Ministry of Social Services and Community Development
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
SOCIAL SAFETY NET REFORM
September, 2013
OVERVIEW
The reform of the Government’s Social Safety Net began in 2002
Dr. Lorraine Blank’s study of the Safety Net of the Bahamas
2001 Survey of Living Conditions, 9.3% of the population living below the poverty line
2013 Household Expenditure Survey conducted – new poverty line to be determined
OBJECTIVE
The objectives of the Social Safety Net Reform Project to reduce poverty and improve human capital accumulation
oHealth conditions
oEducation conditions
OBJECTIVES CONT’D
To improve the effectiveness of the social programmes in the Department of Social ServicesoManagement information system (MIS)
oImproved Targeting Mechanism – one instrument
oMonitoring and evaluation of the programmes
oBetter service delivery
Objective cont’d
The consolidation of existing cash and in-kind programmes (food, financial assistance - rent, utilities, school uniforms) into a CCT
Status
Implementation of a Proxy Mean Test (PMT)– pilot of the PMT administered on four (4) islands – Grand Bahama, Eleuthera, and Cat island, May 2013• PMT indicators for rural and urban areas
different
• Appeals for persons not approved by the PMT
• There will be one Appeals Committee (nationally)
Proxy Means Test Pilot being administer at the Wulff Road Center
FOCUS ON CHANGING BEHAVIOUR TO PROMOTE HUMAN CAPITAL
Improve educational achievement• School attendance
• tutoring classes for those falling below a 2.0 GPA
• graduation from high school
Cont’d
Promote healthier lifestyles• Attendance at prenatal clinic
• Attendance at well child care clinic
• Visit with a nutritionist
ADMINISTRATION
The Ministry of Social Services and Community Development is the executing agency for the project
The CCT will be managed by a Cash Grant Unit
The Cash Grant Unit will serve as the Project Execution Unit (PEU) and headed by a Cash Grant Manager/Project Director
SUPPORTING AGENCIES
MINISTRY OF HEALTH MINISTRY OF EDUCATION MINISTRY OF FINANCE
• Department of Information Technology (MIS)
• Department of Statistics – Household Expenditure Survey, Poverty Maps, Proxy Means Test
SUPPORTING AGENCIES CONT’D
DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Loan with Inter American Development Bank – to finance the Project Phase. Government of the Bahamas will finance transfers to beneficiaries to ensure the programme is sustained
Payment Method geographically some islands areas are cash (no bank facilities)
Payments to beneficiaries in these areas to be determined