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

Today, Minister Desmond Lee addressed the new COVID-19 cluster at PCF Sparkletots @ Fengshan, where an additional teacher from the centre and a staff’s family member have tested positive today. 5 children from the centre who were unwell have all tested negative. Minister Lee reiterates our commitment to maintaining high standards across all preschools to ensure the preschool community’s health and safety.

Hooray, It’s FRI-YAY! Are your kids going to spend the weekend playing video games? 🎮

Keep an eye on their gaming habits to protect them from gaming and gambling addiction. Find out more in this short film by Pretty Much Films.

More support will be provided for lower- to middle-income Singaporeans affected by the COVID-19 situation, as part of the Resilience Budget announced by DPM Heng Swee Keat yesterday.

The Temporary Relief Fund and The COVID-19 Support Grant will provide support to Singaporeans who are affected. Those who require support in the longer term will be assessed for ComCare assistance.

Find out more about the support available here go.gov.sg/supportforcovid19
We will get through this together!

#SGTogether #SGUnited

In celebration of Earth Hour, we will be switching off the lights at the MSF building from 8:30pm to 9:30pm tonight to raise awareness of nature loss and climate change.

Our individual actions can make a huge impact when we band together. Let’s #Connect2Earth and show our collective support for this one place we call home! 🌏

Thanks to the generosity of Singaporeans, over $5.9 million has been raised through the Courage Fund. The fund will be put to good use to support dependents of those who succumb to the virus, healthcare workers, frontline workers and community volunteers who contract the virus in their course of duty as well as lower-income families experiencing financial difficulties as a result of their family member(s) contracting the virus, or having to serve Quarantine Orders, Stay-Home Notices or mandatory Leave of Absence.

Application details are available on www.ncss.gov.sg/thecouragefund. Eligible households can also apply at their nearest Social Service Office from 6 April 2020 onwards.

#SGUnited #SingaporeTogether

Did you know? More Singaporeans are now marrying foreigners and starting a family with them. 💍👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
 
@Mothershipsg hits the streets to find out what people think about this trend.

Know of someone who needs immediate support to tide-through COVID-19?

We've put together various help schemes for affected individuals. More details on them and how to apply can be found here. Share this infographic with your loved-ones and friends. Let's get through this together! #SGUnited #SingaporeTogether

Have you heard about the support schemes available for Singapore Citizens/PRs affected by COVID-19? We've put together a video on how individuals and families who are financially impacted can get help easily and quickly. If you know anyone who may find this helpful, please share this with them.

More details at go.gov.sg/msf-covid19-support

#SGUnited #SingaporeTogether #SGCares

#LetsMeet Chalmers Wong, 15, and his mum, Magdalene Ong, 49, as we celebrate World Autism Awareness Day today.

“Chalmers was diagnosed with moderate to severe autism when he was about 18 months old. It is difficult for him to have normal conversations with people and he struggles to express his emotions. When he was about 5 years old, we exposed him to different activities, and discovered he had interests in bowling, painting and drumming.

I know it will be difficult for him to work in a regular work environment in future, so earlier this year, I set up an online art gallery, SpecialThots.com, for him to sell his paintings and other items based on his designs, such as gifts, home decor items, as well as clothing and accessories. 10 per cent of the proceeds go to supporting Singapore Special Voices and the Bowling Association for the Disabled (Singapore), because we believe in giving back. We want to encourage more parents to help their children with special needs discover their talents too.”

Singapore Citizens/PRs who have lost their job or at least 30% of income because of COVID-19, can apply for the Temporary Relief Fund.

Here is a guide to get applications processed as smoothly as possible - just 3 steps!

Download the application form here: http://go.gov.sg/msf-covid19-support.

Applications are open till 30 April 2020, so please do not rush.

We are also thankful for your feedback to improve the process. We are working hard to make online applications available next week.

With the major circuit breaker announced today, MSF, ECDA, and NCSS are going a step further to keep our families, colleagues and clients safe and well, while making sure that the vulnerable among us continue to access support.

Preschools & Student Care Centres (SCCs)
• All general services suspended from 8 April to 4 May; children to stay at home
• Preschools will remain open to serve parents who have to continue to work in the essential services and who are unable to find alternative caregiving arrangements. These parents can approach preschools/schools for assistance
• All subsidies will continue for April, with minimum attendance requirement waived
• Home-based learning resources for preschoolers to be shared next week

Essential Services to Continue
• MSF will suspend or reduce non-essential and non-urgent services from 7 April to 4 May
• Essential services (e.g. at Social Service Offices and Residential homes) will continue to serve our vulnerable, with appropriate safe distancing measures in place
• MSF services and funded social service agencies involved in crisis interventions for serious, high-risk and urgent cases will continue operations

While these measures will cause inconvenience, we seek your understanding and cooperation, to protect everyone’s health and safety. Let’s do our part in our fight against COVID-19!

#SGUnited #SingaporeTogether

📢 Want to apply for the Temp Relief Fund (TRF)? Counter services for TRF at all Social Service Offices (SSOs) and Community Centres/Clubs (CCs) will not open this weekend, and will resume on Monday!

If you'd like to submit your form over the weekend, you can still collect TRF application forms from designated self service areas at the SSOs/CCs and submit the completed forms, with supporting documents, via drop off boxes.

Otherwise, our online application system is coming up next week! No rush, there's time to apply as applications only close on 30 Apr.

Do the right thing and stay home, everyone! Go out only when you must, but protect yourself. And spread the word (but not rumours 🤐)!

#SGUnited #SingaporeTogether