Development of Social Technologies by DSWD Social Technology Bureau

As we move with the changing times, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) understands the importance of technology and its role in transforming the lives of Filipinos. By using technology as a tool for social change, the agency can deliver better services to clients who are mostly from disadvantaged communities.

Also Read: List of DSWD Programs, Projects and Services

And as the world becomes more technology-driven, DSWD is also ensuring that the agency’s workforce has the skills and knowledge to adapt to these changes. To this end, DSWD is continuously investing on the development of social technologies and projects that will not only help increase its service delivery efficiency but also improve the lives of Filipinos. In this post, we share some of the social technologies that DSWD has been implementing.

Table of Contents

Development of Social Technologies by Social Technology Bureau

What is the Socal Technology Bureau?

The DSWD-STB leads the development of social welfare and development programs for poor, vulnerable, and disadvantaged Filipinos.

The DSWD will continue to develop responsive, transformative, and sustainable SWD models of intervention that address the needs of the poor, vulnerable, and disadvantaged groups.

The DSWD will ensure a proactive and improved social technology development process, reducing turn-around time for the completion of models of intervention from conceptualization to pilot testing and evaluation.

The DSWD will provide continuing capacity building to its staff and intermediaries, facilitating organizational development activities to ensure holistic, rights-based, evidence-based, and participatory technologies.

The DSWD will conduct accelerated and intensified social marketing of SWD models of intervention to address gaps in responding to the needs of sectors served by DSWD Central and Field Offices, Social Welfare and Development Agencies, Local Government Units, and other intermediaries.

The social development sector has undergone many changes over the last few years. The use of social technology, sustainable intervention models, and organizational development has seen significant growth in the number of interventions and their impact on the communities. This growth can be attributed to an improved proactive SWD process that focuses on transforming people’s lives.

STB Framework & ST Development Process

The DSWD-STB Framework and Process is designed to ensure that DSWD-STB interventions are aligned with the needs of stakeholders. DSWD-STB can continually improve its services through feedback, monitoring, evaluation, and learning mechanisms.

Laws and Issuances

Here are some of the laws and issuances related to the DSWD-STB, and its framework and processes.

AO No. 06 S. 2016 – Enhanced Guidelines on Social Technology Development

AO No. 14 S. 2018 – Omnibus Guidelines on Social Technology Development

AO No. 34 S. 2003 – Framework for Social Technology Development

MC 06 S. 2011 – Guidelines on the Development of Social Technology Projects Series of 2010

MC No. 2 S. 2020 – Guidelines in Pilot-Testing of the Paghilom Program

MC. No. 33 S. 2020 – Guidelines for the Implementation of Yakap Bayan Program

List of Programs and Services

The DSWD-STB has various programs covering each sector of society. These are:

Children and Youth

Aruga At Kalinga Sa Mga Bata Sa Barangay (ARUGA)

Strategy for Implementing Foster Care Service in a Barangay for the Provision of Planned Substitute Parental Care to Abandoned, Neglected and Children in Need of Temporary Care.

In order to promote the implementation of foster care service in a barangay for the provision of planned substitute parental care to abandoned, neglected and children in need of temporary care, the DSWD-STB will be adopting a multi-pronged approach. They will start by holding meetings with the barangay officials, civic leaders and local government unit representatives so that they can understand the program and how it can help them achieve their respective goals.

The STB will also conduct a survey on abandoned, neglected and children in need of temporary care in our area to identify potential beneficiaries of the program. This way, the agency will be able to identify which areas need more attention than others which will help them determine what kind of program should best be implemented in those areas and how many beneficiaries they can target within those areas.

Strategic Helpdesks for Information, Education Livelihood, And Other Developmental Interventions (SHIELD)

SHIELD is a program that aims to withdraw children from the worst forms of child labor through the provision of holistic and immediate interventions at the community level. This project was developed to comply with RA 9231, and contribute to the removal of one (1) million children from child labor by 2025 as committed in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Child labor is a serious problem in many countries, and the DSWD-STB is proud to lead a project that’s working to eradicate it.

