#LetsMeet Eugene Choy, 26, who responded to the open call for the community to do more together for Youth Mental Well-Being.

“I faced a difficult time when my mum passed away in 2011, and struggled to find someone I could talk to. This was when I realised the importance of having a support system of people you feel comfortable with, so I became interested in volunteering for mental health causes. I started volunteering when I was in Temasek Polytechnic, and continued with the SMU Peer Helpers Associate programme.

There are times when I’m scrolling through Instagram and I see peers who post about feeling down. I make it a point to reach out to see if they are okay or need help. I think most people have difficulties that we may not see, so I hope that the new Youth Mental Well-being Network can explore how to better equip peer supporters all around Singapore.”

If you are passionate about youth mental well-being, connect with us too at www.reach.gov.sg/youth-mental-well-being

Know of someone who needs advice on caring for a loved-one who has lost mental capacity?
 
We have some free resources that can help shed more light on frequent questions caregivers have.

Share this sign-up link: go.gov.sg/deputyshipdutieswebinar for our Deputyship Duties webinar on 23 March.

On World Social Work Day today, #LetsMeet Sakshi Dovedy, 26, a Child Protection Officer at MSF.

“I chose to be a Child Protection Officer because I've always wanted to work with vulnerable children and families. Common misperceptions others have about these families are that they are disempowered and victims of their circumstances. Nothing can be further from the truth. The families I work with have taught me the power of hope and resilience, and what it means to never give up. In getting to know them, I seek out their strengths to help them achieve their potential.

Social Work can get challenging but social workers never walk alone. The children and families are supported by people like myself and professionals in the community who journey alongside them. When tough days come, I look at the children to remind myself why I joined the Child Protective Service in the first place.”

Visit go.gov.sg/msf-covid-19-advisories for the latest health advisories for our preschool community & vulnerable groups.

Update as of 19 Mar: Students, clients and staff of preschools, student care centres, residential and community-based facilities who have returned from overseas on or after 14 March will be issued a 14-day Leave of Absence (LOA). The date of return counts as Day 0. This is in addition to MOH's announcement that travellers entering Singapore will be issued a Stay-Home Notice.

The 14-day LOA measure will take effect from 20 March to allow parent, clients and caregivers time to make alternative care arrangements. If you have travelled and are already back in your centre, we strongly urge you to start your LOA immediately.

Let’s stay safe and healthy together!

Sharing a midweek video on key highlights from Minister Desmond Lee’s #Budget2020 speech.

Together with our partners, we will continue to push ahead with efforts to transform our social safety net so that Singaporeans will receive more comprehensive, convenient and coordinated help.

To ensure a safe and healthy environment for our preschools and student care centres, a 14-day Leave of Absence (LOA) will be issued to students and staff who have returned from overseas travel on or after 14 Mar. The date of return counts as Day 0. This is in addition to MOH's announcement that travellers entering Singapore will be issued a Stay-Home Notice.

The LOA will take effect tomorrow 20 Mar, so that parents have time to make alternative care arrangements.

The full details of the additional precautionary measure can be found here http://go.gov.sg/additionalprecautionarymeasures. Parents who have any questions can approach your child’s preschool or student care centre.

Happy FriYAY everyone!

Here's a cheery sticker pack for you to spread love and positivity in your everyday convos with family and friends.

Inclusion is not just a vision. It is action. From consolidating disability support services to giving greater peace of mind for caregivers, MSF will continue to put individuals and families at the centre of our work. Here's how we will be taking action beyond #Budget2020.

Our MSF Family celebrates World Down Syndrome Day today by donning our most colourful socks to raise greater awareness of Down syndrome.

The theme this year is “We Decide”, which focuses on empowering all persons with Down syndrome to fully participate in decision making about matters affecting their lives.

Join us and MINDS in building an inclusive society for persons with Down syndrome by snapping a photo of yourself in colourful socks, tagging @weloveminds, #SGMINDS and #WDSD!

Let Alister Ong from AWWA share with us how we can support colleagues with disabilities at work.

Small acts of kindness can go a long way and together, we can build a more inclusive workplace.

#SeeTheTrueMe #InclusiveSG

Some working parents have shared how having their children nurtured at student care centres for after-school care gives them peace of mind. Here is how we will be providing higher subsidies for more families to ensure that such services remain accessible and affordable. #Budget2020

Are you keeping safe and staying healthy by keeping abreast of the latest advisories? Here's a little reminder on what we should all do to beat COVID-19!

#SGUnited

Visit go.gov.sg/msf-covid-19-advisories for the latest health advisories for our preschool community & vulnerable groups.

Update as of 24 Mar: Preschool and Primary school-aged children will be required to stay away from preschool/school/student care for 14 days on Leave of Absence (LOA) - even if they have not travelled - if they are living with someone who:

(i) has returned from US, UK or ASEAN countries from 14 Mar; or (ii) returns from any other country from 25 Mar

Day 0 starts on the day the traveller returns to Singapore. The child can return to preschool/school/student care on day 15 if he/she is well.

Preschools, Student Care Centres, Early Intervention Programme for Infants & Children/Pilot for Private Intervention Providers will continue operations with the necessary precautions and safe distancing measures in place.
 
Let’s stay safe and healthy together!

The #SGUnited spirit shines through amidst COVID-19 at local charity organisation SPD. Many warm-hearted Singaporeans came together to support the staff and service users through donations of supplies and encouraging words.

Such acts of kindness uplifts the spirits of everyone, it’s what we need as we continue the fight against the virus together!

#SingaporeTogether

“Being in the social service (sector) requires empathy and the desire to help, whether it is on the ground or at the policy level. Ultimately, what makes a good social assistance officer is not just the experience and skills to assist and advocate for families, but the passion to want to make a difference to the lives of the most vulnerable.”

#LetsMeet Desmond Lim, an MSF Social Assistance Officer who helps the residents of Bukit Panjang. Read more about his experience here: https://go.gov.sg/msf-sao-desmond-lim