MCYS SPEECH NO: 26/2008 DATE OF ISSUE: 22/03/2008

 

MULTI-SERVICE CLUSTER PILOT PROJECT - MSC PILOT PROJECT LAUNCHES TODAY TO BRING VARIOUS SOCIAL SERVICES TOGETHER FOR THE COMMUNITY

Singapore, 22 Mar 2008 - Minister-of-State for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Mrs. Yu-Foo Yee Shoon, officially launched the Multi-Service Cluster (MSC) Pilot Project today at MSC@Toh Guan.

Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) is piloting five MSCs, one in each Community Development Council for a period of three years. Each MSC would increase accessibility and convenience to users of social services, with a one-stop service point catering to the diverse needs of the family and community.

Each pilot MSC comprises a cluster of social services anchored by a Family Service Centre (FSC) or a satellite of a nearby FSC. The actual service mix is determined based on the unique needs of each community and may include programmes for families, children, youth, seniors and persons with disability.

"There is a pressing need for the social services to be delivered in a more streamlined and seamless manner as society evolves and peoples' needs change in an increasingly complex world," said Mrs. Yu-Foo Yee Shoon.

There are several MSC models that MCYS is testing out, one of which is demonstrated by the MSC@Toh Guan. MSC@Toh Guan is a completely new set-up, bringing three different Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs) under one roof to provide children, counseling and seniors' programmes. MSC@Toh Guan is also a result of the collaboration between the Government, VWOs and Grassroots Organisations.

"We want to see more VWOs coming together to focus on their common goal of serving the community. Only through the many helping hands approach can we reach out to all who needed support and assistance," added Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon.

Four other MSCs are also piloted at Tampines, Toa Payoh, MacPherson and Teck Whye.

For media enquiries, please contact: Yvonne Lum (Ms) Communications and International Relations Division Ministry of Community Developmennt, Youth and Sports Email: Yvonne_Lum@mcys.gov.sg DID: 6354 8174 HP: 90903051

DETAILS OF THE PILOT MULTI-SERVICE CLUSTERS

Name/Location Service Provider Service Components CDC District Toh Guan MSC Blk 208 Jurong East St 21 PCF Education Centre Concern & Care Society Lakeside FSC (Satellite) New set-up, different VWOs under one roof providing: Nursery, Kindergarten and Enrichment programmes for Children Activities for Elderly and Youth Casework and Counselling North West Care Corner MSC Blk 158,159 and 170 Toa Payoh Lorong 1 Care Corner Singapore Ltd Clustering of existing services: Student Care Centre Elderly programmes Elderly programmes Family Service Centre Central MacPherson Moral MSC Blk 90,91 & 93 Paya Lebar Way Thye Hua Kwan Moral Society Clustering of existing services: Child Care Centre Seniors Activity Centre Family Service Centre South East Tampines MSC Blk 203, 205 and 209 Tampines St 21 PCF Tampines 3-in-1 Family Centre Tampines FSC (Satellite) Addition of satellite FSC to existing services: Child Care Centre Student Care Centre Elder Care Centre Casework and Counselling North East Fei Yue MSC Blk 8 Teck Whye Lane Fei Yue Community Services Addition of satellite FSC to existing services: Student Care Centre Elderly programmes South West