The SHIELD project helps to eliminate child labor, particularly its worst forms and those in the blanket ban (below 15 years old). They do this by:

Identifying child laborers in the community and ensuring evidence-based case management through an operational Child Labor Local Registry (CLLR) System.
Improving access of child laborers and their families to appropriate services.
Increasing awareness and capacities of child laborers, their families and duty-bearers in addressing child labor.

Buklod Paglaom Para Sa CICL Holistic Psychosocial and Economic (HOPE) Inventions for Children in Conflict with the Law (BUKLOD)

Buklod Paglaom para sa CICL is a project that combines center-based interventions with community-based interventions. It aims to address the risk factors in children and their families that caused them to offend, as well as the risk factors in the community that will more likely result in their reoffending if not addressed. The project puts emphasis on rehabilitation and reintegration rather than retribution based on the principles of restorative justice.

The Center for Integrated Care and Learning (CICL) is a program that serves juveniles who are at high risk of re-offending. The program helps these juveniles develop and maintain positive behavior by giving them opportunities to participate in constructive activities and providing them with educational guidance and support.

The CICL program also helps dysfunctional families become responsive to the needs of their children for support and protection. In addition, it helps community members become responsible for preventing juvenile delinquency.

CICL participants who have completed their rehabilitation program are provided with intensive aftercare. This service aims to provide continuity of care for children and young people with a history of offending to ensure that they continue to engage in positive behavior.

Group work helps CICL respond to the problem about the negative influence and pressures exerted on a child by his peers to participate in gangs and engage in drug abuse and other illegal activities. In group sessions, participants learn how to resist peer pressure and make positive choices.

Individual sessions aim to address a child’s harmful behavior brought by lack of ability to control aggression and warped understanding of right and wrong. By addressing these issues, CICL develops the skills to cope effectively with stressors encountered at home or school.

Family sessions focus on the dynamics of family relations to support parents who cannot give appropriate guidance. The goal is for parents to become aware of their strengths as well as weaknesses so they can take advantage of available resources while promoting positive relationships among family members.

Youth Productivity Service (YPS)

The Youth Productivity Service (YPS) is a community-based strategy organization that aims to reduce poverty among out-of-school youths and youth at risk. The organization works with national government agencies, local government units, and civil society in order to provide integrated skills and facilitate job placement for out-of-school youths.

Comprehensive Program For Street Children, Street Families And Indigenous Peoples Especially Sama Bajaus (COMPRE)

The program is an integrated approach and a package of services and interventions to address the needs of street children, street families and Indigenous Peoples living or at-risk in the streets. The program desires to reduce activities and vulnerabilities of children and families at risk in the streets by responding to their immediate needs and engaging them in productive, cultural and developmental activities in a safe environment.

The program will ensure that children are in school and not roaming major thoroughfares through sustained developmental and age-appropriate activities. It will also provide access for children, families and unattached adults at risk on the streets to housing programs, basic social services, capacity enhancements and opportunities for parents to earn money while improving their parenting capabilities. It will engage other community stakeholders in the provision of various developmental services.

Modified Social Stress Model (MSSM)

As per the DSWD-STB, the MSSM framework assesses the specific needs of children recovering from substance use and abuse in residential care facilities. The MSSM framework is a global approach to identifying risk factors and protective factors that affect children in need of special protection. It is used to assess the specific needs of children recovering from substance use and abuse in residential care facilities.

The objectives of using MSSM are:

Improve management of children in need of special protection by using the MSSM framework in the DSWD centers/ residential facilities and other LGUs and NGOs operating residential care facilities
Institutionalize the use of MSSM tool in identifying the specific risk and protective factors affecting the client as well as in designing a responsive intervention plan
Guide the implementers (social workers and other members of the intervention team catering to CNSP on the use of MSSM

Special Drug Education Center (SDEC)

SDEC aims to develop and implement drug abuse prevention programs such as community information and education activities on the ill effects of drug abuse. It also seeks to build capacities of OSY / street children and their families towards the promotion of a positive lifestyle and drug-free home and community, advocate for local legislation, policies and programs, as well as generate resources, to support SDEC. The center also establishes linkages & maintains a data bank on OSY, street children and young drug-dependent individuals.

