ANNUAL REPORT FOR FINANCIAL YEAR 2012

CONTENTS
MESSAGE FROM ACTING MINISTER FOR SOCIAL AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT OVERVIEW OF COMCARE
COMMUNITY CARE ENDOWMENT FUND COMCARE ASSISTANCE COMCARE OVER THE YEARS FY12 HIGHLIGHTS

2 4

COMCARE ASSISTANCE CONCLUDING REMARKS COMCARE STATISTICS FY2012 E FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR COMCAR ENDOWNMENT FUND

6 17 18 25

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COMCARE ANNUAL REPORT FOR FINANCIAL YEAR 2012 I 03

MESSAGE FROM ACTING MINISTER FOR SOCIAL AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT

The ComCare Endowment Fund, a key component of our social safety net, has helped many Singaporeans in need since 2005. As at end March 2013, there were 33,266 beneficiaries receiving help under ComCare. Within the financial year of 2012, more than $102 million was disbursed to assist needy Singaporeans and their families. As part of the caring community, MSF works closely with community partners to provide help to the needy, and ensure that those who need help know where to find it. MSF recognises the unique needs of individuals and families and that one size does not fit all. We have enhanced ComCare to allow for greater flexibility and for assistance to be more targeted. Our policies and programmes are now more responsive to the changing socio-demographic profiles of the needy. For instance, the Public Assistance (PA) scheme has evolved over the years. Besides increasing the amount of cash assistance in tandem with ground needs, MSF introduced two additional tiers of assistance to help PA clients with other needs such as medical or healthcare consumables. We will continue to focus on improving our service delivery. To bring assistance closer to the needy, we are setting up a network of Social Service Offices (SSOs) islandwide in the next 2 years. For a start, there will be four SSOs located in Kreta Ayer, Jalan Besar, Jurong West and Bukit Panjang / Choa Chu Kang by end 2013. Working closely with their partners and stakeholders, the SSOs will bring tailored and coordinated help to needy Singaporeans. By strengthening the network of help touch points and working with ComCare partners, I am confident that we can improve the way we deliver social assistance and support to beneficiaries. To make the child care subsidy application process efficient and seamless for parents and Child Care Centres, the ComCare child care subsidy has been merged with the universal child care subsidy under a single subsidy framework administered by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA). This ensures two-thirds of households can now benefit from higher child care subsidies. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all ComCare volunteers, partners and social service professionals for your steadfast support and dedication to help the needy. Our collective efforts will enable families to be the pillar of support for its members. Together, we can build an inclusive society - one with a heart for our fellow citizens, hope for a better future and a home for all.

Mr Chan Chun Sing Acting Minister for Social and Family Development July 2013

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OVERVIEW

OVERVIEW OF COMCARE
COMMUNITY CARE ENDOWMENT FUND
Minister (ComCare Fund) was launched by Prime The Community Care Endowment Fund l socia ide prov to s sustainable source of fund Lee Hsien Loong on 28 June 2005 as a Fund Care Com interest income generated from the assistance to needy Singaporeans. The is used to fund ComCare programmes. has the Community Care Endowment Fund Act, The ComCare Fund, established under the following objectives: e and ns and permanent residents of Singapor a. To provide assistance to Singapore citize to s cultie diffi r othe or who are in financial their family members living in Singapore enable them to: basic needs; i. attain sufficient income to meet their d by their children; ii. address the development issues face iii. facilitate their integration into society the the capacity of the community to undertake b. To develop programmes to enhance objectives set out above. ent. l capital of $250 million from the Governm The ComCare Fund started with an initia fund the 3, dic top-ups to the Fund. In April 201 Since then, the Government has made perio p. It now stands at $1.7 billion. received an additional $200 million top-u lies $102 million was disbursed to needy fami During Financial Year (FY) 2012 more than the Of this, $49.7 million was funded by under the various ComCare programmes. the nce amount was supplemented through ComCare Funds interest income. The bala ily Development (MSF). budget of the Ministry of Social and Fam

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COMCARE ASSISTANCE

To develop and nurture responsible individuals and families To assist clients who are work-able but need assistance to tide over a difficult time

COMCARE SHORT TERM ASSISTANCE

COMCARE MEDIUM AND LONG TERM ASSISTANCE

To help those who are not able to work integrate into the community To assist those who are temporarily or permanently unable to work through formal and informal networks

Provides developmental support for children from low income families to help them realise their potential and break out of the poverty cycle Child care, student care and kindergarten subsidies

