net income; the employer also does not have to pay taxes or social security contributions for this allowance. In accordance with Section 3 No. 33 of the German Income Tax Act (EStG), benefits provided by the employer in addition to wages for the accommodation and care of children not subject to compulsory schooling in daycare centers or comparable facilities are exempt from wage tax and therefore social security contributions.

Further information can be found on the family portal of the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth.

Funding from the Jena Employment Agency and jenarbeit

The Jena Employment Agency can pay the subsidy for additional childcare costs if unemployment is ended by taking up employment subject to contributions and the working hours are not compatible with the childcare hours of the daycare centers or the location. Unemployed women and men who are entitled to unemployment benefit I and who are dependent on additional childcare due to taking up employment, in particular single parents, are eligible for support.

Persons threatened by unemployment can receive this subsidy to maintain their job (e.g. when returning to work). The amount and duration of the subsidy depend on the individual case. The application must be submitted before starting work. Furthermore, costs incurred for the care of children in need of supervision during participation in further training can be covered. Childcare costs within the meaning of employment promotion are daycare fees, costs for a childminder or expenses for childcare with neighbors or relatives.

Further information can be found on the Bürgergeld - advice and application page.

Financial help with daycare fees and parental fees

It is possible for children from low-income families to be fully or partially exempt from daycare fees or charges. You can apply for childcare costs to be covered at the Family Service of the Citizen Services Department.

Further information can be found on the service page Childcare fees and parental fees - takeover.

If you or your children

  • are entitled to benefits according to SGB II (in particular citizen's allowance or social benefit) or
  • social assistance according to SGB XII or AsylbLG or
  • housing benefit or
  • receive the child supplement according to the BKGG,

then your children are entitled to the education and participation package. This applies, for example, to school trips, school excursions, learning support, lunch, school supplies or other cultural and leisure activities.

Further information can be found on the service pages Education and participation package for housing benefit & social assistance recipients and for recipients of citizen's allowance.

The HandinHand Foundation can help children, pregnant women and families who find themselves in an emergency situation with an individual financial grant.

For further information, please contact the conflict and social counseling service for pregnant women and families.

If your spouse dies, you may be entitled to a widow's or widower's pension. If children under the age of 18 lose a parent, they can receive an orphan's pension. Divorcees who are bringing up a minor child can receive a child-raising pension if their ex-partner dies. The statutory pension insurance helps here with various benefits. Registered partners are also entitled to these benefits if they meet the respective requirements - transferred to their partnership.

You must apply for a survivor's pension. This is paid retroactively for up to twelve months.

You can obtain further information from Deutsche Rentenversicherung.

Consideration and tax benefits for children

The following are taken into account for tax benefits

  • natural children,
  • adopted children,
  • foster children

Step-parents or grandparents are not entitled to tax allowances for children, but can apply to the tax office for a transfer under certain conditions.

You can obtain further information from your local tax office.

Child allowance

There are two allowances for a child:

  • the child allowance to cover the child's basic material needs and
  • the allowance for care and education or training needs

The allowances for children cover all expenses for maintenance and education. The allowances are available to each parent in whose household the child lives and are only applied if the resulting tax relief is higher than the child benefit received. The tax office automatically checks whether child benefit or allowances are more favorable.

Education allowance

If an adult child is studying or training, no longer lives with their parents and is financially supported by them, the parents can claim the education allowance in their tax return.

For children who are not subject to unlimited tax liability (i.e. who have their place of residence or habitual abode abroad), special rules apply for claiming the tax-free allowance.

Childcare costs

Parents can claim childcare costs for children up to the age of 14. These include costs for day nurseries, after-school care or childminders. The tax office only takes into account the pure childcare service, not the meals. Expenses for lessons, sports or other leisure activities are not eligible. The costs of au pairs and babysitters can also be deducted.

Relief amount for single parents

Single parents in tax class II are entitled to a relief amount of €1908 per year for the first child. You receive €240 for each additional child. If a child with a main or secondary residence is registered with several taxpayers, the one who receives the child benefit receives the relief amount.

Maintenance expenses for children

Expenses for the maintenance and vocational training of a child can be claimed as an extraordinary burden if the child is legally dependent and in need. The taxpayer must provide evidence of the maintenance payments made.

School fees for children

If the child attends a private school in Germany or another EU country, the parents can claim part of the school fees as special expenses. However, this does not include the amount that parents pay for accommodation, care and meals.

Further information can be found on the website of the Free State of Thuringia.

Consulting

You will find the Family Information Point (FiP for short) in the Family Service Team of the City of Jena's Citizen Services Department.