The objectives of SDEC are to:

Develop and implement drug abuse prevention programs such as community information and education activities on the ill effects of drug abuse
Build capacities of OSY / street children and their families towards the promotion of a positive lifestyle and drug-free home and community
Advocate for local legislation, policies and programs, as well as generate resources, to support the SDEC
Establish linkages & maintain a data bank on OSY, street children and young drug dependent

Family

WiSUPPORT

The DSWD-STB has developed a Wireless Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (WiSUPPORT) program to address mental health and psychosocial needs through wireless and online platforms. The program intends to make services more accessible to its intended clients by developing and utilizing technology-based platforms in compliance with infection prevention, control measures, and other related guidelines.

The DSWD will be able to ensure a systematic response to the psychosocial needs of individuals and families affected by COVID-19 and other crisis situations through the development of technology-based platforms.

These systems will support the operations of DSWD Central and Field Offices by facilitating intake, responding, referring, and recording of cases. The Department’s duties and responsibilities in the implementation of Republic Act No. 11036 will be executed with these systems in place.

Family Drug Abuse Prevention Program (FDAPP)

The Family Development for Alcohol and Drug Prevention Program (FDAPP) is a community-based presentation program designed to educate families and communities on the adheres effects of drug abuse. The program adheres to the provisions of RA 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which recognizes the vital role of the family in educating its members on the ill effects of dangerous drugs.

The objectives of FDAPP are:

To create awareness of families and communities on the underlying causes of drug abuse and its ill effects
To promote family life enrichment, strengthen Filipino family values and enhance relationships among its members
To mobilize families in the promotion of effective parenting and drug-free home and community.

To achieve these objectives, FDAPP’s components include organization of Family Councils, capacity building for families and service providers, training on health, socio-cultural, psychological, legal and economic dimensions and implications of the drug problem, advocacy networking and social mobilization.

Local Anti-Drug Abuse Councils provide referral services and conduct information and education activities to promote drug-free home and community.

Strategies Toward Acceptance, Reintegration And Transformation For Poor Recovering Drug Dependent (START)

The START program aims to provide recovering drug dependents with the support and care they need in order to reintegrate into society as self-reliant, responsible members. The project is a community-based aftercare intervention that follows up on primary residential or outpatient rehabilitation programs in both government and non-government facilities. It is designed to help recovering drug dependents who have completed these programs, but it also aims to support their family members and communities in supporting their recovery process.

The objectives of the START program are to ensure that recovering drug dependents have bio-psychosocial, economic, moral, and spiritual development through their participation in this program.

The project also aims to mobilize families and community members along with individuals and families at risk for addiction problems so that all can be involved in supporting each other’s recovery process.

Finally, it seeks to promote interagency partnership for resource augmentation; local policies; coordination of efforts among agencies; and more effective interventions for those struggling with addiction problems.

The components of the project are:

Service delivery: Provision of services such as psychosocial interventions, financial assistance, capability building, skills training, and referral services to RDDs and their families
Advocacy: Raising the awareness of the people in the community on the ill-effects of drug abuse and in removing social stigma on RDDs
Organization of Support Groups: Formation and training of peer, family and community members to ensure successful reintegration of RDDs
Establishment of Inter-Agency Mechanism: Identification and organization of different government, non- government agencies, academe

Yakap Bayan

The objective of the Yakap Bayan Program is to provide adequate preparation/transition for reintegration among Recovering Persons Who Used Drugs (RPWUDs), enhance the coping capacities of RPWUDs with the demands of their dynamic environment upon return to their communities, facilitate an enabling environment for the transformation of RPWUDs in communities, and enhance the knowledge, attitudes and skills of families to serve as co-journeyers of RPWUDs towards recovery.

