The joint motion by PSPV-PSOE and Verdes de Europa responds to the Consell's resolution that does not include Villena among the municipalities providing this service. Furthermore, the Generalitat is urged to provide information on the actual status of this service, which serves municipalities in the Alto Vinalopó and Medio Vinalopó regions, as well as towns in Albacete such as Caudete and Almansa.
The mayor of the city, Fulgencio Cerdán, has denounced another attempt to 'dismantle the social protection system' by the regional administration, by eliminating services particularly necessary for groups with specific difficulties and needs. From his perspective, the Family Meeting Point is a 'first necessity' resource, serving highly vulnerable groups, such as certain families and, above all, minors.
The mayor recalled the situation of the attention center for people with intellectual disabilities in Peña Rubia, the lack of doctors in the city's SAMU units, and 'now they come with the possible closure of this service'. He also thanked the expressions of solidarity and support from groups like the Bar Association of Alicante, which has defended the maintenance of this service in Villena.
For her part, the councilor for Social Welfare, Alba Laserna, called on the Generalitat Valenciana to 'stop cutting essential services' and guarantee the continuity of the Family Meeting Point in Villena. In her view, 'eliminating this service means taking a step backward in child protection, and transferring the consequences of an unjustified decision to many families'.
Laserna believes that the Generalitat cannot propose the suppression of a resource that is functioning, meets a real need, has specialized professionals, and has proven to be fundamental.
The Family Meeting Point, operational since 2022, allows minors to maintain contact with their parents and other relatives in situations of risk or conflict, based on judicial or administrative decisions. These public spaces become safe, controlled environments attended by specialized staff to normalize family relationships.
In Villena's case, the service has been operational since 2022 after the Villena City Council's investment in offices for this service, amounting to over 60,000 euros. This service has responded efficiently and with good results, avoiding the need for travel to other cities like Alicante, facilitating meetings between minors and family members, and allowing professionals to closely monitor their realities and circumstances.
The same decree that does not include Villena in the portfolio of Family Meeting Point services eliminates another 10 similar spaces throughout the Valencian Community, forcing minors, parents, and foster families to undertake long journeys.