The FiP can provide advice on issues such as daycare and after-school care fees, parental allowance and student grants (BAföG). The focus is on providing contacts and contact persons from Jena's diverse range of family-related organizations.

Further information can be found on the Family Advice service page in the Family Information Point.

First visit service

To help new parents get off to a good start and to welcome the new citizens of Jena, the city has set up a first visit service for all newborns and their parents. With a welcome letter from the Lord Mayor, parents receive the offer of a welcome visit to inform them at an early stage about the local possibilities and measures that can support and facilitate everyday family life.

Further information can be found on the Welcome visit to parents of newbornsservice page .

Family center with family service

At the Family Center with Family Service, expectant parents, families and children can find a wide range of intergenerational services. In addition to a wide range of information events, courses and open offers, staff are also on hand to provide advice and support on all issues relating to parenting, coping with everyday life and resolving individual life conflicts. The family service at the family center also supports families in reconciling family, care and work by providing advice and arranging household-related services.

Further information can be found on the ASB - Kreisverband Jena e. V.website.

General social counseling

Caritas' general social counseling service is open to people of all ages, nationalities and denominations and is free of charge.

Further information can be found on the Caritaswebsite .

General Social Service

The General Social Service (ASD) is the local contact point with an information, advice and referral function for all those seeking advice and help in matters of care and upbringing.

Children and young people also have a right to information and advice independently of their parents. Counseling is free of charge.

Further information can be found on the service pages of the General Social Servicesteam .

Conflict and social counseling for pregnant women and families

In Jena, women and families with questions about social and legal issues relating to pregnancy and birth, family planning and contraception or conflicts during pregnancy can turn to the staff at the conflict and social counseling service for pregnant women and families. If there is a need to talk, those seeking advice will receive support in making personal decisions and guidance in difficult life situations.

Counseling is free of charge, subject to legal confidentiality and anonymous if desired.

Further information can be found on the website of ASB - Kreisverband Jena e. V.

Action Wandlungswelten Jena e. V.

Pregnancy and childbirth are major life changes for women and their families. It is not uncommon for various psychological problems and crisis situations to arise. Those affected and their relatives can take advantage of anonymous and free counseling sessions from the mobile counseling team. The staff also provide information about clinical pictures and risk factors and, if necessary, arrange for help to relieve the burden of everyday life and further therapeutic measures on site.

Further information can be found on the website of Aktion Wandlungswelten e. V.

The family counselling centres in Jena are state-approved psychological counselling centres for parents, children, young people, young adults and families. Counseling is free of charge and the staff at the counseling centers are bound to confidentiality. Age, religious denomination, nationality or marital status are irrelevant when seeking advice.

Further information can be found on the family counselingservices page and on the AWO family counseling center website .

At the Family Center with Family Service, single parents will find a central point of contact for all everyday challenges. In addition to advice and support in all matters relating to everyday life or parenting, organizing childcare, planning a return to work or legal issues, themed meetings for single parents and their children are offered at regular intervals.

Here, contacts can be made and shared experiences exchanged. In addition, the family center coordinates the network for single parents in Jena. As part of this, various partners from different professions, such as the employment agency, jenarbeit, the social welfare office or educational institutions, work together to create better conditions for single parents.

Further information can be found on the website of ASB - Kreisverband Jena e. V.

Specialist service for migration and integration

The specialist service for migration and integration is primarily aimed at people who have recently arrived in Germany or have been living in Germany for some time and require integration advice and support. The support and advice services are varied and are graded according to age groups.

Further information can be found on the website of the AWO's specialist service for migration and integration.

New in Jena

An orientation guide for all those who have recently arrived in Jena or are planning their stay in Jena.

Further information can be found on the New in Jenaservice page .

Jena Women's Shelter

Women who find themselves in situations of domestic violence can make use of the services offered by the Jena women's shelter, regardless of their nationality, social background or financial situation. The staff are bound to confidentiality, work in a non-partisan manner and, if desired, anonymously.

If the victim is a man, help and support is offered as part of outpatient counseling.

Further information can be found on the website of the Jena Women's Shelter.

Towanda Women's Center

In difficult life situations, you can seek advice at the Towanda Women's Center. Advice is given on the topics of violence against women, relationships and separation, parenting, family, working life, but also grief and illness. Counseling is free of charge and confidential.

Further information can be found on the Towanda Women's Centerwebsite .

Child and youth protection service "Strohhalm"

The "Strohhalm" child and youth protection service is a contact and advice centre for boys and girls who are in need due to physical, psychological and/or sexualized violence or neglect.