COMCARE ASSISTANCE FOR CHILDREN

To help the community help the needy in their midst

SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY

Empowering the community by providingsupport to grassroot leaders, social enterprises and other community organisations helping the needy

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COMCARE OVER THE YEARS

FY 2005
Launch of ComCare

OVERVIEW

FY 2006

9 ComCare Local Networks set up

ComCare Short Term Assistance introduced

FY 2007

Rates of ComCare Long Term Assistance increased

Launch of ComCare Call

FY 2008

ComCare Long Term Assistance eligibility expanded

ComCare child care and Kindergarten subsidies increased

ComCare Short Term Assistance period extended

FY 2009

CCC ComCare Fund topped up by $1.5 million in 2 years

Increase in ComCare Long Term Assistance rates with additional help for children

ComCare child care and kindergarten subsidies increased

FY 2010

Expansion of eligibility for ComCare Long Term Assistance

ComCare 5th anniversary appreciation lunch and seminar

FY 2011

Rates of ComCare Long Term Assistance increased

ComCare child care and kindergarten subsidies increased

FY 2012

ComCare child care, student care and kindergarten subsidies increased

Expansion of eligibility for ComCare short and medium term assistance

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S T H IG L H IG H 2 1 0 FY2
GROUPS TO MORE NEEDY ultative EXTENDING HELP for the Citizens Cons sistance, as well as as m ter m ilies do not diu fam me y d t large need are short an tha mC e Co sur en the To for . g 00 ilin ,5 ce $1 50 The income sed to $1,700 from e criterion of up to $5 Fund (CCF), was rai , a per capita incom ion ter cri e y om the inc if Committees ComCare ld assisted d househo rean families will be s even after the revise inely needy Singapo nu fall through the crack ge t tha e sur en ll e enhancements wi was introduced. Thes need help. FOR CHILDREN RE ASSISTANCE CA M CO TO SS d kindergarten WIDENING ACCE care, student care an ild ch are mC Co the ilies. ed in April 2012 for ordable for larger fam criterion was introduc re accessible and aff mo s ce rvi se n rte A per capita income rga and kinde ComCare subsidies. ild care, student care also eligible for the w subsidies to make ch no are 75 $8 to pita incomes of up Families with per ca RE SUBSIDIES AND INFANT CA ces more affordable ENHANCED CHILD and infant care servi ild ch ke ma to ies Basic would raise subsid continue to receive a SF announced that it work, all parents will me fra y sid th wi In January 2013, M sub s w ilie ne r the Subsidy, fam income families. Unde . On top of the Basic es mm gra e pro Th . re for lower and middle ca idy t d infan ional Subs rates for child care an the form of an Addit nt in rt rre cu po sup the re at ilies mo idy fam e bs Su subsidies for low will receiv provided child care d e of $7,500 and be ha om inc ich ly wh , nth ies mo sid ies ss sid a gro are child care sub benefit from higher sub ll replace the ComC households can now of ds hir o-t tw Additional Subsidy wi to up tiative, d below. With this ini earning $3,500 an bsidy. on top of the Basic Su

OVERVIEW

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COMCARE ASSISTANCE
COMCARE SHORT TERM ASSISTANCE
ALSO KNOWN AS THE WORK SUPPORT PROGRAMME (WSP)

COMCARE MEDIUM TERM ASSISTANCE

ALSO KNOWN AS THE COMCARE TRANSITIONS (CCT)

ComCare short-term assistance is targeted at low-income families and individuals who may be unemployed or earning a low income and need temporary financial support. A Social Assistance officer will work with the family to develop a plan of action to improve their circumstances. The assistance may include cash grant and vouchers.

ComCare medium-term assistance is available to those who are temporarily unable to work (e.g. due to illness, care-giving responsibilities), are financially needy and have little or no family support. The assistance may include cash grant and vouchers.

6,123
households received ComCare Short Term assistance as at 31 March 2013

4,423
households received ComCare Medium Term assistance as at 31 March 2013

$24.45 MILLION
disbursed in FY2012

$17.4 MILLION
disbursed in FY2012

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COMCARE LONG TERM ASSISTANCE

ALSO KNOWN AS THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE (PA)

3,032
households received ComCare Long Term assistance as at 31 March 2013

ComCare long-term assistance is targeted at the most needy who are unable to work due to old age, illness or disability, have limited or no means of income, and have little or no family support. Beneficiaries receive a cash grant for their daily living expenses. They may also be linked up to community-based agencies for other assistance or services, such as home help, befriending and placement in day centres, to support their living in the community.

