I.S.E. E. Bridge Pilot Project Launch MINISTRY OF SOCIAL CARE, CONSTITUENCY EMPOWERMENT AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BARBADOS I.S.E. E. Bridge Pilot Project Launch July 29, 2011

The Puente (Bridge) Model The Puente Programme is seen as a best practice developed in Chile and used by many countries. It was used by the OAS in a Horizontal Technical Cooperation Programme for the Caribbean , with a useful framework and point of reference for the adaptation of concept and materials to the Caribbean reality.

Participating Countries Phase I (2007-2009) Jamaica Trinidad and Tobago St. Lucia Phase II(2009 to present) Barbados St. Kitts and Nevis Suriname St. Vincent and the Grenadines

What is the I.S.E.E. Bridge Programme An initiative within the Ministry of Social Care’s Poverty Alleviation and Reduction Programme, overseen by the Inter Ministry Task Force to Monitor and Strengthen the Social Safety Net and involving several Ministries/agencies A household intervention programme with a goal transform the lives of poor and vulnerable household members. The first phase of the programme will be a two year pilot project commencing in October , 2011.

Why the I.S.E.E. Bridge Programme? Poor and vulnerable are not well targetted in current Social Protection Network System System is generally reactive. Evidence of a cycle of inter-generational poverty and pockets of poverty Existence of a dependency syndrome, influenced by a learned helplessness, among users of the social services. Clients not totally engaged and are showing little autonomy. Existing lack of co-ordination among social service providers, and weak reporting monitoring and evaluation systems.

Significance of I.S.E.E. Bridge Programme I.S.E.E. is a strategy developed in Barbados since 2008 that will encourage the movement of persons from a state of dependency to empowerment, in four areas (I.S.E.E.) of critical intervention. i. Identification/Assessment ii. Stabilization iii. Enablement iv. Empowerment

SYMBOLISM OF THE BRIDGE A gateway to social inclusion and integration A conduit for connection to opportunities that are being offered in the wider society. Improvement and enhancement of delivery of services to the poor and vulnerable Improved coordination among State institutions.

SYMBOLISM OF THE BRIDGE cont’d Connects individuals within households to the centre of the programme by: Building a Road for Individual Development: towards the Goal of Empowerment

Main Adjustments and the Context of Changes Oversight Committee Encouragement of Civil Society to use this new ISEE approach in their programmes Need for greater transparency Wider stakeholder participation Wider coverage of poor and vulnerable households To fully “Barbadianise” the initiative while embracing the Chilean Model as a best practice. MODIFIED WORK PLAN SSN Expanded Committee Key role of Household Facilitator Selection of local Trainers. 30 households 10 households INITIAL WORK PLAN Country Team input INITIAL WORK PLAN Discussions to secure buy-in -Social Policy Cabinet -S.S.N Reps -Frontline Workers -C.S.O reps Emphasis on client capacity building MSCD-Management

What is the I.S.E.E. Bridge Pilot Project? The Pilot project will target thirty (30) households. A holistic approach to the development of the household members will be utilized. Interventions will seek to reduce the risks to households in the areas of Vital Statistics, Education and Human Resource Development, Health Promotion , Family Dynamics, Housing Conditions, Employment, and Income (7 Pillars). Personal Development, Work Experience/Skills Enhancement, Life Skills and Micro Enterprise Development will be facilitated.

What is the I.S.E.E. Bridge Pilot Project cont’d? The project will rely mainly on existing social safety nets in most instances, through collaboration with and referrals to State agencies and civil society. A database of Social Safety Net Services prepared by the Bureau of Social Policy Research and Planning will be a key referral tool A Priority Attention System will be carefully designed to facilitate timely access to State services.

The Goal of the I.S.E.E. Bridge Pilot Project To break the cycle of intergenerational poverty and transform the lives of members of the thirty poor and vulnerable households

Definition of Intergenerational Poverty The major criterion which will qualify a household to enter the Programme is intergenerational poverty. For the purpose of the Programme, we will define intergenerational poverty as – a phenomenon in which there is deprivation of a social, economic, cultural, emotional nature, and where two generations or more are faced with major challenges mainly due to their parents’ background, and where the socio-economic conditions have not changed over two generations

Definition Cont’d This cycle traps families/households, and deprives them of resources, thus tackling poverty will involve the provision of support and opportunities aimed at sustaining and empowering members of a household. Usually manifesting weaknesses in health care, education , relationships,skills, life skills, job preparedness and living in very poor housing conditions

Pilot Project Target Group Thirty (30) poor and vulnerable households One household will be selected from each of the thirty constituencies , mainly from existing databases. Methodology Participatory interventions with the household members, with psycho social support. A Manual for 22 working sessions with the households over a 24 month period Training of Household Facilitators , Supervisors, and other personnel by a cadre of Barbadian and Caribbean professionals ,with the help of the OAS

Eligibility Criteria Households exhibiting signs of intergenerational poverty. In these cases records e.g. referral forms multiple agencies, will provide the evidence of the level of impoverishment. Households with vulnerable members such as small children, the disabled, the elderly and members who have physical or mental challenges. Households in which an extended family, or multiple households reside.

Eligibility Criteria Cont’d Households where there is risk of incestuous relationships, physical or emotional abuse, and attendant problems. Female * or male headed households in which there are several youth who are at risk to drugs – including alcohol; domestic or gender based violence; transactional sex; gambling or bullying. Households in which the head is single or unemployed or underemployed. * Trends to be reflected in the distribution of cases

Materials: Manuals, Game Board and Thematic Board As in the Puente model, central to the I.S.E.E Model is the use of a Manual which provides guidance to the Household Facilitator for every session with the household /family, and general directions to encourage the growth of the household / family towards empowerment. Supporting questions , materials, and exercises , provide for an interactive approach. In addition a Game Board is to be used which depicts the general life goals and the role of the Pillars in life , with separate Thematic Game Boards for each of the Pillars.

Manuals A translation of the Chilean Manual for Household Sessions was provided to participating countries by the IASPN

Caribbean Manual A Caribbean manual was subsequently developed by the OAS based on the experience of the first three countries in Phase I and made culturally relevant to the Caribbean

Barbadian Manual Barbados is now finalising its own Manual and Handbook for Trainers with the assistance of a Consultant. The final draft is expected by the middle of August. It will be reviewed by the Expanded Committee of the Social Safety Net Task Force.

Household Intervention Strategy (H.I.S.) Trainers Supervisors The operating framework for the ISEE Bridge Programme and Pilot Project MSCD and Inter Ministry Task Force to Monitor and Strengthen the Social Safety Net Poverty (Coordinator) Oversight Committee Social Safety Net-Expanded Committee Household Intervention Strategy (H.I.S.) Trainers Supervisors Household Facilitators Representation of Families’ Governmental and Non-governmental services and programmes Interaction and feedback Response to H.I.S interventions on behalf of Families Families/ Households Welfare Department I.S.E.E Bridge Unit

Desired Outcomes An integrated social policy framework for the delivery of social services. A targeted, sustainable and holistic approach to the provision of social services. Client engagement in problem solving accompanied by committed Government assistance. Co-responsibility and autonomy capacities that allow clients to be active change agents in their own lives and not passive recipients

Desired Outcomes cont’d The acquisition of skills pertinent to the manpower needs of the country as well as coping skills An inspired, innovative approach to client self-development More direct psycho-social support to the most vulnerable. Inclusion of the poor and vulnerable in the mainstream of Barbadian society.

THANK YOU! Prepared by Ministry of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development BARBADOS In collaboration with the Bureau of Social Policy, Research and Planning