The Poster Exhibition shares how agencies have introduced or enhanced initiatives to adapt due to the pandemic, with the hope of inspiring other practitioners and agencies to pivot in the changing times.
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Beyond the Walls – Promoting Safe Transitions Home
by Yishun Community Hospital (YCH)
Transitions from hospital to home can be stressful. The YCH Medical Social Service facilitates safe transition of patients through early identification, good handover, and follow-through. The seamless workflow promotes good outcomes for patients, their caregivers, the hospital, and community partners.
Preparedness Response Team – The Traditional vs The Technology
by Viriya Community Services
During the pandemic, social service practitioners have had to innovate to meet their clients' needs through technology. However, traditional face-to-face engagement is still necessary at times. Viriya Community Services was quick to form a Preparedness Response Team to investigate how the Traditional could be fused with technology to assure the best client outcome.
Delivering Continued Quality Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic
by Viriya Community Services
Viriya Community Services was among the first to respond to the changing needs of the community during COVID-19 and shifted their resources online to support the community. They developed online forums to cover issues such as substance use, stress, and anxiety, as well as online groupwork for individuals who required more intensive support.
Creating Safety in Systems for Quality Service Delivery
by Viriya Community Services
Viriya Community Services adopted the Safe Systems Improvement Tool - Reflective to guide them in executing safe and effective practices to ensure their continual and accessible service delivery.
Online Triple-P (Level 3) During the COVID-19 Pandemic
F.U.N. Kids @ THK – Centre for Family Harmony
by Thye Hwa Kwan Moral Charities
1. Online Triple-P (Level 3) During the COVID-19 Pandemic
THK Centre for Family Harmony @ Circuit has been providing Triple-P, a parenting programme online. Based on 158 participants, results showed that virtual sessions have been well received, though staff faced initial challenges.
2. F.U.N Kids @ THK – Centre for Family Harmony
Play therapy is emphasised in THK’s Divorce Support Specialist Agency. Traditionally carried out face to face with children, THK explored how virtual play therapy could be done differently. Staff's mental preparations for virtual sessions are key to the success of virtual play therapy.
Integrated Geriatric Care Model
by Thye Hwa Kwan Moral Charities
Every Cluster and their staff have methods to keep track of their KPI deadlines. During the pandemic, staff in Cluster Support are in teams with alternate schedules. This further complicates the tracking of work processes and deadlines. To address the challenges, THK initiated a new Case Management System by tapping on technology.
Gamification of Virtual Group Work During COVID-19
by Tan Tock Seng Hospital
COVID-19 had affected Singapore’s migrant worker community extensively. Many were admitted to Tan Tock Seng Hospital and Community Care Facilities (CCF) where they were segregated and isolated to contain the spread of the virus. Recognising the importance of continuity of care and social connectedness, the team harnessed benefits and ease of accessibility of virtual platforms to continue engaging migrant workers via virtual group work even after they transferred to CCFs. Using gamification, the team addressed and communicated psychoeducational topics such as emotional coping, love language and transitioning back to work. The poster illustrates the process and learnings from the use of gamification as a modality for psychoeducational group activities with migrant workers.
Supporting Children of Parents with Disabilities
by SPD
Since May 2021, SPD developed a new initiative to include orientation for children of parents with disabilities as part of their Caregiver Support Program. This orientation involves an experiential tour of SPD’s building, introduction to assistive equipment and videos of persons with disabilities doing sports, work and leisure activities and an activity to understand the child’s perception of disability through emotion cards.
HEY, How arE You?
by SPD
The HEY series: How arE You? during the circuit breaker period was an initiative by SPD social workers to guide staff in navigating the period of uncertainty to foster employee well-being remotely. The four-part series featured infographics focusing on topics ranging from self-care, managing conflict at home, and maintaining good mental and physical well-being.
Understanding & Supporting Our Larger Universe: Profiling 3,000 Rental Households & COVID-Fund Distribution
by South Central Community (SCC) Family Service Centre
During the pandemic, SCC was concerned about the impact on the remaining rental population they served. SCC created fundraising campaigns to pool together funds that benefitted 3,000 rental households, through a survey of 6 domains profiled to better understand the changing needs of rental communities. This inclusive exercise shed light on the current predicament and challenges faced by rental communities. The findings will help inform SCC on the next steps of interventive work.