$15.64 MILLION
disbursed in FY2012

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COMCARE ASSISTANCE
COMCARE ASSISTANCE FOR CHILDREN
ComCare provides subsidies for kindergarten, child care and student care to support families in giving their preschool children an early start to education and providing adequate supervision to primary school children while their parents work.

PRESCHOOL FEE ASSISTANCE

ALSO KNOWN AS THE CENTRE BASED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR CHILD CARE (CFAC) AND THE KINDERGARTEN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SCHEME (KiFAS)

COMCARE STUDENT CARE SUBSIDIES

ALSO KNOWN AS THE STUDENT CARE FEE ASSISTANCE (SCFA)

The ComCare preschool subsidies make preschool education more affordable for low and lower middleincome families so that their children can have an early start to preschool education and development. Child care subsidies enables low-income parents with young children to go out to work and gives the children access to developmental opportunities in registered child care centres. Monthly childcare fee subsidies are provided to children aged below 7 years from families with working parents. This is in addition to the universal government child care subsidy. Kindergarten subsidies are targeted at making preschool education accessible and affordable for all families. Kindergarten and nursery fee subsidies are available for children from low-income families attending eligible, non-profit kindergartens.

ComCare provides monthly fee subsidies for children aged between 7 and 14 years from low-income families to attend student care centres (SCCs) while their parents are at work. These subsidies are also available to special needs students attending Special SCCs.

4,211
children received student care subsidies as at 31 March 2013

6,879
children received child care subsidies

$9.67 MILLION
disbursed in FY2012

8,598
children received kindergarten subsidies as at 31 March 2013

$35.2 MILLION
disbursed in FY2012

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SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY

ComCare provides support to various community agencies to empower the community to help the needy in Singapore.

19,134
cases received CCF assistance in FY2012

$3.5 MILLION
disbursed in FY2012

CITIZENS CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE (CCC) COMCARE FUND (CCF)

The CCF was created in recognition of the important role that grassroots organisations play in helping needy residents. It provides the grassroots leaders in the CCCs with the flexibility to disburse quick financial assistance to meet residents urgent and temporary needs. The type and amount of assistance rendered depend on the needs and circumstances of each resident.

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COMCARE ASSISTANCE
COMCARE CALL
a 24-hour, toll-free service to The ComCare Call provides aritans who want to help the direct the needy or good Sam s for social assistance. needy, to appropriate agencie rral helpline is manned by This 24/7 information and refe r who are conversant in the fou customer service executives s. mon Chinese dialect main languages as well as com attended to 28,509 calls. In FY2012, ComCare Call sought financial assistance, The majority of these callers ployment assistance. social services help, and em

ORT PROJECTS COMCARE SOCIAL SUPP FUND (CSPF)

grammes in place for the Although there are many pro be areas of concern that are disadvantaged, there might grammes.Organisations that not addressed by existing pro ity are better able to identify work closely with the commun as to meet these needs. these areas and propose ide port for organisations sup ComCare provides funding ting service gaps, meet exis g whose projects serve to plu e on an existing programme. an emerging need or improv 7. been disbursed since FY200 More than $3.4 million had

ND (CEF) COMCARE ENTERPRISE FU

disadvantaged in the community. ial enterprises which employ the soc for t por abusers, sup ing fund s vide The CEF pro illness, ex-offenders, former drug sons recovering from psychiatric per ies, blem bilit pro disa tiple with mul s son with per s This include reans from families viduals and low-income Singapo indi d oye mpl ion une ans lly exp nica for ses chro , youth-at-risk fund existing social enterpri scope of CEF was expanded to 2 social households. In Dec 2011, the ursed under CEF in FY2012 to disb ses. $37,500 was rpri ente ial soc new to CEF funding. d ition rde add awa purposes, in of which 5 were were assessed in FY2012, out als pos pro CEF 17 of l tota A enterprises.

Up skilling the Disabled and the Disadvantaged

Bettr Barista aims to empower women in need through training and equipping them with a lifelong skill of quality Barista skills, as certified internationally by the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA). In addition, Bettr Barista also emphasises on the physical, emotion and mental wellness of its beneficiaries through a series of team bonding and training programmes. Apart from the initial coffee academy, Bettr Barista has recently expanded into another coffee outlet at Aljunied.

