Diversity and continuum of services at community level T.Colin, Chisinau, November 24-26, 2009

Why do we highlight the need for “diversity” and “continuum” of services?  The central role of social services is to fight poverty and social exclusion;  In order to do so, social services have to be accessible to those who need them and to cover the wide range of needs for all population, at all ages;  Therefore, the respect of the so called “4 A’s” in the social services field is crucial:

Key requirements in social services field  Available – development of the services spectrum, sustainability, continuity, well geographically distributed  Affordable – everybody can benefit from the services at a reasonable cost.  Accessible – community-based, mainstreamed and/or specialized services, gate keeping mechanisms,  Accountable – financial and organizational transparency/ good governance  Choice – citizens have the right to accessible information, and a framework that provide a possibility to choose and define his/her individual project  Qualitative – person centered services, monitoring mechanisms, standards and principles 3

Understanding… “diversity”

Understanding… “diversity” (2)  A large spectrum of services is needed for covering the complex needs of people;  States are responsible for guaranteeing the access to these social services in the communities;  Therefore the crucial aspects for ensuring this diversity: the adequate needs assessment (at local and individual level); the “welfare mix” (public/private)

DIVERSITY - What effect at policy level?  New procedures and planning “tools” Revision of the gate keeping system ; Maps of needs and services; Data collection, coherent information system at national level etc.  New types of services to be designed and regulated by law, especially for the “transitional phases”; ex. early detection centres, day centres, mobile teams, vocational training, mediation for employment, supported housing etc.  New types of qualifications and functions (ex. support teachers, mediators etc.); which means articulated policies between various line ministries

DIVERSITY - What effect at local level?  A stronger visibility of users and user’s interests and needs;  Recognition of the role of NGOs in introducing new types of services (flexibility, multi-disciplinary, person-centered)  A regulatory framework allowing municipalities to use their resources for the local needs; (Sub)contracting and funding procedures Decentralization Statistical and planning tools at local level;  Needs-driven policy at local level

Understanding… “continuum”  Covering all needs, at all ages;  All good intentions and initiatives are useless if the circuit of services is “broken” for a specific cycle of life;  LRE (least restrictive environment) – from less specialized to more specialized, and highly specialized  … and the risk of focusing the reform process on a specific age cycle…

CONTINUUM - What effects to be considered in the reform process?  Early detection and intervention has to be ensured  Needs assessment agencies should be in place during the different phases of life;  Coordination of support is needed (case management);  Developing new services for managing the “transitional phases”;  The user has to be present in all decision making levels;  Again, the welfare mix: traditional and innovative services; public and private; complementarity of roles and provision of services;

And keeping in mind that:  The transition period is also a state of mind; we have to adjust and to “cope” with this period; (ex. the case of day centres in the transition systems-their role and profile can be different in different stages of the services evolution);  This transition phase (of reforming the system of social services) is expensive;  Expensive, but compulsory.  Transition is successful when the final goals are clear and all stakeholders together are committed to attend them;  … And small but strong steps are crucial for a successful transition phase…