Parents and teachers can also find competent contacts when it comes to ending violence against children and protecting them from further danger. The help is free of charge and confidential, if desired also anonymous and for an unlimited period of time. The focus is always on the child and the child's welfare. The employees are subject to the provisions of data protection and confidentiality.

Further information can be found on the website of ASB - Kreisverband Jena e. V.

White Ring

The Weisse Ring helps victims of crime in a variety of ways. Personal support after the crime includes assistance in dealing with the authorities, a voucher for a free initial consultation with a lawyer of your choice or a psychotherapist, legal protection, accompaniment to court hearings and referrals to other organizations.

Further information can be found on the Weisser Ring Jenawebsite .

Debtor and insolvency counseling supports people who are no longer able to cope with their existing or impending over-indebtedness on their own. It helps them to get their documents in order and regain an overview of their financial situation.

In debt counseling, debt relief measures are worked out together and ways of living with debts are shown without being threatened in their entire existence.

You can find more information on the debtor and consumer insolvency adviceservice page .

The staff at the ombudsman's office provide advice on SGB II benefits, help with applications for benefits, deal with specific complaints and questions from those affected and, if necessary, mediate between those affected and jenarbeit.

Further information can be found on the website of the ombudsman's office of the Begegnungszentrum Jena e. V.

Social psychiatric service

The social psychiatric service is available to people with a mental illness, with mental health problems and in conflict situations, as well as relatives and contact persons of those affected. The social psychiatric service is free of charge and the staff are bound to confidentiality.

Further information can be found on the service page Crises and conflict situations - advice & help.

Aktion Wandlungswelten

The Aktion Wandlungswelten network offers help for people who are mentally ill or in a mental health crisis.

Further information can be found on the website of Aktion Wandlungswelten e. V.

Psychosocial counseling for students

Psychosocial counseling is available free of charge to all students at universities in Thuringia. Those seeking advice - individuals and couples - can turn to the counseling center with study-related problems as well as in personal conflict situations.

Further information can be found on the Studierendenwerk Thüringenwebsite .

University Hospital Jena - Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy

The clinic treats patients with depressive, manic-depressive and psychotic disorders, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders, dependency disorders and dementia. Therapies are carried out according to internationally recognized guidelines and integrative therapy concepts.

Further information can be found on the website of Jena University Hospital.

The addiction counseling centers in Jena offer expertise in counseling, support and mediation for people with addiction problems. The help offered is aimed at people with their own addiction problem as well as their relatives and caregivers.

Caritas offers advice on mother-child cures and father-child cures. A cure offers the opportunity to get away from everyday stress and the many demands and tasks and to recharge your batteries with medical and therapeutic help.

Further information can be found on the Caritas website.

In Jena, there is an advice center on the topic of illness/need for care and the associated challenges. The care support point sees itself as a central contact and coordination point for all aspects of care in the Jena region.

It offers free, comprehensive and neutral advice on all questions relating to illness/the need for care as well as on care structures and offers of help. Sick people/people in need of care of all ages and their relatives are advised. One focus of the advice is the compatibility of work and care.

Further information can be found on the website of the Jena Care Support Center.

This is where young people who have committed crimes, their relatives and interested parties receive advice, guidance and support.

Further information can be found on the services page of the youth court assistance service.

Education and care

Child day care is the official term for childminders. They look after up to five children during the day or by the hour, primarily in their own household. The costs are based on the city of Jena's daycare fee regulations and depend on income.

Further information on the allocation of places and advice can be found on the service page Child day care - allocation of places and advice. You can also check the City of Jena'sKita-Portal for available places with childminders.

The fees for attending day care are calculatedby the Family Service of the City of Jena.

There are currently around 70 kindergartens in Jena, which are run by various providers. Currently, all children from the age of 13 months have a legal right to a place in a nursery or kindergarten. There are different pedagogical approaches in the facilities. All information on registering for a place in a facility can be found on the City of Jena'sKita-Portal.

The fees/charges are mainly calculatedby the Family Service of the City of Jena or by the respective providers of the facility.

Parents can choose from numerous educational concepts for their children. However, before a child can attend elementary school, it is checked whether they are the right age and physically ready to start school.

You can find more information on school enrolment on the school enrolment examinationservice page .

After a child has finished primary school, there are many alternatives for their future schooling in Jena. In addition to the regular schools and grammar schools, the city offers many alternative types of school. For example, there are comprehensive schools and community schools with different pedagogical concepts, which focus on learning together for longer. A school fair with all schools takes place every two years.

You can find an overview of all schools in Jena here.

Further information can be found on the website of the East Thuringia Education Authority.

