Improving access to social services for vulnerable citizens (RO0069)

Which public issue will be addressed by this obligation? The integrated approach in the provision of basic social, educational and community health care services at community level is very little developed in Romania, although it is a priority objective pursued for many years in national strategies. Community Assistance Services (CAS), a category under which integrated community services can be licensed, are currently provided by only 23 SPAS out of the 3187 basic ATUs existing in Romania (data extracted from the Single Electronic Register of Services published on 10 February 2020). In order to increase the population's access to quality social services, adapted to its needs and provided in an integrated system, it is necessary to strengthen the capacity of local authorities in creating and providing CAS, but also to better inform the population about the existence of these services. Description of the commitment

What is the obligation? MLSP is committed to supporting the development of the public network of Community Assistance Services (CASs) and increasing the access of the vulnerable population to integrated community services to reduce poverty and social exclusion in at least 100 medium-sized and severely marginalized ATUs.

How will the fulfilment of the obligation contribute to the solving of the public problem? 1. Creating, licensing and providing at least 100 Community assistance services by PSAS in communities with above average and severe marginalization. 2. Construction and publication of the interactive map of integrated community services (social, educational and health) 3. Collaborate with civil society to diversify the range of 18 services provided to marginalized communities, such as facilitating access to justice for vulnerable people.

What is the main objective? Increasing the access of the vulnerable population to integrated community services by supporting public social assistance services (PSAS) in creating, licensing and providing integrated community assistance services in marginalized communities.

Goals/activities Responsible (institution / partner) Start date End date 1. Providing methodological support (information, counseling) for the accreditation of public social assistance services (PSAS) as social service providers and for the licensing of community assistance services (CAS). MLSP 2021 January 2022 2. Supporting local government authorities from at least 100 marginalized communities in setting up integrated community teams (recruitment support and a grant to social workers / social work technicians recruited from the integrated community team). MLSP 2021 January 2022 3. Developing a Working Manual (a package of methodologies, procedures and working tools) to guide and support community teams integrated in the provision of ICS; identification by the work team of needs to diversify the range of services offered to vulnerable people, such as facilitating access to justice. MLSP 2021 January 2022 4. Training ECI members in the application of working methodologies and tools. MLSP 2021 January 2022 5. Creating and publishing the interactive map of integrated community services MLSP 2021 January 2022 Other information Required Budget (lei) (source, if readily-available) The activities are carried out and financed within the project "Creation and implementation of integrated community services for poverty reduction and social exclusion" (POCU 122607), implemented by MWSS in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education and Research between September 2010-January 2022. Total eligible budget: 113,076,750.09 lei, of which 85% represents the value of financing from European funds (ESF), representing total non-reimbursable expenses, and 15% own contribution, covered from the State Budget. Correlation with other government programs / strategies National Strategy on Social Inclusion and Poverty Reduction 2015-2020 Government Program 2018-2020

Action Plan Review

Commitment 4: Access to integrated community services