Jamaica – Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH)

Jamaica

PROGRAMME OF ADVANCEMENT

THROUGH HEALTH AND EDUCATION

(PATH)

A Human Rights Approach

Human Rights

Approach Equality & Non-discrimination

Participation and empowerment

Accountability and transparency

Complaint and redress mechanisms

Progressive and non-regressive programme development

Human Rights Approach The Government of Jamaica has committed to

ensure the constitutional right of the Jamaica people to social protection.

The Government of Jamaica is a signatory to and has ratified the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights

Commitment - a human rights approach is central to the implementation of social assistance policy and programmes.

Introduction

Objective of PATH The overall objective of PATH is to

provide the poorest Jamaican

households with a targeted social

safety net programme

to enable them to increase their

educational attainment and improve

health outcomes and in turn break the

cycle of intergenerational poverty.

Introduction - Target Groups

Introduction

• Registered Beneficiaries

PATH Registered Beneficiaries August

2011 Benefit Group Total

Children (0-18 years) 303,175

Adult Poor 3,885

Disabled 9,557

Elderly 59,860

Pregnant/Lactating 1,572

PAD/Poor Relief 12,151

Total 390,200

Introduction - Conditionality

• School Attendance &

Health Centre Visits

Introduction - Payments

Equality & Non-discrimination

Improvements in the application and selection process:

Combining referral and self-targeting programme application

Redevelopment of the MIS

Introduction of Service Standards

Introduction of an Appeals process and dual cut off scores

Addressing issues of gender inequality in PATH households

Introduction of differentiated benefits December 2008

Equality & Non-discrimination

Reviewing conditionalities:

Introduction of base benefit in 2010

Exploring the revision of health conditionalities and data collection methods

Benefit Payments:

Benefit Amounts

Benefit Review Mechanism

Development and utilization of Operations Manual

Introduction of Service Standards

Conducting Focus Groups and Customer Service Surveys

Incentivize programme beneficiaries: established rewards programme

Introduction of Steps to Work Programme

Expanded Payment Options in 2007

Participation and Empowerment

Accountability and Transparency

Public Education and Training

Employing different communication strategies depending on target audience:

General public vs beneficiaries

Public forums

Media

Reduce possibility for stigma and discrimination and get Buy-in:

Training of partners

Involving partners in programme management

Complaints and Redress Mechanisms

Utilize various mechanisms for registering complaints dependent on whether the complaint is specific to a beneficiary or general to programme

Mechanisms to receive and/or track complaints

Complaints mechanism in the BMIS

Web site redesign

Toll free numbers, telephone lines in each parish

Focus group discussions and surveys

Advanced Legislative of the Programme

National Assistance Bill

Institutional Arrangements:

Multi-sectoral response: “joined up government”

Cabinet: Policy

Ministries of Labour & Social Security, Education, Postal Corporation: Programme Implementation

Rigorous Monitoring & Evaluation Framework

Evidence based approaches to the delivery of policy and programme

Establishment of indicators and timely reporting on progress made

Investment in Management Information System which allows for better tracking and reporting of data.

Introduction of Service Standards

Progressive and Non-Regressive

Programme Development

Progressive and Non-Regressive Programme Development

Support Mechanisms has enabled the programme:

to transition two political administrations

The programme has had structured support through the Government’s fiscal management arrangements and has been provided with adequate fiscal space to deliver benefits to all registered clients.

Serves as an access point through which other support services can be accessed:

2008 introduced policy which required that children in PATH households attending Government supported schools receive free meals at school

Prior to Universal free health and education policy, PATH beneficiaries received these services

Progressive and Non-Regressive Programme Development

Budget Support for the Expansion of the Programme has been maintained:

Inception: 236,000 (2002) to 360,000 (2008)

Current registration of 390,000

Exit Strategies:

Recertification after 4 years of enrolment

Natural Attrition

Introduction of Steps to Work

Conclusions

Several Gains made by PATH to implement the programme from a human rights approach:

- Mobilize resources to provide benefits for the most vulnerable of the Jamaican society

- Improve service delivery,

- Implement systems and procedures to facilitate accountability, transparency

- empower beneficiaries through various medium to take active part in their human capital development.

Conclusions However, there is scope for more work to be done

to enhance efficiency gains already achieved by the programme:

• Coverage gaps:

Elderly, Salaried Workers:

Social Pensions (universal or means-tested);

Unemployment Insurance (contributory or non-contributory)

Slow pace of legislative reform: National Assistance Bill

Innovative methods of collecting compliance information