Project C.C.O.V.I.D (Community Caring of Others through Valiant & Inclusive Decisions)
by South Central Community Family Service Centre
In 2020, families with low-wage income earners and/or ad-hoc workers were significantly affected. Project C.C.O.V.I.D. hopes to alleviate the impact on those whose livelihoods were affected by COVID-19 through a more proactive, inclusive, and supportive approach. The team and community connectors (clients/residents who are connected in their communities) came together to conceptualise, plan, execute and evaluate the project over 6 months. Relevant education and learning resources were matched to families to provide conducive digital learning for their children.
Better Together: I Wish You Enough 2020
by South Central Community Family Service Centre
I Wish U Enough (IWUE) is a movement that culminates in an annual event as part of the community and SCC’s initiative to strengthen the Gotong Royong Spirit. This signifies neighbours coming together to contribute in their own ways so that the needs of everyone are satisfied. In 2020, the team worked within limitations of COVID-19 restrictions to mobilise the community. Virtual engagements and platforms were hosted on Facebook to facilitate online community discussions.
Project Actor
It is important for practitioners to build competency in delivering intervention services, especially with the complexities of social problems. The pandemic disrupted the feasibility of some educational means to strengthen the practice skills of social work students and practitioners. To resolve these challenges creatively, Project Actor started in 2020 to introduce Simulation Based Learning (SBL) to develop the skills of practitioners and students in the social service sector.
How Digital Literacy Empowers Seniors to Mitigate the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons from Project E-Seniors
by Montfort Care
Montfort Care recognised the need for older adults to be digitally connected. In 2020, a committee was formed within Montfort Care programmes (i.e. GoodLife! and Young-at-Heart), where the committee brainstormed for concepts and developed training materials that suited older adults’ learning. Since July 2020, Montfort Care provided training for staff on conducting training for seniors and successfully rolled out this initiative. Staff outreach to seniors and Project E-Seniors trainings were conducted with a step-by-step booklet to guide them on the use of mobile applications.
Multidisciplinary Interventions for A&E Frequent Attenders
by Khoo Teck Puat Hospital
A&E Frequent Attenders (FAs) are high utilisers of the healthcare system. To address their medical and psychosocial issues, a multidisciplinary case management pilot programme has been set up to follow-up with them within the community. The care team engages FAs together with health and social care partners to reduce episodic, unconnected care, as well as to optimise resources within the healthcare system.
Stumbling Block or Stepping Stone? Transforming Psychiatric Social Work in Emergency Services During COVID-19
by Institute of Mental Health
The pandemic necessitated several changes in service delivery at the Institute of Mental Health's emergency services. Beyond a double fold increase in case referrals, there was an increased complexity of cases during the period when new infection control measures were introduced. While the unprecedented challenges that surfaced during this period required quick thinking and adjustments almost daily, it also brought on new opportunities for Medical Social Workers to reposition their roles and services to support patients seen at the emergency services. This poster aims to provide some learnings and innovations made at the hospital's emergency services, by turning stumbling blocks brought by the crisis into stepping stones of breakthroughs.
Harnessing Digital Technology in Keeping COVID-19 Exhaustion at Bay at the Workplace
by Institute of Mental Health
With the onset of the pandemic, containment measures to ensure work sustainability saw the hospital staff being re-organised into split teams and working in different parts of the hospital, with many working from home. This poster details the administrative and educational processes developed within the Medical Social Work (MSW) department to ensure that MSWs are effectively equipped and supported to apply the digital technology which has become the main stay in patient communication.
Ensuring the Continuity and Coordination of Care in a COVID-19 Disrupted World
by Institute of Mental Health
Facilitating the right-siting of persons with mental health challenges from a psychiatric hospital setting to stepdown facilities in the community became more complex when COVID-19 struck. Despite numerous challenges encountered in the initial uncertainties, the care coordination team in the Institute of Mental Health managed to put in place processes to ensure a smoother transition of this vulnerable group to the community. This presentation describes the steep learning curve that the care coordination team went through and the key takeaways from navigating the ongoing crisis.