The program model in assisting RPWUDs to be socially functioning and maintain a lifestyle change from rehabilitation or treatment with the catalytic role of families, communities and Local Government Units (LGU) service providers. It will be implemented by Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (ADACs) and will weave existing resources of the LGUs, NGOs and CSOs, adopting the whole-of-nation and community approach. It utilizes the continuum of care and prevents stigma through institutionalizing intervention at the barangay level.

Psychosocial Care And Support For Persons Living With HIV and AIDS And Their Families (PLHIV)

The project aims to enhance the access of PLHIVs and their affected family members to various support services and assistance. It also aims to provide psychosocial interventions to project beneficiaries, provide access for beneficiaries to educational and economic support and assistance, strengthen the capacities of social workers in managing PLHIV cases through capacity-building activities, and link beneficiaries to other services.

The components of this project are:

Advocacy
Capability Development of Service Providers
Organization and Sustainability of Family Support System
Economic and Psychosocial Services
Economic Empowerment and Assistance
Special Protection for children infected or affected by HIV and AIDS
Respite Care

Job Network Services (JNS)

This program’s objective is to provide clients access to job placement offices or companies that provide employment opportunities. The program will harness the skills and potential of the CIU clients to become gainfully employed and foster change in the impoverished situation of the CIU clients towards self-reliance to augment the family income. It will also put in place a network mechanism with resource agencies/individuals who may be able to assist with employment.

The components of this program are as follows:

Social Preparation: This starts from problem determination, where the social worker prepares the clients’ readiness for Job seeking.
Capability Building: This includes training for CIU staff on counselling, resume’ preparation and posting and use of the internet for searching for jobs.
Provision of Services:
- Job search assistance, where the client is referred to companies and resumes are entered into the job networks.
- Conditional Cash Assistance Support, which includes the provision of cash assistance to clients for not more than six (6) months to be used for job searching, among others
- Occupational Guidance / Counseling

Comprehensive Delivery of Reintegration Services for Deportees and Irregular Overseas Filipino Workers (BALIKBAYAN PROJECT)

The BALIKBAYAN PROJECT is a package of services that helps to address the adverse effects of repatriation, deportation and unemployment of OFWs and to provide support services for their effective reintegration into the Philippines. The objectives of the program are as follows:

To improve the quality of life of deportees, repatriates and returned irregular Filipino workers
To increase the socio-economic capacities of OFWs
To facilitate psychological healing and recovery and promote harmonious relationships among family members
To hasten the reintegration of the returned Filipinos into their families and communities
To promote inter-agency partnership for resource augmentation in response to the needs of OFWs and their families

The program has five components: advocacy and social preparation; capability building of implementers; establishment of an inter-agency mechanism; networking and resource generation.

Women

Comprehensive Intervention Against Gender-based Violence (CIAGV)

The CIAGV is a holistic framework that aims to better understand and address gender-based violence (GBV) in the community through increased access to quality response and reintegration services and participation in preventive actions.

The objectives of the CIAGV are:

Reduce the incidence of gender-based violence, in both normal and emergency/ crisis situations
Improve the provision of services to victim-survivors of GBV
Facilitate socio-economic integration of GBV survivors.

The main components are:

Prevention: increase awareness of the general population and vulnerable groups (rural, urban, IP) on the knowledge and perception of GBV, and strategies to combat it.
Response: improve service delivery systems to survivors through specialized trainings and improved centers during crisis situations.
Reintegration: provision of services that will support healing, rebuilding lives, and smooth return of victim-survivors to the community

Gender Responsive Case Management (GRCM)

GRCM is a case management model for victim-survivors utilizing gender-, strengths- and rights-based perspectives, guiding principles, and tools to facilitate the healing and recovery of every survivor of gender-based violence (GBV). It starts from the recognition of gender biases against women and girls in the home, community and society, and pursues empowerment of women to see their value and status in relation to self, family and society. It also addresses the victim-survivor’s immediate and long-term needs through a responsive helping relationship between the case manager and the survivor.