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COMCARE LOCAL NETWORKS (CLN)

To strengthen the level of collaboration and coordination amongst these social service agencies, ComCare Local Networks (CLNs) were set up in 2006. CLNs serve as a platform for grassroots, VWOs and CDCs in a locality to work together to help ensure that the needy do not fall through the cracks. There were 9 CLNs in FY12. These CLNs organise various networking meetings with their partners and held outreach events to collaborate, share best practices, and refine existing referral protocols.

ComCare Local Network Highlights FY 2012

South West Cares Referral Guide was launched in February 2013 to raise awareness of the social service agencies and community resources available in the district and to reinforce the idea of closing the loops when cases are referred. More than 120 help agencies and Grassroots Organisations have received copies of the guide, which will help their volunteers and help professionals pinpoint the agencies that they can refer to. To date, 96 help agencies or about 1,000 staff/volunteers from Family Service Centres, self-help groups and Grassroots Organisations have benefited from the guide.

A series of district wide CLN networking was conducted as part of the One Singapore Conversation for North East CLN partners between September and December 2012. The networking session saw a turnout of over 100 community partners. They included Family Service Centres, Volunteer Welfare Organizations, schools, grassroots organizations, religious organizations and business leaders. The various partners shared on their concerns and highlighted needs of the ground and the resources available to assist the residents and one another. The partners also discussed on new initiatives on the ground.

The Central Singapore CLN 5th anniversary celebrations-cumCommunity Fair held on 26 May 2012, aimed to enhance our CLN system to embrace the notion of One Network, Many Touch Points and create a stronger sense of belonging for our CLN partners through: Better coordination among social services agencies Regular sharing of information, best practices and services Greater collaboration with each other in areas of common interests so as to leverage on each others strengths 150 guests comprising representatives from Voluntary Welfare Organisations, Grassroots Organisations, Self Help groups and Medical Institutions attended. The community fair, saw 15 community partners setting up booths to educate and share their services with the residents. Approximately 2,000 residents of Central Singapore district participated in the community fair.

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Under the Health Up for Kids @ South East programme, participating schools help to identify underweight or malnourished children from low-income families to receive regular nutritional food and beverages. This programme also aimed to educate students on the importance of choosing healthy food for their consumption. In FY 12, the programme helped 1,085 children from low income families.

The North West Care and Repair Programme, launched on 19 January 2013, mobilises and channels community and corporate resources to uplift the lives of needy families and vulnerable elderly residing at rental blocks in the North West district. The programme focuses on three areas, home safety and improvements, social wellness and healthy lifestyle. To date, the programme has engaged more than 500 corporate and community volunteers to reach out to about 1,500 needy households.

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CONCLUDING REMARKS

Child Care Seminar 2011

o 2011 50Plus Exp

ComCare Seminar 2012

als through In FY2012, MSF has reached out and assisted more families and individu refinements and ements enhanc made ComCare, compared to previous years. We have is needy the for ce assistan that to ComCare schemes and service delivery to ensure re ComCa our to e gratitud our more targeted and effective. MSF would like to express and als individu needy helping in community partners for their hard work and support families in Singapore. to work together With the support of our partners and the community, we will continue midst. our in to help more low-income families and individuals

Photos from Ministry of Social and Family Development

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COMCARE STATISTICS FY 2012

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COMCARE STATISTICS FY 2012

Figure 1: Number of cases receiving ComCare assistance as at end financial year1 from FY2008 to FY2012 35,000 30,000 25,000 20,000 15,000 10,000 5,000 0,00 FY2008 Long Term Assistance

19,688 17,170 10,330 10,408 11,646 10,546

5,856 2,886
FY2009

5,475 2,930
FY2010

4,714 2,942
FY2011

7,618 3,070
FY2012

3,032

Short & Medium Term Assistance

Assistance for Children

Figure 2: ComCare Disbursements from FY2008 to FY2012 (millions) 120.00

100.00

80.00

44.91

60.00

23.02
40.00

34.47 27.10 41.85

18.52 14.06 11.95

FY2008 Long Term Assistance FY2009

20.00

24.06 14.19
FY2010

16.62 13.27
FY2011

23.01 13.93
FY2012

0.00

15.64

Short & Medium Term Assistance

1

Assistance for Children

The financial year starts from 1 April of one year to 31 March the following year.

