Trinidad and Tobago’s Commitment to Inter-American Cooperation In Promoting Social Protection in the Region. Social Network of Latin America and the Caribbean and the Puente Programme-

 The Social 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. The Partnership

 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 Partnership

 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 is reflected in the various opportunities presented through the relationship with OAS and FOSIS, Chile. The Partnership

Opportunities for Partnership WORKSHOP IN JAMAICA INTERNSHIP IN CHILE MONITORING VISIT BY OAS/FOSIS to T&T…report pending

 Tutoring via a Virtual Forum and Internet facilitated further learning and reinforced the capacity building exercise.  The Network-based Capacity Building on Social Protection Strategies resulted in some of the following:  Enhanced Capacity of members of the country team;  Design of an innovative approach to complement poverty reduction programmes;  Raised level of awareness of poverty related issues facing Caribbean and Latin American Countries;  Build Social Capital;  Provided an opportunity for a Caribbean approach to poverty reduction. The Partnership

THE WAY FORWARD The Partnership THE WAY FORWARD  At the 14 th Conference of the Americas in 2007, it was agreed that: Trinidad and Tobago would host the Conference on the Caribbean Puente Pilot Program – September 9-12, Trinidad and Tobago would host the Conference on the Caribbean Puente Pilot Program – September 9-12, Sharing of experiences by Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia and Jamaica. -Participation by other Caribbean countries that have expressed an interest in the program.

ADAPTATION OF THE PUENTE PROGRAMME There was a need to implement the Conditional Component of TCCTP-The learning from the Puente Programme presented the opportunity to do so.

ADAPTATION OF THE PUENTE PROGRAMME STRATEGIES ARE AS FOLLOWS:  Greater focus on the family unit, seeing the individual’s problems in the context of the specific situation of the family.  A more pro-active approach to targeting the vulnerable by meeting them at their door, in their community or wherever they may be.  Ensuring that the system serves as an incentive for families to improve their conditions.

STRATEGIES CONTINUED…  Integration of the various offerings into a coordinated and coherent system - to address the diverse expressions of poverty while at the same time make a comprehensive offering to beneficiaries to promote sustainable poverty reduction.  Access, once assessed as being indigent or poor, to services offered by the State.  Implementation of a system that allows the clients to become agents of their own change instead of assuming the role of passive recipients.  Re-engineering the approach to the delivery of social services by introducing a family caseworker.

FIN Social Protection Programmes Employment Opportunities Life Skills Developmental Programmes STRATEGIES Introduction of the Family Intervention Network (FIN)

STRATEGIES SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION AND EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME UPLIFTING PEOPLE (STEP UP)- TO PROVIDE: Ongoing Psycho-Social support throughout the duration of the intervention.

STRATEGIES The role of the Family Worker : To help the family to recognize its capital, significant relationships and each member ’ s abilities, knowledge, skills and behaviors as resources which the family can value. The family worker and the family will begin to explore the family capital and to collectively visualize how this can be used as a foundation to face family challenges.

STRATEGIES KEY AREAS OF FAMILY LIFE  PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION  HEALTH  EDUCATION  FAMILY DYNAMICS  HOUSING  EMPLOYMENT  INCOME  SAFETY & SECURITY

MINIMUM CONDITIONS ALL RECIPIENTS OF THE TCCTP AND/OR A FAMILY MEMBER MUST BE WILLING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CONDITIONAL COMPONENT OR STAND THE RISK OF BEING DISQUALIFIED FROM THE PROGRAMME.

METHODOLOGY Client Assessment (Eligibility) Programme Offer 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. FIN Social Protection Programmes Employment Opportunities Life Skills Developmental Programmes Minimum Conditions Achieved Graduation

PILOTING THE CONDITIONAL COMPONENT Trinidad and Tobago agrees that this is a worthwhile methodology and as such the new approach will be implemented on a National Basis as this will satisfy the Conditional Component of the programme. However for the purposes of research and tracking, two areas with the highest poverty have been chosen: Princes Town Sangre Grande

POVERTY STATISTICS PREVALENCE OF POVERTY WITHIN REGIONS  Sangre Grande-39.1%  Princes Town-30.0%  Siparia-27.7%  Mayaro /Rio Claro-26.6%  Point Fortin-24.6%  Port of Spain-18.0%

POVERTY STATISTICS Port of Spain 18.0% Sangre Grande 39.1% Mayaro\Rio Claro 26.6% Point Fortin 39.1% Princes Town 30.0%

Annual Investment in the Social Sector (SSIP 2007)

 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  The driving force behind Vision 2020 has always been and will remain this Government’s enduring passion and desire to bring prosperity and a higher quality of life to every individual, family and community across the country. Vision 2020 Operational Plan

CORPORATE OBJECTIVES 2008/9 OF THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT Tied to the Pillars, Goals and Objectives of Vision 2020 are our Corporate Objectives:  To reduce the incidence of poverty in society.  To build strong functional families as the foundation of society and promote sound values’ system among the population.

OUTCOMES/RESULTS Strong families and communities (key to nurturing a caring society) where vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, youth and persons with disabilities are cared for and protected. Strong families give security, comfort and meaning to life. They are the source of strength from which the young can aspire to achieve their full potential. They are the conduit through which our elderly pass on their values and lessons learnt. Strong families also ensure that children lead happy, confident lives and that our elderly enjoy respect and dignity.