(BIS Photo/Raymond A. Bethel, Sr.)
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NASSAU, The Bahamas -- The
Hon. Melanie S. Griffin, M.P. Minister of Social Services and Community
Development introduced the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme called RISE at
the Community Meeting for the programme’s pilot
on Wednesday evening, June 24,
2015 at Uriah McPhee Primary School.
The Town Meeting provided
an update on plans for the introduction of the Conditional Cash Transfer
Programme, RISE, which is part of the Social
Safety Net Reform Programme being undertaken by the Government through the
Department of Social Services.
Minister Griffin pointed
out that last year, the Department celebrated its 50th Anniversary and it has
grown tremendously over these years. A lot has changed, she said, in 50 years,
with social issues today being much more complex than they were 50 years ago
and the demand for services continuing to increase.
Minister Griffin allowed
that no doubt, the next 50 years will bring about even more changes and greater
demands for new and additional services.
She said: “Every so often,
it is important to pause and reflect on what one is doing to determine if it is
meeting the intended purpose or if it can be improved upon. A few years ago, we
undertook a study of our social welfare services and determined the need for
some reforms to bring about greater efficiency in the delivery of services and
to ensure that the persons who are truly in need are being assisted. It also
determined the need for clients to become more involved in actions that could
help to break the cycle of poverty.
“A major reform was
implemented last November when we introduced the prepaid card for food
assistance and beneficiaries of the Wulff Road Centre were the first to receive
the card.
“We are now preparing to
implement another component of the reform process, the introduction of a
Conditional Cash Transfer Programme and
tonight, you will be provided with
information on this programme. We will also be changing the way persons are
determined to be eligible for the CCT. This will involve a new application form
and process, which you will also hear more about
tonight. We expect that this
new format will better assist in determining those who are truly in need of
assistance.”
Minister Griffin said that with
the introduction of the CCT, clients, especially those with children, will have
to meet certain conditions. These conditions are designed to improve the
education and health of their children.
“This is an exciting time
for us at Social services and once again, the Wulff Road Centre is the first
for the pilot of the CCT.
“I ask you therefore to
give the team your full support in this venture
and join hands with us and
as our slogan says, Together, we RISE!”