OBJECTIVES:

Ensure the healing and recovery of victim-survivors of GBV through improved case management
Facilitate and advocate timely, coordinated, age- and gender-appropriate delivery of services to meet the various needs of the sector
Capacitate case managers on gender sensitivity, self-awareness and reflective practices

GRCM TOOLS:

Ender Violence Survivor Assessment (GVSA) – Uses a simplified listing of internal and external factors relevant to the presenting problems of the survivor Interdisciplinary Gender Assessment (IDGA) – The interdisciplinary team conducts the assessment in order to set a common goal for helping the survivor.

Domestic Violence Survivor Assessment (DVSA)

The Change Model looks at two main areas to determine what causes disruptive behavior: the relationship and the survivor who exhibits that disruptive behavior.

Women Friendly Space (WFS)

Women’s Family Support Centers (WFS) are facilities established in evacuation camps, transitional sites or communities to address the practical and strategic needs of women during crisis situations, especially natural or man-made disasters. It aims to respond to the effects of displacement and vulnerability of women to crisis situations through the provision of wide range of services to help them cope with their situation and prepare them for their return to communities.

The objectives of WFS are:

Provide a safe space for internally displaced women
Increase awareness among women and community members on issues related to well-being, women’s rights, sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and gender-based violence (GBV)
Ensure access of internally displaced women to economic activities and other services
Enhance knowledge and skills of internally displaced women so they can participate in matters concerning their needs and interests

The components of WFS include:

Gender awareness education and information sessions: WFS facilitators disseminate information about WFS and its services, as well as raise awareness of women on the prevention of gender-based violence.
Service delivery: Access to services such as psychosocial support, reproductive health, cash for work, life skills using the Gender and Equality and Women Empowerment Framework.
Partnership and networking: WFS may be used for gender awareness and education on women’s empowerment and gender equality targeting men and boys

Counseling Services for Rehabilitation of Perpetrators of Domestic Violence (CSRPDV)

The Counseling Services for Rehabilitation of Perpetrators of Domestic Violence (CSRPDV) is a community-based intervention that utilizes a simplified counseling model designed for the male perpetrators of domestic violence. Series of counseling sessions are conducted to change the perpetrator’s abusive behavior geared towards healing which aims to stop the cycle of violence.

Objectives:

Provide counseling sessions to male perpetrators of domestic violence geared towards developing non-abusive behavior.
Engage the family and community in the rehabilitation process of male perpetrators of domestic violence.
Organize and mobilize volunteers as community support system for the transformation of the male perpetrators of domestic violence.
Strengthen the capability of service providers in managing rehabilitation services for perpetrators.

Components:

Capability Building: Undertake appropriate capability building activities to enhance knowledge, attitudes and skills of the implementer by understanding the service framework, processes, and procedures.
Counselling Sessions: Counseling approach with focus on Enhancing Personal and Family Resilience, Activating and Nurturing Family Resilience, and Care

OPs/PWDs

Sheltered Workshop for Persons with Disabilities and Older Persons (SWPDOP)

The Sheltered Workshop is a community-based facility designed to provide training and productive employment for persons with disability (PWD) and older persons (OP) by producing and selling goods or services for additional income. The objectives of the program are:

To provide capability building activities for PWDs and OPs.
To provide employment for PWDs and OPs who can function under controlled environment.
To advocate for community support for PWDs and OPs, especially persons with developmental disability.
To provide opportunities to parents, siblings, and community members to actively participate in the rehabilitation of person with disability and older persons, whichever is applicable.
To strengthen the expertise of staff/ workers in operationalizing sheltered workshop, specifically designed to meet the needs of person with disability and older persons.
To provide Older persons the opportunity to continue working and contributing to society while enjoying a reasonable quality of life.
To increase community awareness on issues that affects both the PWDs and OPs

Community Action and Resources for Accessible and Better Living Environments for Persons with Disability (CARE-ABLE)

CARe-ABLE is the community-based intervention that helps people with disabilities access existing resources, programs, and services in their communities. The project seeks to provide holistic interventions to people with disabilities and reduce barriers for greater access to resources both from the government and non-government sectors.

