The Government announces the launch of the reinforced coordinated pathway (PCR) “Protected childhood” which aims to improve the health care of children, adolescents and young adults monitored under child protection. They will also be able to benefit from early mental health care with a specific assessment and up to 18 annual sessions of psychology, psychomotor skills or occupational therapy, renewable. Communiqué.
Following the publication on April 25 of the decree of April 21, 2026, the reinforced coordinated pathway (PCR) “protected childhood” aims to better meet the needs of children, adolescents and young adults taken into care under child protection. These populations indeed present significant vulnerabilities in terms of health, linked to life courses often marked by ruptures, trauma or insufficient medical follow-up.
Resulting from the experiments of article 51, “Protected health” co-supported by Doctor Nathalie Vabres and the General Directorate of Social Cohesion (DGCS), and the “Pégase” program supported by Doctor Daniel Rousseau, the “protected childhood” PCR makes it possible to structure a graduated, coordinated and readable care pathway on a national scale. This course aims to ensure, throughout the territory, the effective implementation of the health and prevention check-up and its annual update, for all protected children, adolescents and young adults under the age of 21, whether they are entrusted or monitored in an open environment, as well as during the year following the end of their care.
The implementation of this course, ensured by a coordination structure, will allow to guarantee the effectiveness of the provision of community medicine care (vaccination, dental, ophthalmology, etc.), referral to specialized care and also of provide young people who need it with early mental health care with a specific assessment and up to 18 annual sessions of psychology, psychomotor skills or occupational therapy, renewable.
Its deployment will be progressive between 2026 and 2028, with the objective of complete coverage of the territory in 2028. This deployment, carried out by the Regional Health Agencies in conjunction with the departments, will be supported at the national level by two national coordination teams, one in charge of the deployment of the PCR in the coordination structures which will be retained and the second specifically in charge of the deployment of the PCR within social nurseries in order in particular to capitalize on the lessons learned from the “Health” experiments. Protected” and “Pégase” and support health professionals such as those in child welfare in this development.
“With the reinforced coordinated “protected childhood” pathway, we are taking a decisive step to better protect the health of children in child welfare care. By structuring coordinated medical monitoring and strengthening access to care, particularly psychological care, we are taking concrete action to reduce inequalities and guarantee each child support that meets their needs,” declares Stéphanie Rist, Minister of Health, Families, Autonomy and People with Disabilities.
Press release, Ministry of Health, Families, Autonomy and People with Disabilities, April 29, 2026