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ComCare Short Term assistance (Also known as Work Support Programme, WSP)
Figure 3 and 4 show the number of households receiving ComCare Short Term assistance and the disbursements in the past 5 financial years. The number of recipients and disbursement in FY 2012 were higher compared to FY 2011. This is likely to be due to slower economic growth and greater unemployment in 2012, as well as the increase in the income cut-off for Short Term Assistance.
Figure 3: Number of households receiving Short Term Assistance as at end financial year from FY2008 to FY2012

7,000

6,123
6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000

4,329
3,912 3,156 2,312

2,000 1,000 0 FY2008 FY2009 FY2010 FY2011 FY2012

Figure 4: Disbursements of Short Term Assistance from FY2008 to FY2012 (millions) 30.00

25.00

24.45

20.00

16.06
15.00

11.14
10.00

12.52 8.45

5.00

0.00

FY2008

FY2009

FY2010

FY2011

FY2012

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ComCare Medium term assistance (Also known as the ComCare Transition, CCT)
Figures 5 and 6 show the number of households receiving assistance for a medium term period and the amounts disbursed for the last 5 financial years. Similar to ComCare Short Term Assistance, the number of recipients and disbursement in FY 2012 were higher compared to FY 2011.

Figure 5: Number of households receiving Medium Term Assistance as at end financial year in FY2008 to FY2012 5,000 4,500 4,000 3,500 3,000 2,500 2,000 1,500 1,000 500 0 FY2008 FY2009 FY2010 FY2011 FY2012

4,423

3,289

2,319 1,944

2,402

Figure 6: Disbursements of Medium Term Assistance from FY2008 to FY2012 (millions) 20.00 18.00 16.00 14.00 12.00 10.00 8.00 6.00 4.00 2.00 0.00 FY2008 FY2009 FY2010 FY2011 FY2012

17.40

10.49 8.01 8.17

2.92

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ComCare Long Term Assistance (Also known as Public Assistance, PA)

Figures 7 and 8 show the number of households receiving Long Term Assistance and the amounts disbursed from FY2008 to FY2012. The number of cases has remained stable over the years.

Figure 7: Number of households receiving Long Term Assistance as at end financial year in FY2008 to FY2012

3,100 3,050 3,000 2,950 2,900 2,850 2,800 2,750 FY2008 FY2009 FY2010

3,070 3,032

2,930 2,886

2,942

FY2011

FY2012

Figure 8: Disbursements of Long Term Assistance from FY2008 to FY2012 (millions) 18.00 16.00 14.00 12.00 10.00 8.00 6.00 4.00 2.00 0.00 FY2008 FY2009 FY2010 FY2011 FY2012

15.64 14.19 11.95 13.27 13.93

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ComCare child care subsidies (Also known as the Centre Based Financial Assistance for Childcare, CFAC)
Figures 9 and 10 show the number of children receiving the ComCare child care subsidies and the amounts disbursed from FY2008 to FY2012. The higher number of beneficiaries and disbursement in FY2012 is due to the enhancements made to CFAC in FY2012.
Figure 9: Number of children receiving ComCare child care subsidies as at end financial year in FY2008 to FY2012 8,000 7,000 6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000 0 FY2008 FY2009 FY2010 FY2011 FY2012

6,879 5,666

2,728

3,196

3,014

Figure 10: Disbursements of ComCare child care subsidies from FY2008 to FY2012 (millions) 30.00

25.00

24.20

20.00

17.79

15.00

12.28 10.07 7.41

10.00

5.00

0.00 FY2008 FY2009 FY2010 FY2011 FY2012

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ComCare kindergarten subsidies (Also known as Kindergarten Financial Assistance Scheme, KiFAS)
Figures 11 and 12 show the number of children receiving ComCare kindergarten subsidies and the amounts disbursed from FY2008 to FY2012.
Figure 11: Number of children receiving ComCare kindergarten subsidies as at end financial year in FY2008 to FY2012 10,000 9,000 8,000 7,000 6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000 0 FY2008 FY2009 FY2010 FY2011 FY2012

9,016 7,602 7,212 6,462

8,598

Figure 12: Disbursements of ComCare kindergarten subsidies from FY2008 to FY2012 (millions) 12.00

11.06 8.99 7.28 9.31

11.03

10.00

8.00

6.00

4.00

2.00

0.00 FY2008 FY2009 FY2010 FY2011 FY2012

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR COMCARE ENDOWMENT FUND FY2012

MINISTRY OF SOCIAL AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY CARE ENDOWMENT FUND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2013

CONTENTS Statement by Management Independent Auditors Report Statement of Financial Position Receipts and Expenditure Statement Notes to the Financial Statements 26 27 29 30 31

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NOTES

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