Thursday, 23 December 2010
The “One-stop-shop” principle to be effective in the system of integrated social services
At the press conference that followed today’s cabinet sitting, Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Arthur Grigoryan commented on the government approved a set of conceptual approaches to the structural-functional model of the unified system of integrated social services.
Under the concept, integrated welfare complexes will be set up in 2011 to ensure centralized management of funds. As for social services, they will be administered by the communities. According to the Minister, the “one stop shop” principle is being introduced in 5 towns and the provinces.
Money will be assigned and settled at these centers. Communities will ensure an array of services covering legal advice, rehabilitation, care, temporary shelters and so on. Financial support here implies the one administered by local self-government authorities. The social workers are supposed to attend individual cases by getting acquainted with every vulnerable citizen under their jurisdiction.
With reference to another cabinet-approved law, Arthur Grigoryan pointed out that the system of welfare benefits will be more substantiated and targeted in 2011.
In the words of the Minister, no longer will the citizens need to collect the required references. “The citizen will only have to file an application with the social center, after which the latter will make a set of inquiries to check on some important details,” the speaker said adding that in this way applicants will save a lot of time and energy while turning to a welfare center.