The main objectives of CARe-ABLE are as follows:

Increase access of people with disabilities to social protection programs
Strengthen city, municipal and barangay mechanisms in providing programs and services for people with disabilities
Improve capacities of people with disabilities for self-care and economic productivity

The CARe-ABLE project has four components:

Establishment of Barangay Helpdesks—a venue within the community for coordination with LGUs and other offices for faster, better and more coordinated delivery of services
Support Services—accessing PWDs and their families to health, nutrition and medical care, psychosocial services including assessment fees, mainstream education, livelihood, socio- cultural and social enhancement programs among others
Capability Building—values enrichment, capability building and skills training to develop self-esteem improve life perspectives and address personal barriers
Strengthening Local Mechanisms—establishment of linkages to public institutions transport business sectors other government non-government institutions providing caring environments support

Intergenerational Program for Older Persons and Children (INTERGEN)

The objective of this program is to enrich the lives of older persons while also promoting intergenerational harmony. This program will help older persons share their knowledge and skills with the younger generation in an integrated and intergenerational environment.

This program aims to increase community awareness on issues of both the young and old claim holders and on social problems relative to the transfer of culture across generations.

This program will provide intergenerational services through structured activities that will bring harmony to claimholders, such as early stimulation, acquisition of basic skills, inculcation of values and socialization for children.

It will develop an appreciation for the rich Filipino cultural heritage and history. It will promote an understanding of shared values and respect for individuals in all stages of life. It will provide opportunities for older persons and other claim holders to participate in economic and social education as well as spiritual development activities in communities or centers. It will provide psychosocial intervention to senior citizens, children and other members of their families.

Home Care Support Services for Senior Citizens: (HCSSSC)

The Home Care Services for Senior Citizens (HCSSSC) program is a community-based program that aims to provide quality care for the sick, frail, bedridden senior citizens in their own homes through their family/kinship carers and homecare volunteers. The project ensures that older persons, their families and communities promote healthy and harmonious family relationships and take effective steps to provide care and protection to the sick, frail, bedridden, disabled, abandoned and neglected senior citizens.

The objectives of this project are as follows:

Provide a package of caregiving services for senior citizens who have difficulty performing activities of daily living due to old age and ailments
Capacitate volunteers to plan and deliver home care support services to the senior citizens in their own homes
Encourage active participation of the family in establishing and sustaining programs and services for the senior citizens
Enhance capabilities of implementing LGUs/P0s, senior citizens organizations in the delivery of services to home care beneficiaries
Raise public awareness of the needs and aspirations of senior citizens

The Reporting and Prevention System Project Program for Elderly Abuse Cases (RESPPEC)

The Reporting System and Prevention Program for Elderly Abuse Cases (ReSPPEC) is a community-based project that strengthens partnerships and networks between and among the senior citizen sector, stakeholders, and partners to ensure holistic and efficient delivery of services to respond to elderly abuse cases.

The project will develop a holistic system that will put into place mechanisms and necessary procedures and protocols to report, investigate, intervene, document, monitor formally, and provide follow-up services to community elder abuse victims.

The project also provides support groups for perpetrators/abusers and treatment on ways to change their behavior. It has components for values formation and rehabilitation of perpetrators/abusers to stop the cycle of violence. This project will also strengthen family and peer support to prevent abuse among the elderly.

GENERAL OBJECTIVES:

To protect the rights of the elderly against all forms of abuse by knowing detecting elder abuse and ways of preventing it, as well as the establishment of local reporting mechanisms and referral systems in order to provide services for their full rehabilitation/recovery.

COMPONENTS

To establish local reporting mechanisms in management of Elder Abuse cases
To capacitate the people in the communities
To develop data banking system on Elder Abuse cases
Provide support services not limited to psycho-social, economic, medical, legal to the elder abuse victim-survivor and their families
To provide rehabilitation and support services for suspected abusers/ offender to mitigate the effects of violence
Intensify public awareness on elder abuse through advocacy activities

IP

Sama-Bajau Localized Intervention & Learning Approach Fop Holistic Improvement (SALLNLAHI)

SaLInLAHI is a community-based project anchored on rights-based, child protection and culture-based approaches. It aims to ensure and sustain the protection and promotion of the rights and well-being of poor Sama-Bajau children through culture-based early childhood care and development (ECCD) services.