Youth Work in COVID-19 Times
by AMKFSC Community Services
Due to COVID-19 measures, many people were unable to connect with family, friends and loved ones physically. Many young persons spoke about feeling lonely and having a sense of hopelessness and isolation during those trying times. Youth Infinity took an innovative approach by using technology to spruce up their lives. From online counselling, to formal groupwork programmes, youth outreach and engagement activities, Youth Infinity demonstrated their creativity and offer their services via virtual platforms.
Special thanks to the agencies that are participating in the Poster Exhibition on 26 August 2021:
AMKFSC Community Services
Youth Work in COVID-19 Times
Chong Qian Yun
Social Worker
Blossom Chan
Assistant Senior Social Worker
Institute of Mental Health
Stumbling Block or Stepping Stone? Transforming Psychiatric Social Work in Emergency Services during COVID-19
Gideon Ng
Senior Medical Social Worker
Roger Tan Boon Meng
Principal Medical Social Worker
Harnessing Digital Technology in Keeping COVID-19 Exhaustion at Bay at the Workplace
Chan Lay Lin
Principal Medical Social Worker
Roger Tan Boon Meng
Principal Medical Social Worker
Ensuring the Continuity and Coordination of Care in a COVID-19 Disrupted World
Roger Tan Boon Meng
Principal Medical Social Worker
Lee Kaiyi
Senior Medical Social Worker
Montfort Care
How Digital Literacy Empowers Seniors to Mitigate the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons from Project E-Seniors
Teo Gek Theng
Programme Associate
Rachel Ong
Social Worker
Lim Sio Leng
Programme Manager
Project Actor Organisers
Project Actor
Nancy Ng and Wong Liling
Ministry of Social and Family Development
Teo Poh Leng and Chung You Jin
Singapore University of Social Sciences
Anthony Mok, Ker Yin Horng and Sonny Ong
Social Service Institute
Yet Tun Hoong
Viriya Community Services
Gary Chia
SPD
Poon Kay Yan
Thye Hua Kwan Moral Charities
Jasmine Yeo
Private Practitioner
Reynard Lye
Private Practitioner
South Central Community Family Services Centre
Project C.C.O.V.I.D (Community Caring of Others through Valiant & Inclusive Decisions)
Denise Liu
Research Executive
Ruth Tan
Executive Director
Better Together: I Wish You Enough 2020
Denise Liu
Research Executive
Ruth Tan
Executive Director
Understanding & Supporting Our Larger Universe: Profiling 3000 Rental Households & COVID-Fund Distribution
Denise Liu
Research Executive
Ruth Tan
Executive Director
SPD
Supporting Children of Parents with Disabilities
Samantha Law
Case Management Officer
Koh Yeng Yeng
Senior Case Management Officer
HEY, How arE You?
Chia Xin Yi
Social Worker
Tan Tock Seng Hospital
Gamification of Virtual Group Work During COVID-19
Lim Shiao Wei
Medical Social Worker
Lee Qing Hui
Medical Social Worker
Thye Hwa Kwan Moral Charities
Online Triple-P (Level 3) During the COVID-19 Pandemic
F.U.N Kids @ THK – Centre for Family Harmony
Wilson Mack
Clinical Director
Peronna Lee
Senior Counsellor
Ho Mei Lin, Serene
Intern
Integrated Geriatric Care Model
Adelina Chan
Centre Director
Edward Hoon
Centre Director (Designate)
Khor Boon Hua
Centre Director
Tan Jin Le
Volunteer Executive
Viriya Community Services
Preparedness Response Team – The Traditional vs. The Technology
Yet Tun Hoong
Head of Department, Community Building Programmes, Division of Community Development
Head of Department, Professional and Student Liaison, Division of Professional Practice & Development
Delivering Continued Quality Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Sandra Loo
Assistant Director
Woo Peiyi
Assistant Director
Pearlene Ng
Senior Clinical Psychologist
Michelle Chen
Senior Counsellor
Yu Xinyao
Social Worker
Creating Safety in Systems for Quality Service Delivery
Goh Yan Ling
Senior Lead Social Worker
Liang Ting Ting
Assistant Lead Social Worker
Indu S Nair
Assistant Lead Counsellor
Yishun Community Hospital and Khoo Teck Puat Hospital
Beyond the Walls - Promoting Safe Transitions Home
Esther Koh Hwee Cheng
Senior Medical Social Worker, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital
Jovina Cheng Khim
Medical Social Worker, Yishun Community Hospital
Social Service Practitioners were invited to view the Zoom Presentations to be held on 31 August and 1 September 2021. Different organisations come together to share their practices, programmes, and projects, with the aim of working towards building a future-ready professional workforce in the social service sector.
