Need financial aid? Here's job help too

North East CDC will integrate services and assistance for the needy
By Kimberly Spykerman, The Straits Times, 28 Oct 2011

MANAGERS and grassroots leaders at North East Community Development Council (CDC) will be expected to do more for needy residents than simply refer them for financial aid.

These front-line staff will also have to provide information about other matters, such as finding a job, as part of a beefed-up community aid package.

The CDC is aiming to provide a 'seamless' experience for residents who come to it for help.

Mr Teo Ser Luck, Mayor of North East District, said at an event last night: 'One of the aims of this is to integrate financial assistance with the job placement programme. So when residents come to us with financial needs, we will check why they have these needs. Perhaps they are jobless?

'So we don't just dish out financial disbursement... It's about integrating all the services and assistance into one package.'

One of the ways the CDC plans to do this is by equipping managers at the community clubs and grassroots leaders with information about its programmes.

These include job placement schemes and those providing financial help with daily household expenses or school fees.

Mr Teo added that the managers will be trained to ask the right questions, give comprehensive advice and make better referrals to the relevant agencies.

This is done to avoid the 'wrong door' problem, he said.

'With ownership of the case, you don't just refer the person from one to another, and not actually help the person right to the root of the problem... so there is no wrong door, the door you go to will try to give you the right solution.'

Linking up the unemployed with job placements will be another important aspect of the package, especially when it comes to the elderly and professionals who may have lost their jobs.

Mr Teo said it can be hard to link those who used to be highly paid with similar jobs that match their previous salaries.

To encourage companies to give this group of people a chance, the CDC will subsidise their salaries for six months as part of a trial.

Contributions are likely to be capped, but will be flexible depending on the nature of the job and budget constraints.

'They may not get the same amount of pay, but we want to make sure they actually have a job,' said Mr Teo. 'So with that kind of subsidy, I hope employers will be more forthcoming.'

The companies already on board include Shangri-La's Rasa Sentosa Resort.

Mr Teo also revealed that only a third of CDC councillors will be grassroots leaders, to make sure the needs of different sectors of the population are being met.

The others will be from various non-governmental organisations and the corporate sector.

The 64 district councillors will be split into eight committees focusing on issues including family, the elderly, employment and training, and finance.

One councillor, 49-year-old travel consultant Judy Wee, will focus on special needs within the community.

Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, who was guest of honour at last night's event at Crowne Plaza Hotel near Changi Airport, said these people were already contributing to helping others in need, but could do so on a larger scale as part of the CDC.

Helping all who are 'different'

AS THE North East CDC's district councillor for special needs, Ms Judy Wee does not believe that her role is restricted to speaking up for residents who have physical disabilities.

She wants to help those who are 'different' from the rest of the community, and that includes those who come from broken families, elderly people who live alone, and anyone who feels they live on the edge of society.

'There are a lot of these people we probably don't know about. Yes, they are surviving, but does that mean quality of life? Not necessarily. I believe that regardless of ability or disability, you must have quality of life,' she said.

Ms Wee, 49, was born with a deformity of the limbs. She is smaller than most people, and uses a wheelchair for convenience. When she walks, she has to use walking sticks.

Ms Wee wears many hats. She is not only a travel consultant, but also runs a consultancy that specialises in making buildings and structures more accessible. She is also vice-president of the Disabled People's Association, and works with the Muscular Dystrophy Association.