Technical Assistance (TA) consists of non-monetary interventions in the following forms, which are designed to enhance the capability of LSWDOs based on needs assessment, for the effective implementation of SWD programs, projects and services:

1. TRAINING – an activity that aims to modify/enhance competencies (knowledge, skills and/or behavior_ or staff and partners through learning experience.

2. TRAINING OF TRAINERS – a training program that focuses on developing the capability of a participants to transfer knowledge and skills; it develops participants’ capabilities to a trainer’s level of standard

3. ORIENTATION – an activity intended to provide new information such as as policies, protocols, programs, guidelines and the like or to provide existing information to a new audience.

4. DEMONSTRATION SESSIONS – a visual or actual presentation showing how something works i.e., its operation or use through example, illustration or experimentation; example, management of SWD cases of children, youth, women, persons with disability, older persons, families in crisis, disaster risk reduction and management (including disaster mitigation, response and recovery), program development, among others. This also involves experiential learning through learning visits/field visits and the like.

5. WORKSHOP – an activity where a group of people learn some methods and develop skills to do a specific role or function

6. FORUM – an activity where ideas and views n a particular topic are exchanged.

7. CONSULTATION OR SHARING SESSION – a meeting between two or more people to share their experiences, insights and knowledge on an identified challenge or problem, which promotes collective learning and develop networks among those invited it is about gathering knowledge from knowledge brokers before embarking on an activity or project or when facing a difficulty in the course of related events. This includes focus group discussions and sharing of SWD good practices and research results for policy and program development/enhancement

8. CONFERENCE – a format meeting where people who have a common interest exchange information and views.

9. COACHING – an informal but personal on-the-job training technique that focuses on developing a person’s skills, knowledge and work performance; often spontaneous, coaching usually occurs between a line manager and his or her staff, although other individuals may also find themselves in coaching situations as the need arises.

10. MENTORING – a career management tool used to nurture and develop staff in an organizational it occurs between two people in a work setting, and its purpose is to transfer knowledge and information, share wisdom and experience, and offer advice and help in a confidential manner

Resource Augmentation (RA) is the provision of support to LGUs/LSWDOs in the following forms, for the immediate response and early recovery of victims of disaster and implementation of other LSWDO-led programs and projects as mandated by existing laws and as may be provided for by existing DSWD policies and programs

1. SUPPLIES AND MATERIALS – comprise the provision of food and non-food items such as family food packs, family kits or sleeping kits, kitchen kits and hygiene kits in disaster relief operations

2. FUNDING – entails the transfer of funds for disaster response and early recovery initiatives and other LSWDO-led programs and projects as mandated by existing laws and as may be provided for by existing DSWD policies and programs

3. HUMAN RESOURCE – involves the interim deployment of DSWD officials and/or staff for the implementation of disaster response and early recover initiatives and other related activities

PROCEDURES FOR THE PROVISION OF TARA

Situation Analysis

1. Once every three (3) years, a situation analysis shall be conducted by the DSWD Field Offices (FOs), including needs assessment of the following work areas: administration and organization; program management; and, institutional mechanisms. Situation analysis can be drawn from the ability of LSWDOs to respond to issues and concerns identified in the local SWD situationer, as derived from the Social Protection and Development Report studies, evaluations/assessments (e.g., Family Risk and Vulnerability Assessment), and other relevant report (i.e., about social protection systems and standards).

2. Correspondingly, the needs assessment of LSWDOs shall be undertaken (also once every three [3] years) using the enhanced DSWD Tool for the Assessment of the Functionality of Local Social Welfare and Development Offices in the Philippines, which shall be issued in consonance herewith. Towards the end, specific gaps, problems or issues and concerns (i.e., functionality indicators (under work areas)) not complied or difficult to comply with affecting the capacity of LSWDOs – shall have been identified with the corresponding needs and interventions or specific TA and/or RA required

3. In line with the needs assessment for determining TARA requirements of LSWDOs, their levels of functionality shall be defined operationally in the aforesaid assessment tool, as enhanced

4. The DSWD FOs shall inform the local chief executives and heads of LSWDOs of the results of situation analysis, including the results of needs assessment (that is, the LSWDOs functionality assessment).

