The Government of the Republic of Armenia

Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan attended the opening of Ararat town’s integrated social service center (ISSC).

Accompanied by Minster of Labor and Social Affairs Artem Asatryan, Chairman of National Assembly Social Affairs Standing Committee Hakob Hakobyan and Ararat Marz Governor Edik Barseghyan, the Premier toured the center getting acquainted with the working conditions and the services provided to the population.

Before the opening ceremony, Tigran Sargsyan paid tribute to Vazgen Sargsyan’s memory by laying a wreath at the monument to the Sparapet.

To improve the efficiency of welfare policy, the government has introduced a system of integrated social services in the Republic of Armenia that will promote the provision of quality services with the application of fundamentally new methods and mechanisms aimed at bettering the customers’ welfare status based on a comprehensive analysis of customer needs.

To this end, a decision was adopted in 2012 approving the program of integrated social services, under which 54-56 integrated social service centers will be set up nationwide.

A pilot program is being implemented in Ararat Marz in the frame of which a local center has already been launched in Masis town. This very facility was the next port of call of the Prime Minister who took the opportunity to get acquainted with the ongoing activities and listen to the customers’ concerns.

Training courses have been organized for the staff of the aforementioned centers.

Additional 16 ISSCs will be included in the pilot program following upgrade and refurbishment by this May 20. About 350 employees in those training centers will be provided professional training starting this April 8.

After the system of integrated social services has been introduced, a single public agency will be up to carry out all types of pension- and benefit-related operations with the balance of welfare services to be provided by community agencies through their local staff.