XN000022-1992-02-26 — Page 28

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992

PER

SINCE NOVEMBER LAST YEAR, A CHILD SUPPLEMENT OF $185 PER CHILD MONTH HAS BEEN INTRODUCED TO PROVIDE AN ALLOWANCE FOR DEPENDENT CHILDREN OF FAMILIES ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.

APART FROM FINANCIAL SUPPORT, PUBLIC HOUSING CAN BE ARRANGED FOR ELIGIBLE SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES ON COMPASSIONATE GROUNDS.

"SINCE JULY 1991, PERSONS WITH DEPENDENT CHILDREN CAN BE GRANTED A CONDITIONAL TENANCY IN A PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE, IF THEY ARE UNDERGOING DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS AND HAVE A GENUINE NEED FOR HOUSING, THE SECRETARY NOTED.

"THE TENANCY WILL BE CONFIRMED WHEN THEY HAVE OBTAINED LEGAL CUSTODY OF THEIR CHILDREN THROUGH COURT PROCEEDINGS.'

OTHER SUPPORTING SERVICES INCLUDE:

*

CHILD CARE SERVICES INCLUDING DAY CRECHES, DAY NURSERIES, THE OCCASIONAL CHILD LAKE SERVICE, AFTER SCHOOL CARE PROGRAMMES AND, IF NECESSARY, RESIDENTIAL CARE SERVICES FOR CHILDREN FROM SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES:

ERY OF

FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES SUCH AS HOME DELIVERY OF MEALS AND ASSISTANCE WITH HOUSEHOLD (HORE; AND

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COUNSELLING TO HELP SINGLE PARENTS COPE WITH STRESS AND EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS ARISING FROM SINGLE PARENTHOOD, PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE ON PROPER CHILD CARE AND DISCIPLINE.

CONCERTED EFFORTS TAKEN TO HELP STREET SLEEPERS

THE WORKING GROUP ON STREET SLEEPERS WILL COMPLETE ITS DELIBERATIONS SOON AND INTENDS TO PRODUCE A REPORT LATER THIS YEAR.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HUI YIN-FAT, MRS WONG SAID SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR, THE WORKING GROUP HAD MET REGULARLY TO DISCUSS ISSUES CONCERNING STREET SLEEPERS.

"SOME OF ITS RECOMMENDATIONS, SUCH AS THE URBAN HOSTEL SCHEME AND MORE FLEXIBLE APPLICATION OF COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING CRITERIA FOR STREET SLEEPERS, HAVE ALREADY BEEN IMPLEMENTED, SHE NOTED.

ON THF SUGGESTION TO PROVIDE VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR STREET SLEEPERS, THE SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL. THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY, THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY AND OTHER TRAINING OFNTRES OPERATED BY NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS ALREADY PROVIDED A WIDE RANGE OF SUCH TRAINING OPEN TO ALL.

/HOWEVER, SHE