Introduction
The Department of Social Development is a key delivery partner to various of the outcome priorities of government. It contributes to the achievement of the following priority outcomes of government;
Outcome 1: Education
The Department of Social Development is identified as one of the key delivery partners in the Delivery Agreement relating to Education. This department is primarily responsible for early childhood development services below Grade R, whilst the Department of Basic Education takes responsibility for Grade R. Collaboration between the two departments is therefore vital. ECD: The department support the development of children in their homes by supporting caregivers in raising children, registering ECD sites and by introducing mobile programmes for children in rural areas and informal settlements.
Outcome 2: Health
The Department of Social Development is also a key delivery partner to two of the identified outputs contained in the Delivery Agreement to achieve a Outcome 2: A long and healthy life for all South Africans. These two outputs are; (i) Increasing Life Expectancy and (ii) Decreasing Child and Maternal Mortality. This is achieved through, amongst others;
- Older Persons: Luncheon clubs have been transformed to community based care to enable older persons to participate in activities that will enhance active ageing, as well as Residential Care.
- HIV and AIDS: Facilitated the development and implementation of HIV and AIDS prevention programmes to promote behaviour change and implement programmes in schools aimed at raising awareness and prevent teenage pregnancies.
- Persons with disabilities: To protect and promote the rights of people with disabilities, social services organization and community based care support as well as the utilization of facilities for people with disabilities were funded to ensure access to services for people with disabilities
Outcome 3: All South Africans are and feel safe
The Department is responsible for;
- Implementation of crime prevention programmes for children and youth, development of a responsive secure care model and the implementation of a diversion regulatory framework and accredited system were prioritised.
- Investment and mobilization of support for organizations that addresses gender based violence
- Substance abuse: The facilitation of substance abuse awareness and treatment programmes through Ke Moja (Iam fine without drugs awareness programme), individual counselling by social workers in the community, utilizing of in-patient treatment centres, the training of CBO’s, NGO’s and professional workers on substance abuse service.
A partnership commitment has been established with the department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation on positive habits and recreation.
Outcome 4: Decent employment through inclusive economic growth
- Implementation of crime prevention programmes for children and youth, development of a responsive secure care model and the implementation of a diversion regulatory framework and accredited system was prioritised.
- Invested resources and mobilized support for organizations that addresses gender based violence.
- Approval has been granted for absorption of Masupatsela pioneers. Process to absorb 298 Pioneers started from 01 April 2011
- 250 Young people were recruited as part of the National Youth service and they were undergoing accredited training.
Outcome 7: Vibrant, equitable, sustainable rural communities contributing towards food security for all
- This was done through revitalization of vegetable tunnels, convert current vegetable gardens to tunnels, maintenance of food banks
- Private, public and civil partnership were mobilised for resources and to distribute food parcels and immediate material needs for victims of disaster and households in distress.
Outcome 12: An empowered, fair and inclusive citizenship
This was and will always be a priority of the Department as it renders its services to all communities of the Free State province.