Many Helping Hands

1. Many Helping Hands Yap Mui Teng Senior Research Fellow Institute of Policy Studies, Singapore

2. Welfare Philosophy • Self – reliance • give a man a fish, he eats for a day; teach him to fish, he eats for a lifetime • According to the government • “Singapore does not believe in welfarism … it favours an approach which is built upon the state fostering community and self-help and galvanising that as a resource and strength to build a cohesive society

3. Philosophy (contd.) • “We believe in helping those who cannot keep pace with the progress made by the rest of the population by providing a supportive network of resources and services that they can draw upon to become self-reliant • “The philosophy behind this approach is that whilst the government and community can help the less fortunate, there must be some sharing of responsibility – the less fortunate must want to be helped; they must want to improve their lives”.

4. ‘Many helping hands’ approach • Family is the first line of support • Community, comprising a network of social service agencies, community self-help groups, Community Development Councils (CDCs), etc • Government • planner, regulator and provider • Private sector

5. Many helping hands (contd.) • 4-pronged Strategy of helping • Preventive and developmental services • Anticipating and tackling problems before they surface • Helping the disadvantaged to be as independent as possible • Helping underachievers level up

6. Many helping hands (contd.) • In helping the less fortunate, Singapore believes that everyone has a responsibility to help the disadvantaged. • The aim is to foster a caring and compassionate society by encouraging those who are able, to help those who are less able … a partnership among the people, the government, the community and civic organisations.

7. Many helping hands (contd.) • In Singapore’s multi-ethnic setting, it is important that mutual help and support cut across ethnic, language and socio-economic groups.

8. Family Support • Building strong families • Family values • Legislative and administrative measures • E.g. Maintenance of Parents Act; topping up of CPF accounts, use of Medisave for medical care of family members • Procedural measures • E.g. WAP cases

9. Community • Providers • Community Development Councils • Grassroots organisations • Voluntary welfare organisations • Charitable institutions, philanthropic organisations • Businesses, stall holders • Schools

10. Community (contd.) • Services provided • Financial aid, food coupons, grocery vouchers, etc – typically short term and small amount • Links to jobs, training • Links to authorities e.g. housing authority, utilities authority, town councils, schools • Case management • Community outreach

11. Government • Financial assistance schemes • Public Assistance Scheme / Special Grant • Interim (Short-term) Financial Assistance Scheme • Rent and Utilities Assistance Scheme • Home Ownership Plus Education Scheme • Work Assistance Programme • Kindergarten Financial Assistance Scheme • Student Care Free Assistance Scheme • Centre-based Financial Assistance Scheme for Child Care

12. Government (contd.) • Government also funds developmental and operating costs (partial) of Voluntary Welfare Organisations • Government also plays planner and regulator role

13. Government (affiliated) • Community Development Councils (5) • National Council of Social Service • Statutory board under the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) • Community Chess • Fundraising arm of NCSS • National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC)

14. End