An important part of the afternoon care for primary school pupils can be provided by the after-school care center of the respective elementary school (up to 4th grade). When registering the first day of school, an application for after-school care with the desired care time is submitted to the respective school at the same time.

The fees for attending after-school care are chargedby the Family Service of the City of Jena.

Family service at the family center

The services offered by the family center with family service complement the components already described. In addition, there are certified childminders who are available on an hourly basis and whose childcare work follows on from the fringe times of the institutional services.

Further information can be found on the ASB - Kreisverband Jena e. V. website.

Family seal

The Jena Family Seal is an initiative of the "Jena Alliance for Families". The alliance, a cooperation of various actors from business, science, administration and other social groups, aims to put families at the center of social, economic and political interest and to work together continuously to sustainably improve the living conditions of families in the city of Jena and the compatibility of family and career. Under the patronage of the Wirtschaftsförderungsgesellschaft Jena mbH, the family seal is awarded to family-friendly companies in Jena.

Further information can be found on the website of the Jenaer Bündnis für Familie.

JUni children

Students, parents, employees of the Studierendenwerk and Jena's universities as well as third parties can leave their children aged between twelve weeks and six years in the hands of experienced childminders for two to a maximum of four hours per day or a maximum of ten hours per week. A place can be booked in blocks. Detailed information is available at the INFOtake.

Further information can be found on the University of Jenawebsite .

Family care is the temporary support and care of families or individuals in their home. It is an outpatient assistance measure intended to provide support in coping with emergency situations. If the absence is due to health reasons, the priority of the health insurance fund must be checked.

Further information can be obtained from the relevant health insurance company or the youth welfare office.

Study

To find out more about studying, both universities in Jena offer a comprehensive range of advisory services and information days.

Further information can be found on the websites of the Friedrich Schiller University Jena and the Ernst Abbe University Jena.

The Studierendenwerk is responsible for economic, social and cultural support and provides a wide range of services related to studying.

You can find more information on the Studierendenwerk Thüringen website.

An important guide for students with children is the brochure "Studying and children under one roof". Here you will find, among other things, information on child benefit and maternity protection as well as financial aid and childcare options.

Advice for university members

The university family office JUni-Familie (Jenaer Universitätsstadtfamilie) offers students and employees of the Friedrich Schiller University Jena support with all family-related issues.

Further information can be found on the website of the Friedrich Schiller University Jena Family Office.

Career and further education

Jena offers exciting career prospects and an optimal work-life balance. Here you will find all the information you need about working and living in the City of Light. The team at the Welcome Center Jena is available for personal advice.

Further information is available on the Work in Jena website.

The Jena Youth Employment Agency (JUBA) is a joint contact and advice center for young people who have questions about school, career and study choices, are looking for a job or need support in current problem situations.

Further information can be found on the JUBA website.

Frequent job-related job changes pose a major challenge not only for new employees, but also for the whole family. It is also important to promote the career of the partner and to ensure the compatibility of family and career. Those involved in the Jena Alliance support skilled workers and their families in making the best possible start in Jena. The network promotes short distances and efficient communication.

Further information can be found on the website of the Jena Economic Development Corporation.

You can attend courses at the adult education center (Volkshochschule) to obtain a secondary school leaving certificate or high school diploma and to prepare for returning to work. Employed persons can receive a premium voucher. This includes employees, self-employed persons, marginally employed persons, employees on maternity leave or parental leave or employees with "top-up benefits" according to SGB II.

Further training measures can be funded once a year. During the consultation, it will be checked whether all the requirements for issuing a premium voucher are met.

Further information can be found on the Jena Adult Education Center and JUBA websites.

Kindersprachbrücke Jena e. V.

This association supports children of non-German as well as German mother tongue with child and youth work offers. The Kindersprachbrücke offers a wide range of projects and regular activities.

Further information can be found on the website of Kindersprachbrücke Jena.

Institute for Intercultural Communication

The Institut für Interkulturelle Kommunikation Jena e. V. offers individually tailored courses to improve language skills and competencies.

Further information can be found on the website of the Institute for Intercultural Communication.

The employment agency supports people in their integration into working life (job placement, careers advice). New career prospects and development opportunities are discussed in individual counseling sessions and information is provided on funding opportunities. Unemployed people are financially supported with unemployment benefit if they are individually entitled to it.

Further information can be found on the website of the Employment Agency.

Those interested in further training are advised individually on the opportunities for professional development and change through suitable further training. This also includes information on financing options and funding opportunities.

Further information can be found on the website of the Thuringia Continuing Education Agency.

"mein NOW" is an online portal that supports people interested in continuing education with information on continuing education and retraining, the search for continuing education courses and online tests.

You can find more information on the mein NOW website.

