BACKGROUND VISION 2020- IMPROVEMENT IN THE QUALITY OF LIFE

1. Launching the Inter-American Social Protection Network “A Hemispheric Partnership to promote opportunities, inclusion and prosperity”

2. The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago has embarked on an unprecedented development agenda to transform the country into a developed nation by 2020. The driving force behind Vision 2020 has always been and will remain the Government’s enduring passion and desire to bring prosperity and a higher quality of life to every individual, family and community across the country.

3. BACKGROUND VISION 2020- IMPROVEMENT IN THE QUALITY OF LIFE

4. ANNUAL INVESTMENT IN THE SOCIAL SECTOR (SSIP 2007)

5. Trinidad and Tobago is a committed member of the Social Network of Latin America and the Caribbean. Over the years the country has recognised the invaluable contribution of the Network in assisting member countries in capacity building to respond to the needs of our more vulnerable population. The Network has created opportunities for building awareness and dialogue in support of major social development issues relevant to member states. Exposure of poverty alleviation practitioners to best practices and new ideas has promoted participatory learning among member states, specifically, Caribbean nations

6. It has allowed Caribbean nations to recognize that notwithstanding our sovereign differences, our experiences share significant similarities and there is much to learn from each other. This can facilitate speedier programme and policy development and avoidance of negative implications The Network through its Secretariat, the Organization of American States (OAS), has bridged the language divide as it promotes the social development of the region. The effort of the Network, through its various training initiatives in the area of social development and poverty alleviation, has helped to strengthen human resource capacity in the formulation and implementation of poverty reduction initiatives.

7. The Network-based Capacity Building on Social Protection Strategies was a keynote event which facilitated the South/South collaboration and transfer of the Puente Programme, an innovative approach at poverty reduction. Trinidad and Tobago embraced the opportunity to learn and build capacity in the adaptation and implementation of a model based on the Puente Programme This resulted in the exchange of experience that helped us avoid the many challenges/pitfalls experienced by our regional counterparts. It also helped us to build social capital in our programme The capacity building - study visits, internships, workshops, seminars and the virtual platform was valuable in the transfer of social technology

8. Challenges • In the transference process included -: Communication in terms of Language barriers • At the organizational level included -: Turnover of Staff Competing responsibilities

9. TARGETED CONDITIONAL CASH TRANSFER PROGRAMMETCCTP SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION AND EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME-UPLIFTING PEOPLE (STEP UP) More than Just a Card

11. PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES .

12. What were the needs What STEP UP Offers A more pro-active approach to targeting the vulnerable by meeting them at their door, in their community or wherever they may be. A new targeting model A co-responsibility framework with the beneficiaries to achieve their commitment during the process Implementation of a system that allows the clients to become agents of their own change instead of assuming the role of passive recipients.

13. What were the needs What TCCTP offers Minimum conditions for quality of life in eight dimensions: identification, education, health, housing, employment, family dynamics, safety and security and income, which represent the real existing demand. The coverage of these demand is assumed as the basic threshold of Social Protection. Comprehensive approach to poverty reduction Basic support which enables beneficiaries to function within the system. Integration of the various offerings into a coordinated and coherent system. This will allow the TCCTP to address the diverse expressions of poverty while at the same time make a comprehensive offering to beneficiaries to promote sustainable poverty reduction.

14. What were the needs What TCCTP Offers Preferential access to vulnerable families to a suite of social services Reorganization of the existing resources with a focus on the vulnerable. Greater focus on the family unit, seeing the individual’s problems in the context of the specific situation of the family Refocused approach to treating social issues for greater impact Agent of change who commits to the families during the process and links them to the networks. Psychosocial support through the provision of a social worker who works directly with the families: the Family Worker

15. 49 CONDITIONS

17. Eligibility Determination Phase Up to 2 months Entrance to TCCTP Exit from TCCTP 30 Months How do we get there? Discovery Phase 3-8 months WorkPhase 9-24 months AfterCare Phase 6 months INCLUSION DIAGNOSTIC TREATMENT AUTONOMY

18. Psychosocial Support Family Worker and client will begin to examine the key areas of family life and construct the STEPS to a higher standard of living. Minimum conditions established. Minimum Conditions Achieved Graduation Client Assessment (Eligibility) Programme Offer STEP UP

19. SUCCESS STORIES • scan0063.jpg..\TCCTP Success Stories.xls • scan0048.jpg • scan0049.jpgscan0050.jpg • scan0057.jpgscan0058.jpg • scan0067.jpgscan0063.jpg

20. Thank You