MCYS MEDIA RELEASE NO: 16/2006

DATE OF ISSUE: 31/03/2006

PRESS RELEASE

COMCARE TO EXPAND NETWORKS TO

REACH OUT TO AND BETTER HELP NEEDY
Needy Singaporeans will be helped more effectively through two new
ComCare initiatives launched today. The ComCare Local Networks and
ComCare Connection programmes will also further strengthen community
involvement in reaching out to and helping those in need.

ComCare Local Networks − Ensuring that no needy person falls through

2 ComCare is encouraging social service providers (such as the Community

Development Councils, Family Service Centres, and other voluntary welfare
organisations, or VWOs, in the community) to set up service networks to help the
needy in their local communities. These networks will enable the service
providers and other agencies involved in helping the needy to provide information
and referral services that are more client-centric. Through these local networks,
the agencies will also be able to better coordinate their services and share ideas
on how to assist and address issues confronting the needy more effectively.

3 Ang Mo Kio Community Care Network (CCN) is the first local network
supported by ComCare. The CCN is an expression of the Ang Mo Kio social
service agencies and grassroots organisations’ concern for the needy, especially
the elderly. By July 2006, ComCare will help another 19 family service centres
(FSCs) or multi-service centres (MSCs, operated by VWOs) to enhance their
capabilities in these areas, with funding of up to $760,000.

4 With the enhancements, a needy person referred to services by the FSC

or multi-service centre will be ensured of proper follow up by these community
care networks. Clients will receive the required service from the agency that they
have been referred to. The ComCare Local Networks will also actively seek out
and ensure that the needy in the local community are linked to the appropriate
services. This will ensure that those in need will not be denied assistance simply
because they do not know where to go, or because they have complex issues
that require several agencies to work together to resolve them. In this way,
ComCare will ensure that no one will fall through the cracks of social assistance.

5 Family Service Centres welcomed the news of the enhancements. Said

Mr Joachim Lee, Director from Tampines Family Service Centre,” We want to
follow-up with clients whom we refer out to other services just to make sure they
actually received the required services. We also see the importance of active
outreach. However, because our caseload is high, we cannot do this for all
cases. With more resources, we would be able to do more proactive outreach to
those who may be in need, but have yet to get assistance, while at the same time
ensure that we close the loop for our clients".

ComCare Connection − More resources to help needy Singaporeans

6 Presently, the needy have benefited from well-established partnerships

between Community Development Councils, grassroots organisations and
voluntary welfare organisations. ComCare will also do more to involve private
and people-sector organisations in helping the needy, through the new ComCare
Connection programme.

7 The new ComCare Connection programme will aim to match venture

philanthropists and organisations or persons with resources to help the needy, to
voluntary welfare organisations or social enterprises, so that even more can be
done for the needy. Organisations such as private corporations, cooperatives,
foundations, schools and institutes of higher learning will be able to contribute
their resources and expertise to voluntary welfare organisations and social
enterprises. In return, these corporate organisations will be able to develop
programmes that fulfil their talent management and corporate social responsibility
objectives.

8 ComCare, in partnership with the National Volunteer and Philanthropy

Centre (NVPC), will set up the ComCare Connection. “Corporate and other
organisations would certainly benefit from more customised matching,” says Mrs
Tan Chee Koon, CEO of NVPC. “At present, corporations come to NVPC for
referrals to non-profit organisations. This initiative would encourage more
planned and sustained giving by organisations to society.”

(See Annex A for more details on the ComCare Connection).

Conclusion

9 More than 51,000 families and children have been helped since ComCare
was launched in June 2005. By building local social service networks and
expanding partnerships across the community, ComCare will be able to provide
more effective assistance to the needy in our society.

Issued by Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports

31 March 2006
 Annex A
The ComCare Connection

Contributions of Private and Public-Sector Organisations

• Partner with VWOs etc to provide and run programmes for the needy.

• Inject managerial expertise to upgrade capability of VWOs & Social

Enterprises (SEs).

• Provide resources (e.g. staff, funding) to help VWOs/SEs run programmes.

• Targeted primarily at entities that are keen to do more socially, but have
difficulty identifying the appropriate causes and organisations.

• Gives recognition to companies that contribute to the community.

What they will get in return

• A structured philanthropic programme to fulfill their corporate social

responsibility mission.

• Opportunities to develop their talent in areas outside their regular job scope.

Features of the ComCare Connection

1. Match venture philanthropists to Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs)

and Social Enterprises (SEs).
a. Develop platforms for networking

2. Identify areas and carve out aspects in which ComCare Connection members
can contribute to VWOs/SEs.

3. Provide Consultancy Services

a. to advise and help organisations map out and structure their social
responsibility efforts
b. Eg help put together community involvement programmes for
companies that want to help, but don’t know how.
c. To advise SEs and VWOs on how to make their programmes more
attractive to venture philanthropists.
4. Foster and encourage the emergence of more socially responsible
organisations.
 The ComCare Connection

Corporates /
Cooperatives
Grassroots
Organisations

The
Associations /
Social Enterprises ComCare Foundations /
Connection Philanthropists

VWOs IHLs, Schools

Private/People-Sector
Organisations