Ministry of Social Services and Community Development

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

SOCIAL SAFETY NET REFORM

September, 2013

OVERVIEW

The reform of the Government’s Social Safety Net began in 2002

Dr. Lorraine Blank’s study of the Safety Net of the Bahamas

2001 Survey of Living Conditions, 9.3% of the population living below the poverty line

2013 Household Expenditure Survey conducted – new poverty line to be determined

OBJECTIVE

The objectives of the Social Safety Net Reform Project to reduce poverty and improve human capital accumulation

oHealth conditions

oEducation conditions

OBJECTIVES CONT’D

To improve the effectiveness of the social programmes in the Department of Social ServicesoManagement information system (MIS)

oImproved Targeting Mechanism – one instrument

oMonitoring and evaluation of the programmes

oBetter service delivery

Objective cont’d

The consolidation of existing cash and in-kind programmes (food, financial assistance - rent, utilities, school uniforms) into a CCT

Status

Implementation of a Proxy Mean Test (PMT)– pilot of the PMT administered on four (4) islands – Grand Bahama, Eleuthera, and Cat island, May 2013• PMT indicators for rural and urban areas

different

• Appeals for persons not approved by the PMT

• There will be one Appeals Committee (nationally)

Proxy Means Test Pilot being administer at the Wulff Road Center

FOCUS ON CHANGING BEHAVIOUR TO PROMOTE HUMAN CAPITAL

Improve educational achievement• School attendance

• tutoring classes for those falling below a 2.0 GPA

• graduation from high school

Cont’d

Promote healthier lifestyles• Attendance at prenatal clinic

• Attendance at well child care clinic

• Visit with a nutritionist

ADMINISTRATION

The Ministry of Social Services and Community Development is the executing agency for the project

The CCT will be managed by a Cash Grant Unit

The Cash Grant Unit will serve as the Project Execution Unit (PEU) and headed by a Cash Grant Manager/Project Director

SUPPORTING AGENCIES

MINISTRY OF HEALTH MINISTRY OF EDUCATION MINISTRY OF FINANCE

• Department of Information Technology (MIS)

• Department of Statistics – Household Expenditure Survey, Poverty Maps, Proxy Means Test

SUPPORTING AGENCIES CONT’D

DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Loan with Inter American Development Bank – to finance the Project Phase. Government of the Bahamas will finance transfers to beneficiaries to ensure the programme is sustained

Payment Method geographically some islands areas are cash (no bank facilities)

Payments to beneficiaries in these areas to be determined