The five-year project is targeted at retrenched workers, the unemployed, and vulnerable youth aged 16-30 years. It will also help 250 households in an adapted version of the Identification, Stabilization, Enablement, Empowerment (ISEE) Bridge Program. The project will also facilitate better information sharing among key agencies and enhance institutional support networks through a new Management Information System (MIS).
The Strengthening Human and Social Development in Barbados project has three main components intended to strengthen the development of the people of Barbados:
the expansion of the ISEE Bridge project scope to include more Barbadian families;
the strengthening of the active labour market policy; and
an enhanced institutional capacity and support network through a new MIS system, for those who require social assistance. It seeks to achieve these through literacy and numeracy training, careers counselling and technical training, and by improving information sharing capacity.
The approach involves intensive interaction over two years. Four (4) areas of critical interventions are undertaken, aimed at breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty and
improving quality of life. These are:
(1) Identification/Assessment: The poor and vulnerable are identified and their needs assessed
(2) Stabilization: Immediate needs are addressed
(3) Enablement: Skills to survive are imparted
(4) Empowerment Individuals are imbued with the capacity to succeed and excel in society
The program is an adaptation of the Chile Puente Bridge Model and is known as the ISEE Bridge Program (IBP). The Barbadian adaptation involves addressing seven “pillars” for intervention and 58 minimum conditions, that if satisfied, should move
households out of extreme poverty and provide them with the capacity for independence. These pillars are:
1. Personal identification Ensure persons obtain the necessary forms of personal identification to benefit from social services to which they are entitled that can improve their circumstances.
2. Education and Human Resource Development: Provide skills training and educational opportunities to enable skills development
which can foster social inclusion, generate income and improve employment opportunities.
3. Health Promotion: Assist families to understand the importance of good health and healthy habits and direct them to the necessary agencies where they can receive health care services.
4. Family Dynamics: Expose families to conflict resolution training and relationship building exercises to improve family relationships and bonds fostering improved social relationship.
5. Housing Conditions: Help clients understand the importance of keeping their housing environment tidy and where possible providing housing repairs and renovations to improve living conditions.
6. Employment: Increase household members’ awareness of the importance of gainful employment and provide clients with career counselling and guidance; including assistance with application processes and interview preparation etc. Where possible also seek
employment opportunities for clients.
7. Income/Social Benefits Families need to obtain and/or generate financial resources to purchase the basic necessities and pay bills etc. Clients are advised of steps they can take to make money or receive social assistance to meet their basic needs. This also includes
directing clients to opportunities for unemployment benefits and possible ways which they can generate income for themselves.
The project seeks to address the prevalence of extreme poverty and high unemployment rates by improving the delivery system of social safety net supports and active labour market policies, including labour intermediation services and training. It also seeks to improve inter-agency efficiency through an integrated
MIS system that connects programs executed by key social service institutions.
