CRAFS Mineas Gervais Social Services

CRAFS is the name of the service which provides social assistance to those in need.

Setting Legislation

The Government set the legislation as to what services are provided, how they are provided and what criteria needs to be satisfied to qualify for these services. The Government department is called the Ministry of Social Development.

Office Locations

The offices are located within the areas where the social need is based. This means there can be more than one office in a city and each one can provide a range or individual services.

Service Provision

There is alwsys at least one CRAF main office where assesments are given on the service user/s needs.
In this main building there is the welfare assesment office, pyscology unit for conselling and drug rehabiitation trestment. A type of out of school club. This club provides education, recreation and a meal for children who otherwise would be on the streets at risk from all kinds of social issues including drugs and prostitution. There is also a type of adult and young persons education centre where beauty therapy, cooking and design technology skills are taught that lead to recognised diplomas. This is to assist service users to gain employable skills and qualifications.

Other CRAF services are seperate to this office and include;
Homeless and hungry
Domestic violence
Welfare for people on low incomes
Older peoples services
Young offenders
Substance misuse
Housing assistance - I explain this in my next blog entitled Boa Esperançe the Majors Meeting

Schemes of Interest

Family funds is the name of the scheme that gives families on low incomes welfare assistance. To qualify for the funds children of the applying families must attend school and an agreement of what the families have to achieve to qualify for the funds needs to be met.
Often the teenagers and adults have to complete a vocational training course such as the cooking course previously mentioned.

Health Care

Health care is provided including immunisations as the Government recognise this reduces illness and the costs related to it when health care is not provided to those who need it.

Reviews
Service users needs are assesed every 3 months and the services last for 2 years. After this time a new application needs to be made.

Outreach and Referrals to Services
Service users register through a variety of means;
Self referral
Neighbour or concerned person referral
Medical or police referral
Court order

There are officers who work out in the community to try snd close the gap between people who need the service but are not using them. These officers also try to encourage people to keep engaging in the services.

I am due to recieve the strategy and policy for social development so if you would like to know more please let us know and it can be provided.

I have visited 3 of these offices on our travels in Phumi, Pocos De Çaldas and here in Boa Esperançe.