1. Saint Lucia March 23, 2015 Government of the Virgin Islands OECS Social Protection Technical Committee Meeting (OSPTC) Progress Report

2.  BIG PICTURE: Country’s Strategic Priorities  Social Protection Reform Interventions  Programme Updates  Youth and Development  SWOT Analysis  Plans for the way forward – Recommendations Content

3. The BIG PICTURE: BVI Government MTFP Strategic Priorities Results AreasOutcomes 1An improved standard of living 2Improved overall social services programmes and healthcare 3Strengthened educational sector 4An improved economy 5Improved communications and infrastructure 6Protected borders and enhanced law, order and public safety 7Reformed public sector 8Strengthened international relations

4. The BIG PICTURE: Ministry of Health & Social Development Strategic Priorities 1.Strengthen the leadership, governance and performance of the health system 2.Improve the quality and accessibility of health care services 3. Maintain clean, safe and healthy communities 4. Promote gender equity, social justice and the progressive realization of human rights 4. Promote gender equity, social justice and the progressive realization of human rights 5.Establish a sustainable, comprehensive and integrated Social Protection system

5. Social Protection Reform Interventions SOCIAL SAFETY NETS  Public Assistance Act, 2013  Expanded eligibility criteria  Increased the types of assistance provided; eg. food, utilities, housing, childcare, funeral and burial expenses  Modernized the manner in which assistance is granted; eg. cheque, direct deposit or any other manner  Enhanced the Public Assistance Register  Introduced Public Assistance Appeal Board

6. Social Protection Reform Interventions CHILD PROTECTION  National Plan of Action for Children (drafted)  Early Intervention Programme designed  Child Protection Protocol signed  Child Protection in Sports Programme launched  Domestic Violence Act, 2011  Status of Children Act, 2014  Child Maintenance and Access Bill (drafted)  Adoption Act (pending)  Child Protection Act (pending)  Juvenile Justice legislation (under review)

7. Social Protection Reform Interventions  Mental Health Policy & Strategy  National Gender Policy  Social Security (Amendment) Act, 2014 provides for a National Health Insurance System  Minimum Wage review underway  Disaster Relief Policy drafted  Healthy Ageing Study  Disability Study

8. ProgrammeStatus Duration of Program me Programme Owner Focal PointSummary UpdateIssues & Risks Child Protection in Cricket Youth Programme On-going West Indies Cricket Board and UNICEF Social Development Department Social Worker attended one day training in Antigua March 2014. Trainer was provided a Fair play manual, brochures, videos, pre-test and post –test Conducted training with coaches September 2014 Plans in place to train additional Coaches Ensuring full participation of Physical Education Teachers and coaches actively engaged in youth sports Projects in progress Progress Update

9. ProgrammeStatus Duration of Programme Programme Owner Focal PointSummary UpdateIssues & Risks Healthy Ageing Policy On-going MH&SD Healthy Ageing Committee, SDD Healthy Ageing Study conducted Currently reviewing the report; developing TORs for a Healthy Ageing Policy Consultancy Availability of funding National Policy on Persons with Disabilities On-goingMH&SDDeputy Secretary Disability Study conducted Availability of technical expertise Projects in progress Progress Update

10. ProgrammeStatus End Date Duration of Program me Programme Owner Focal PointSummary UpdateIssues & Risks National Plan of Action for Children On- going June 2015 MH&SD Deputy Secretary NPAC drafted with assistance from DFID consultants Creating a logframe for the Action Plan Plan to be finalized following completion of the Situational Analysis by UNICEF Ensuring inclusion of children in the consultation process and buy-in across sectors Projects in progress Progress Update

11. ProgrammeStatus Duration of Programme Programme Owner Focal PointSummary UpdateIssues & Risks Child Protection Protocol On-goingMH&SDSDD Child Protection Protocol signed Training conducted with implementation partners and key stakeholders Continuing with the implementation of a communication plan Continuous training necessary Implementation partners to develop internal agency guidelines for staff Projects in progress Progress Update

12. ProgrammeStatus End Date Duration of Programme Programme Owner Focal Point Summary UpdateIssues & Risks Juvenile Justice Strategy On- going MHSDPS Review of Juvenile Justice System conducted Technical assistance sought to develop a comprehensive JJ Strategy Joint programming across social protection and justice agencies Projects in progress Progress Update

13. ProgrammeStatus End Date Duration of Programme Programme Owner Focal Point Summary UpdateIssues & Risks Early Intervention Programme On – going Social Development Department Deputy Secretary Proposal drafted for submission to Cabinet Budgetary Limitations Labour Force Survey On- going 2015-2016 Central Statistics Office Director of Central Statistics Office Field work completed Data being processed Report to be submitted by April 30, 2015 Field work/ data collection Projects in progress Progress Update

14. ProgrammeStatus Duration of Program me Programme Owner Focal PointSummary UpdateIssues & Risks Early Childhood Programme ME&C Early Childhood Centers/ Quality assessment conducted on all early childhood centers Report completed on the quality assessment conducted General feedback shared with key stakeholders Currently engaged in individual feedback Concerns raised regarding activities/programmes taking place in the Centers Progress Update Programmes in progress

15. Youth and Development Virgin Islands Youth Policy and Strategy Framework approved in Cabinet and tabled in House of Assembly Challenges of youth were identified in youth policy : Lack of mechanism by which youth can give opinions on issues that affect them Rising crime Unemployment The global economic crises and contractions in jobs Technology has contributed to crises of access and identity

16. Youth and Development Challenges of youth cont’d The shifting values system and deteriorating family structures Violence in schools Substance abuse High incidence of lifestyle related diseases The pressures of modern living The appeal of instant gratification

17. Youth and Development Needs of the Youth Quality education and training. Decent work and livelihood opportunities. Opportunity to contribute to and live in a safe and secure society. Quality sports and recreational activities as an integral part of development and wellbeing. Quality programmes and services that cater to young people’s physical, mental, and emotional wellness. A strong sense of national pride and belonging, and opportunities to volunteer their talents and skills to enhance their own wellbeing, and community.

18. Youth and Development Role that youth can play in the development of the Country The following bodies will be established where youth will be able to participate more meaningfully: Virgin Islands Youth Commission National Youth Council National Youth Parliament

19. SWOT ANALYSIS People, Process, Systems Considerable progress in strengthening the policy and legislative framework Multi-sectoral coordinating committee in place (COHSOD) Limited institutional capacity, including lack of administrative data systems Legislative framework lacks appropriate social services delivery system Uncoordinated ‘assistance grants’ programmes across various agencies Absence of beneficiary targeting instruments Ineligibility to participate in some Regional initiatives Relationships with development partners eg. UN agencies, EU, OECS Commission, DFID etc. Lessons from the experiences of other countries in the Region Political commitment to matters of social protection Economic vulnerability StrengthsWeakness Opportunities Threats

20. The Way Forward Where do we go from here? Conduct a Social Safety Net Assessment Develop policies and operational manuals for social protection programmes Establish a central beneficiary register  UNICEF/DFID Project - Child Friendly Budgeting exercise - Situational Analysis of Children and their Families

21. The Way Forward Where do we go from here? Conduct Establishment Survey (examining supply side of labour force) Repeat labour force survey in 2016 to include a new module measuring poverty (using MPM) Develop a comprehensive social protection framework