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 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.

Competitive Business Innovative People Effective Government Sound Infrastructure & Environment Nurturing A Caring Society

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

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.

 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

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

SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION AND EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME-UPLIFTING PEOPLE (STEP UP) More than Just a Card

. Eradicate indigence by Reduce poverty by 5% by 2010 and then by 2% annually.

A new targeting model A more pro-active approach to targeting the vulnerable by meeting them at their door, in their community or wherever they may be. 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. What were the needsWhat STEP UP Offers

Comprehensive approach to poverty reduction 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. 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. What were the needsWhat TCCTP offers

Reorganization of the existing resources with a focus on the vulnerable. Preferential access to vulnerable families to a suite of social services Refocused approach to treating social issues for greater impact Greater focus on the family unit, seeing the individual’s problems in the context of the specific situation of the family What were the needsWhat TCCTP Offers 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

FIN Social Protection Programmes Employment Opportunities Life Skills Developmental Programmes

Eligibility Determination Phase Up to 2 months INCLUSIONTREATMENT AUTONOMY Discovery Phase 3-8 months Work Phase 9-24 mon ths After Care Phase 6 months DIAGNOSTIC 30 Months How do we get there?

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

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Thank You