Social Assistance Forum
The Social Assistance Forum is a liaison and expert body that carries out development work on issues of social assistance.
The Forum convenes around a pre-agreed topic which provides a focus for discussion with partner organisations and for building a shared understanding of the current situation. The agreed-upon topic for 2023 is basic social assistance and medicines.
The Social Assistance Forum is intended to create a broader basis for collaboration and information sharing and to support the operations and development efforts of the participating organisations.
Chairperson
Pasi Pajula, Head of the Centre of Expertise in Income Security Benefits, Kela
Secretary
Thea Järvenpää, Systems Design Specialist, Kela
Members:
- Minna Kivipelto, Research Manager, National Institute for Health and Welfare
- Anne Qvist, Adult Social Work Manager, City of Helsinki
- Elina Wiljanen, Social Worker, Wellbeing Services County of Southwest Finland
- Minna Sellman, Social Services Counsellor, Wellbeing Services County of Central Finland
- Minna Ryhänen, Service Manager, Wellbeing Services County of Vantaa and Kerava
- Sari Torkkeli, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Wellbeing Services County of Pirkanmaa
- Ellen Vogt, Senior Adviser, Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities /Hyvinvointialueyhtiö Hyvil Oy
- Annika Korpela, Legal Counsel, Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities /Hyvinvointialueyhtiö Hyvil Oy
- Tuula Kock, Medical Adviser, Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities /Hyvinvointialueyhtiö Hyvil Oy
- Vesa Jormanainen, Senior Ministerial Adviser in Medical Affairs, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
- Susanna Rahkonen, Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
- Ritva Liukonen, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
- Jaana Mäkelä, Chief Administrative Physician, Regional State Administrative Agency for Southern Finland
- Lauri Pelkonen, Director, Pharmaceuticals Pricing Board (Hila)
- Liisa Näveri, Head of Unit, Finnish Medicines Agency (Fimea)
- Heikki Pärnänen, Director, Finnish Medical Association
- Jukka Mattila, Senior Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Finance
- Reima Palonen, Consulting Officer, Council for Choices in Health Care in Finland
- Heini Kari, Researcher, Kela
- Helena Kastarinen, Medical Director, Kela
- Janne Leinonen, Chief Medical Director, Kela
- Johanna Kilpijoki, Medical Adviser, Kela
- Sanna Klas, Systems Design Specialist, Kela
- Mariina Oksala, Systems Design Specialist, Kela