SaLInLAHI provides age-appropriate and culture-based learning sessions for Sama- Bajau children aged 3-4 and prepares them for regular education. The project strengthens paternal, maternal and child care education to prevent maternal and child mortality among Sama-Bajau, who are known for their high mortality rate especially among mothers during pregnancy and childbirth. It also strengthens the support of families and indigenous leaders for the protection of children 0-4 years old.

The components include: Culture-based Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Sessions grounded on indigenous knowledge, systems and practices of Sama-Bajau which are appropriate adaptable to the growth formation of children 0-4 years old; Empowering Learning Sessions for Indigenous Peoples Initiatives (ELIPI); Organization of Sama Bajau Volunteers

IDPs

Team Balikatan Rescue in Emergencies (TEAMBRE)

The TeamBRE Project is a partnership of the City/Municipal/Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC) and fisherfolk in coastal barangays and disaster-prone communities. The project aims to enable the fisherfolks to become contributing members of their families and communities by making them partners in disaster preparedness and response while providing them alternative source of livelihood during lean or typhoon months. This is in response to the situational analysis which found that they have low economic productivity and have high casualty rates during typhoon.

The objectives of TeamBRE are as follows:

• Enhance the skills of fisherfolks on disaster preparedness and response

• Organize the fisherfolks as TeamBRE volunteers to respond safely in disasters and emergencies in partnership with City/Municipal/Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council

• Augment family income during lean or typhoon months

The components include capability building, training of TeamBRE volunteers and project partners on Family Based Disaster Preparedness and Community Action for Disaster Response (CADRE), support services such as cash/food for work, skills training, livelihood assistance

Video: The Social Technology Bureau

Here’s an AVP by the DSWD showcasing the role and functions of the Social Technology Bureau (STB). Find out more about the bureau’s role in the DSWD and how it helps connect people to social services.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the mandate of Social Technology Bureau (STB)?

Develop and enhance technologies that will address current and emerging needs of poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals.

2. What are the Divisions of the Social Technology Bureau?

Research and Design Division (RDD) – this division is responsible for developing, testing and implementing information and communication technology (ICT) applications that will address the current and emerging needs of poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals.
Pilot Implementation Division (PID) – this division is responsible for the implementation of the projects developed by RDD and is tasked to ensure that all technologies are in line with the government’s policies, standards and procedures.
Promotion and Institutionalization Division (PaID) – this division is responsible for ensuring that all technologies developed by RDD and PID are disseminated to the public through various channels, including government agencies and non-government organizations (NGOs).

3. What are the Key Results Areas of the Bureau?

Research and Design on the Needs of the Target Sector – The Bureau aims to develop and implement technologies that are relevant and useful in addressing the needs of its target sector. This is achieved by conducting research on the needs of the sector and identifying solutions that will address these needs.
Pilot Testing of Innovative Models of Intervention – The Bureau conducts pilot testing of its technologies and models of intervention. This is done to improve the quality of the interventions, as well as to assess their effectiveness in addressing the needs of the target sector.
Promotion and Institutionalization of completed SWD Models of Intervention – The Bureau promotes and institutionalizes the completed SWD models of intervention. This is done in partnership with other government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), as well as private institutions. The Bureau also provides support to these partners by providing technical assistance, training and capacity building.

4. How many models of interventions/programs were developed by the Department?

There are twenty (20) social technologies that respond to the needs of children, families and women.

5. What are the developed models of interventions/ programs for the families/ family sector?

1. Family Drug Abuse Prevention Program (FDAPP) – The program is a community-based prevention program designed to educate families and communities on the adverse effects of drug abuse.

2. Psychosocial Care and Support for Person Living with HIV- The project is a community-based intervention for the prevention and management of the risks and problems associated with HIV infection.

3. Job Network Services for Perennial Clients of Crisis Intervention Unit – A community-based project anchored on the principle of self-reliance.

