PUENTE IN THE CARIBBEAN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

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

Goals-Caring Society The foundation of Trinidad and Tobago will be strong families and strong communities Poverty will be significantly reducedAll citizens will have access to adequate and affordable housing All citizens will be empowered to lead long, healthy lifestyles and have adequate access to an efficient healthcare delivery system The HIV/AIDS Epidemic will be contained and care will be provided for those infected and affected All citizens will have access to and participate in a sporting or recreational activity in keeping with our ‘Sport for All’ philosophy

 The issue of poverty is a challenging one and poverty alleviation needs focus and dedication.  Extensive research to add to the existing poverty reduction strategies was required.

Chile has been a pioneer in developing innovative social reforms that have been replicated throughout the world, including the developed world. Government is currently reviewing a model based on the Chilean Solidario System. This System addresses poverty in a holistic manner and is tailored to the needs of individual families. Vision 2020 Operational Plan

Commit to Trinidad and Tobago’s participation in the Puente in the Caribbean by reorienting and streamlining TCCTP according to the Puente Programme, where applicable. Strengthen the capacity of the programme to implement the conditional aspect of the programme through benchmarking against the Puente Programme. In keeping with the proposed decentralization of the delivery of social services, develop a comprehensive coordinated and integrated poverty reduction strategy based on the experiences of the Chile Solidario System that will be wider in scope than the TCCTP Programme.

Results Minister and other key stakeholders informed about Puente TCCTP reoriented and streamlined according to the Puente model Cabinet Approval to implement STEP-UP Formalization of relationship with MSD and key stakeholders Status Completed Completed-STEP-UP designed Completed-Cabinet approved the approach Started and is ongoing

Results A full complement of staff along with accommodation Fully trained staff in each Region. Readiness to implementProgramme Implemention Status Completed Started-will culminate with a one week training on STEP-UP To be ascertained-August 2009 September 2009

 In the transference Communication Gaps  Organizational Turnover of Staff Competing responsibilities

 Supporting legislative framework enhances the chances of success in the Puente Programme  The psycho-social support which is provided to the families is a critical success factor  The IT support is a key feature especially where the programme is implemented across agencies/Ministries and is a key transformational strategy.  Multi agencies/Ministries partnering in the initiative can reduce cost  Effective coordination and collaboration among key stakeholders  Passion of the family workers in Chile stands out.

Partners  Establish who are your partners  Establish their roles and responsibilities throughout the life cycle of the project  Use a collaborative approach in the design of the programme

Political/Institutional Support  Knowledge Sharing  Create the linkages with National and Corporate Developmental Goals and Objectives  Demonstrate the political usefulness of the programme as an innovative approach in the fight against poverty

Technical Needs/Requirement  Clinical understanding of the Puente  Expert advise from FOSIS/OAS  Coaching/Mentoring from Country Teams who participated in the pilot  Establish a network of support among the three new Caribbean countries  Early decision about whether you want to adapt or to adopt relevant parts of the Puente

 Dedicated, well trained and committed cadre of staff  Early stakeholder involvement and collaboration throughout the process.  Can reduce cost by reorienting an existing programme.  Incorporate your reality

Thank You