GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

MINISTRY OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

EXPERIENCES ON INTER-AMERICAN COOPERATION IN PROMOTING IMPROVED SOCIAL PROTECTION

STRATEGIES IN THE REGION

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO’S EXPERIENCE – TARGETED CONDITIONAL CASH TRANSFER

PROGRAMME (TCCTP)

THE BEAUTIFUL ISLANDS OF THE REPUBLIC OF

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

PURPOSE OF THE PRESENTATION

To present the Targeted Conditional Cash Transfer Programme (TCCTP); Trinidad and Tobago’s initiative and experience as it pertains to Conditional Cash Transfer Programs.

OVERVIEW OF THE OVERVIEW OF THE TARGETED CONDITIONAL TARGETED CONDITIONAL

CASH TRANSFER CASH TRANSFER PROGRAMME (TCCTP) IN PROGRAMME (TCCTP) IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGOTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

OVERVIEW OF TCCTP Overview of TCCTP

- Background- Objectives- Programme Description- Challenges- Achievements to date

The New Approach- Adaptation of the Puente Programme

PROGRAMME BACKGROUND

July 16, 2005, GORTT appointed a Ministerial Sub-Committee to develop recommendations for addressing T&T 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.

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.)

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 Government’s social programmes.

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.

PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES(OVERALL)

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.

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.

TARGET AUDIENCECitizens 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.

THE STIPULATED AMOUNTS

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.

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

Financial Literacy Sensitization –NFLPSANGRE GRANDE REGION

DEVELOPMENTAL TRAINING GROW BOX TECHNOLOGY

– COUVA REGION

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

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.

PROGRAMME LOGIC

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.

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.

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