4. Comprehensive Delivery of Reintegration Services for Deportees and Irregular OFWs- A package of services that helps to address adverse effects of repatriation, deportation and unemployment of OFWs and to provide support services for their effective reintegration to the Philippines

5. What are the developed models of interventions/ programs for Women sector?

1. Comprehensive Intervention against Gender Violence (CIAGV)- A program that provides a holistic framework on prevention, response and reintegration to better understand and address gender-based violence in the community.

2. Gender Responsive Case Management (GRCM)- A case management model utilizing the gender, strengths and rights-based perspective, with guiding principles, and tools to facilitate the healing and recovery of every survivor of gender-based violence.

3. Women-Friendly Space (WFS) – A facility or structure established in evacuation camps, transitional sites or communities to address the practical and strategic needs of women during crisis situations, especially natural or man-made disasters.

4. Counseling Service for Rehabilitation of Perpetrators of Domestic Violence (CSRPDV)- The project is a social work intervention which utilizes a simplified counseling model designed specifically for male-perpetrators of do

6. What are the developed models of interventions/ programs for children/ youth sector?

Special Drug Education Center (SDEC) – he center is a community-based facility established for the provision of anti-illegal-drug education, livelihood skills training, leadership training, and other community development activities for out-of-school youths and street children.
Sharing of Computer Access Local and Abroad (SCALA)
Buklod Paglaom Para sa CICL- A project combining services and interventions in center and community-based settings. Using a holistic approach, it aims to reduce cases of re-offending by addressing the risk factors in CICL, their families and communities.
Aruga at Kalinga sa mga Bata sa Barangay- A strategy to promote the implementation of foster care service in a Barangay to provide a planned substitute parental care to abandoned, neglected and other children in need of temporary care.
Modified Social Stress Model (MSSM) – A tool in assessing the needs of children recovering from substance use and abuse in residential care facilities.
Youth Productivity Service (YPS) -A community-based strategy on convergence among national government agencies, local government units and civil society organizations to provide integrated skills and facilitate job placement among out-of-school youth (OSY) and youth-at-risk.

7. What are the developed models of interventions/ programs for the sectors of older persons, persons with disability, indigenous people and internally displaced persons?

Intergenerational Program for Older Persons and Children
Home Care Support Services for Senior Citizens- A community-based program that aims to provide quality care for the sick, frail, bedridden senior citizens in their own homes through their family/kinship carers and homecare volunteers.
Sama Bajau Localized Intervention and Learning Approach for Holistic Intervention (SALINLAHI) – SaLInLAHI is a community-based project that is anchored on rights-based, child protection and culture-based approaches. It is focused on the learning and development of 0-4-year-old Sama-Bajau children.
Sheltered Workshop for Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities
Community Action and Resources for Accessible and Better Living Environment for PWDs (CARe-ABLE) for PWDs- The project is a community-based intervention which enables persons with disability (PWDs) to access available resources, programs and services in the community.
Team Balikatan Rescue in Emergencies (TeamBRE)-A program that organizes and mobilizes fisherfolks for joint undertakings in the rescue and evacuation of affected families in coastal barangays and disaster-prone communities.

Summary

As you’ve noted, there are various efforts in which DSWD-STB has been involved. The key to the success of these programs is that they are rooted in a strong sense of community and shared responsibility. Thus, DSWD-STB has always believed that marginalized people in the community should be able to develop skills and abilities that will help them become self-reliant and productive in their communities.

We hope that after you’ve read this article, you learned a lot about the work that DSWD-STB does in the community. If you know someone who might benefit from the programs that DSWD-STB offers, don’t hesitate to share this article with them.

Contact Information

DSWD Social Technology Bureau (STB)
Address: 3RD Floor, Matapat Building Department Of Social Welfare And Development – Central Office IBP Road, Constitution Hills, Batasan Complex, Quezon City
Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Telephone: 02-8951-7124; 02-8951-2802; 02-8931-8144
Email: soctech@dswd.gov.ph
Website: https://stb.dswd.gov.ph/