Planning

1. Planning for the TARA program involves the formulation of regional TARA plan for LSWDOs, which shall have coverage of three (3) years, according to the results of needs assessment and in consultation with said offices. In that order, appropriate interventions or specific TA and/or RA shall be identified and agreed upon with LSWDOs.

2. Partially functional and functional LSWDOs that are interested in availing of the DSWD TARA Program shall be prioritized for the provision of TA and/or RA

3. The DSWD FOs, in partnership with LSWDOs concerned, shall formulate a 3-year regional TARA plan (Annex A) comprised of the following: Functionality Work Areas; Indicators for Improvement; Desired Results; Target LSWDOs; Forms of TARA (with Specific Activities or Interventions); Timeframe (of each TARA Activity or Intervention); Responsible Office/Division/Section and Official/Officer; and. Resource Requirement (with Amount and Source).

4. Any support of the Offices/Bureaus/Services (OBSs) at the DSWD Central Office (CO) for interventions set by the DSWD FOs in the 3-year regional TARA plan for LSWDOs shall also be identified. The DSWD FOs shall then coordinate with the DSWD CO OBSs any support/TARA that the latter may provide. Likewise, the DSWD OBSs concerned shall include the same in their respective TARA plans.

5. Hence, the DSWD FOs shall furnish a copy of their respective 3-year regional TARA plans to the DSWD CO OBSs concerned, including the Policy Development and Planning Bureau (PDPB).

Partnership Contracting

Partnership contracting marks the commitment of the DSWD FOs and LSWDOs to the implementation of the DSWD TARA Program

1. The DSWD FOs shall forge a partnership agreement with LGUs/LSWDOs (Annex B) through the local chief executive and head of the LSWDO, as supported or authorized by the local legislative council (i.e., sangguniang panlalawigan, sangguniang panlungsod or sangguniang bayan), to implement the interventions (specific TA and/or RA) set in the 3year regional TARA plan.

2. In case of changes in the TARA plan (mutually agreed upon by the DSWD FOs and LSWDOs concerned) resulting from the annual review thereof, he partnership agreement may be amended or supplemented

3. The validity of respective partnership agreements with LGUs/LSWDOs shall be for a period of three (3) years, in sync with the 3-year regional TARA plan.

Implementation

1. The DSWD TARA Program for LSWDOs, specifically the planned interventions, shall be implemented consistent with the forms of TA and RA defined in the preceding section.

2. Under TA, the implementation of capability building activities should be designed in accordance with the standards set by the DSWD Social Welfare Institutional Development Bureau (SWIDB) and conducted through the following phases:

   • A. Preparatory Phase

     • I. Work areas of LSWDOs needing TA shall be appropriately identified. Needs assessment may also be based on reports submitted to the DSWD SWIDB

     • II. The form(s) of TA Shall have to be determined upon consultation with LSWDOs. Thereafter, the LSWDOs concerned should be properly informed about the provision of TA form(s)

   • B. Actual Conduct of TA

     • I. A courtesy call to the local chief executives and heads of LSWDOs concerned shall be made, which includes presentation of the program of TA activities and purpose of each TA.

     • II. The conduct of TA activities should be compliant with the prepared program

     • III. Exit conference may be held for the TA provided. Significant findings/observations and recommendations shall be discussed and agreements reached shall have to be recorded.

     • IV. During feedback, LSWDOs concerned may respond to findings/observations discussed during the the exit conference. A satisfaction survey form may also be filled out by the LSWDOs.

   • C. Post-TA Phase
     • I. A feedback report shall be prepared by the staff of the DSWD FOs/OBSs concerned on TA activities conducted, capturing findings/observations, recommendations and lessons learned. Such report may be initially shared to or discussed with the Local Social Welfare and Development Officer during exit conference. The same shall then be officially transmitted by the DSWD FO Director.
     • II. Follow-through actions on agreements reached, as a result of the TA provided, shall have been identified as well.