GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO MINISTRY OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

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GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND
TOBAGOMINISTRY OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

• EXPERIENCES ON INTER-AMERICAN COOPERATION IN
  PROMOTING IMPROVED SOCIAL PROTECTION STRATEGIES
  IN THE REGION
  
• TRINIDAD AND TOBAGOS EXPERIENCE
• TARGETED CONDITIONAL CASH TRANSFER PROGRAMME
  (TCCTP)
  

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THE BEAUTIFUL ISLANDS OF THE REPUBLIC OF
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
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PURPOSE OF THE PRESENTATION

• To present the Targeted Conditional Cash Transfer
  Programme (TCCTP) Trinidad and Tobagos
  initiative and experience as it pertains to
  Conditional Cash Transfer Programs.

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OVERVIEW OF THE TARGETED CONDITIONAL CASH
TRANSFER PROGRAMME (TCCTP) IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
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OVERVIEW OF TCCTP

• Overview of TCCTP
• - Background
• - Objectives
• - Programme Description
• - Challenges
• - Achievements to date
• The New Approach
• - Adaptation of the Puente Programme

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PROGRAMME BACKGROUND

• July 16, 2005, GORTT appointed a Ministerial
  Sub-Committee to develop recommendations for
  addressing TT rising food prices.
  
• Cabinet agreed to accept short-term, short to
  medium term and long term measures of the
  Sub-Committee.
  
• One short term recommendation was the
  introduction of the TCCTP.
  

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PROGRAMME BACKGROUND

• In designing the programme several models were
  examined.
  
• The Puente Programme significantly influenced the
  design of the TCCTP.
  
• (Trinidad and Tobago embraced the opportunity to
  learn and build capacity in the adaptation and
  implementation of a model based on the Puente
  Programme.)

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PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION

• The Programme via the use of a debit card allows
  recipients for and on behalf of the
  household/family to receive on a monthly basis a
  credit towards the purchase of food.
• The TCCTP provides social protection by
  supporting the nutritional and food security to
  vulnerable households.
  
• The TCCTP is developmental and conditional and
  seeks to empower recipients through one of
  Governments social programmes.
  

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PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION

• Over 23,000 families benefit from the TCCTP as of
  2008.
  
• 16,279 of this amount were former SHARE
  recipients.
  
• The TCCTP replaced the SHARE Programme.

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PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES(OVERALL)
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PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES

• To provide targeted conditional cash transfers to
  eligible families.
  
• To give TCCTP recipients and their family the
  ability to purchase food items they need to meet
  the daily nutritional and other requirements of
  their households.
• To ensure all employable beneficiaries are
  registered with an employment agency to actively
  seek employment.
  

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PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES

• To engage a minimum of 80 of recipients in Life
  Skills training programmes such as family and
  budgetary planning.
  
• To assist the family with a developmental plan
  for improving the social and economic
  well-being.
  
• To engage a minimum of 50 of recipients in
  employment training programmes within the first
  two years of the programme.
  

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TARGET AUDIENCE

• Citizens of T T 18 years and over who
• Make up households that fall on or below the
  poverty line
  
• Are deemed indigent and vulnerable persons and
  families in need
  
• Have limited or no income.

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THE STIPULATED AMOUNTS
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ADJUSTMENT TO STIPULATED AMOUNTS

• In light of the increase in the cost of basic
  food items globally, the GORTT, in addition to
  expanding local food production, increased the
  Cash Transfers in each category by approximately
  35.
• This would ensure that price increases in staples
  do not compromise the nutritional needs of the
  indigent and vulnerable clients.
  

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DEVELOPMENTAL /CONDITIONAL COMPONENT

• TRAINING
• Commencement of Training to Clients
• Grow Box Technology
• Financial Literacy Sensitization NFLP
• Scheduled to begin in July 2008
• Home Back Yard Gardening - assisting clients to
  supplement their household expenditure on food.
  
• Effective Parenting Family Planning
• Financial Literacy Training
• Household Management
• Anger Management
• Life Skills Training
• Adult Literacy

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Financial Literacy Sensitization NFLPSANGRE
GRANDE REGION
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DEVELOPMENTAL TRAINING GROW BOX TECHNOLOGY
COUVA REGION
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DEVELOPMENTAL /CONDITIONAL COMPONENT

• Commencement of Training to Staff
• Etiquette for Communicating with Persons with
  Disabilities - DAU
  
• Leadership Training for Community Organizations
• Scheduled to begin in August 2008
• HIV/AIDS Sensitization Training
• Social Investigative Skills
• Customer Service
• Train the Trainer in Financial Literacy

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DEVELOPMENTAL /CONDITIONAL COMPONENT

• EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVES
• Assistance to clients provided also in the form
  of
  
• Emergency Case Fund via Social Welfare
  Department
  
• Micro Enterprise Grant (MEG) for training and
  small business establishment purposes
  
• Referrals Counselling Family Services,
  Housing, Education
  
• Job Placements.

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PROGRAMME LOGIC
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SOME ACHIEVEMENTS

• On- going assistance to families for household
  items under the Emergency Case Fund (ECF).
  
• Improvement to the socio-economic conditions of
  clients who have accessed the Fund by being a
  beneficiary of the Programme.
  
• Interested clients in receipt of the Micro
  Enterprise Grant (MEG). Commencement of training
  and establishing of small businesses (for
  agricultural and animal rearing) by clients.
• Commencement of developmental component.

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CHALLENGES

• Willingness of a small percentage of clients to
  access the Cash Transfer and developmental
  initiatives because of cultural socialization
  (masculine pride, stigma, fear of being
  ridiculed).
• Operational.
• Lack of awareness of Programme by some persons.

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TESTIMONY OF A CLIENT

• When I finally decided to come to the TCCTP
  Office, I was at my wits end. I felt like I had
  to build up all my courage to stoop to beg for
  food. I was frustrated, I had no money, and I had
  no job. I felt like giving up with life. When I
  came to the TCCTP Office I could not hold back
  the tears. The tears flowed down my cheeks as I
  shared my story with the officer. When the
  officer explained what the programme was all
  about, I then realized that it was not about
  begging for food, but it was all about helping me
  to develop and getting a better life. The officer
  counseled me, kept in contact with me until I
  received the card. I had five CXC Subjects, but
  was never successful in gaining employment. The
  officer assisted me in seeking employment with
  the Division of Labor. I was given a temporary
  position as a Clerical Assistant. I was
  interviewed and was successful to commence The
  Nursing Assistant Programme. Presently I am in my
  second year of training. My life was changed from
  the day I set foot in the TCCTP Office. I will
  never forget the kindness and the professionalism
  that was meted out to me. I will never stop
  saying thanks to TCCTP. Thank you.
• Tobago Client