Living

Housing benefit is granted on application in the form of a rent subsidy for owner-occupied housing to ensure adequate and family-friendly housing. Whether housing benefit can be claimed and if so, in what amount, depends on three factors:

  • the number of household members in the household
  • the amount of total income
  • the amount of eligible rent or charges

You can find more information on the Apply for housing benefit service page.

A housing entitlement certificate is required to rent subsidized and therefore cheaper housing. The housing entitlement certificate is issued on application and depends on the income of all persons in the household. It is valid for one year. It is issued to persons whose annual income does not exceed the limits set out in the Housing Assistance Act.

Further information can be found on the service page Applying for a housing entitlement certificate.

Self-help group

Being able to communicate in difficult life situations, receiving advice, help and support from people affected by the same condition, but also experiencing the good things in life together again - these are just some of the motives that motivate people to join a self-help group. Health, social or psychological problems can be overcome more easily by sharing experiences with others who are affected and through mutual help.

IKOS Jena

The Information Center for Self-Help Groups Jena can provide you with further information on a variety of self-help groups and initiatives, which are also listed on the information center's website.

Further information can be found on the IKOS Jena website.

Meeting places for families

In the family center with family service, you will find a wide range of courses for (expectant) parents, children, women and families as well as open offers. The family breakfast and family café, a varied and entertaining meeting place for moms and dads with their children, takes place every week. There are also regular meetings for twins and single parents. At these meetings, parents can exchange experiences, support each other and network.

Network of the Jena Parents' School "GEMEINSAM STARK"

The network offers parents suggestions and support for all parenting issues. The parenting school and its services are available at various locations and in the districts of Jena. These include

  • Parenting seminars with free childcare (dealing with conflicts, working out needs, setting boundaries, learning to be and remain consistent, positive communication, dealing with your own anger, challenging phases such as puberty)
  • Open offers with counseling services
  • Parent-child time with children up to the age of three
  • Information events on various topics

Further information can be found on the website of ASB - Kreisverband Jena e. V.

The KLEX - an open house for children, young people and families in Lobeda-West - regularly hosts

  • a family Saturday,
  • time for parent/adult recreation,
  • a family day (Wednesday)
  • and a repair café as open offers for families.

There is also parent-child time for children up to the age of three and a monthly family games afternoon.

Further information can be found on the KLEXwebsite .

The Freizeitladen Winzerla regularly hosts a parents' café with counseling services and parent-child time for children up to the age of three. Parents' afternoons are also held once a month.

Further information can be found on the website of Freizeitladen Winzerla.

KuBuS is a place with a wide range of cultural, sporting and community-oriented activities in Lobeda-West. The regular program includes district festivals, concerts, dance and film events as well as creative activities for children and families. There is also a wide range of sports courses to take part in. Band rehearsal rooms are available for those interested in music.

Further information can be found on the KuBuSwebsite .

The association for gender-sensitive social work offers leisure activities and courses for girls and young women, but also for boys and young men.

You can find more information on the JuMäXwebsite .

The network "Meeting Point Generations Jena" brings together facilities that offer activities for young and old and promote interaction between the generations. The intergenerational meeting points are located throughout the city. Whether sports, creative activities, care, education or social services - the offerings are as diverse as the people who meet, learn from each other and get involved.

Further information can be found on the website of the AWOmulti-generation house or the ÜAG.

The meeting center in Jena-Nord offers a wide range of activities for senior citizens and families. The program includes sports and games, creative design, music and many other interesting events.

Further information can be found on the website of the Jena meeting center.

In addition to midwife support and care, the Jena Birth Center offers courses on all aspects of childbirth, open meetings in the form of a breastfeeding group and a library. There are also regular events on health topics and bi-annual children's clothing flea markets. Once a month, parents who have lost a child, as well as their relatives and friends, can exchange personal experiences.

Further information can be found on the Jena Birth Centerwebsite .

The Thuringian Parent-Child Center (ThEKiZ for short) is a Thuringian state program to promote the nationwide development of daycare facilities into parent-child centers. At the ThEKiZ Anne Frank and Regenbogen, you will find family services for adults and their children, special services for children and family midwives.

Further information can be found on the website of the municipal kindergartens in Jena.

Youth work in the youth centers (Polaris, Eastside, Westside, HUGO, Junge Gemeinde Stadtmitte) has the task of contributing to the personal development and integration of young people.

In doing so, it works with an independent understanding of education: it offers young people an open world of learning and experience. The focus is on what concerns young people and young adults: their ideas and dreams, their abilities and interests, and also their worries.

Further information can be found on the website of the youth work/youth social work team.

Leisure activities