31 August 2021 AM Session
Supporting Parents of Street Youth – A Virtual Experience
by Fei Yue Community Services (FYCS)
Find out how Fei Yue (Youth GO!) piloted an online Parent Support Group (PSG) to mitigate runaway episodes of street youths during the pandemic. The PSG became an unexpected safe space for parents to discuss parenting issues and challenges, gain emotional support, and co-create parenting strategies with Youth GO! workers. FYCS will share key learning points, considerations, and challenges in their first ever online PSG.
Click here to view Zoom recording.
From Clients to Contributors: Building Communities in the Neighbourhood
by AMKFSC Community Services
Ever wondered what happens when clients become contributors? Ever wondered how community work can be done creatively during this pandemic? Join this session to hear how current beneficiaries are empowered as contributors and look out for the community during this pandemic through acts like delivering food to neighbours. Find out how this transformation was also enabled through community building efforts, including invitations to contribute and co-create with beneficiaries.
Click here to view Zoom recording.
Restorative Practices: Restoring, Empowering and Protecting Youth
by Youth Residential Service, Ministry of Social and Family Development
For many Youth at Risk, they require a nurturing environment to reintegrate back into society. Find out how the Youth Residential Service used Restorative Practices principles at the Singapore Boys’ and Girls’ Homes to strengthen conflict resolution and restore the lives of youthful clients.
Click here to view Zoom recording.
31 August 2021 PM Session
Breaking New Ground in Disability Services: MINDS Community Forensic Services
by MINDS
For persons with intellectual disabilities (ID) involved in crime, the road ahead is filled with challenges. To meet the current gaps for offenders, victims and witnesses with ID, MINDS launched a new service, Community Forensic Services in 2021. It supports offenders, victims, and witnesses with ID through the different stages of the criminal justice process, using a community-based case management approach. This service is especially important to help the rehabilitation process of offenders with ID, and support victims and witnesses with ID affected by crime.
View introductory video to MINDS Community Forensic Services here.
The Caregiver Community Lab: Enhancing the Caregiving Experience
by Montfort Care
Caregivers are the unsung heroes in providing care to vulnerable clients. Learn how Montfort Care piloted a project to improve the caregiving experience of caregivers in Radin Mas by enhancing services systemically. Using the Design Thinking framework, Montfort Care journeyed with caregivers and community stakeholders to uncover barriers and gaps within the care system and improve caregiving experiences during the pandemic.
Click here to view Zoom recording.
Online Groupwork in the Pandemic: What Works?
by Viriya Community Services
Learn how Viriya Community Services piloted an exploratory project to highlight the challenges and creative solutions of online groupwork, from the practitioners’ and clients’ perspective. Discover essential skills and ethical considerations required to effectively design an online groupwork intervention. The project’s findings will aid practitioners and organisations in future online groupwork sessions.
Click here to view Zoom recording.
1 September 2021 PM Session
Agility in Critical Times
by Adult Protective Service, Ministry of Social and Family Development
Learn about how the Adult Protective Service displayed agility as a division to enable staff to navigate the pandemic when working from home. Find out how their Division adapted quickly to address staff engagement during online engagements, and strategies adopted through inter-agency collaboration to streamline processes and enhance services.
Click here to view Zoom recording.
Upper Room – Mental Health Intervention for Youths
by TOUCH Community Services
Upper Room is an intervention programme aimed at improving the functioning of youths with mental health issues to strengthen their intrapersonal and interpersonal capacities, coping skills, and help families manage their psychological distress. TOUCH won the Outstanding Award at the Wofoo Asian Award for Advancing Family Well-Being 2020, together with other international presenters.
Click here to view Zoom recording.
Piloting a Mood Disorders Group in the Time of COVID-19
by Institute of Mental Health
Find out how the Mood Disorders Unit in the Institute of Mental Health, which specialises in tertiary psychiatric treatment for adults with depressive and bipolar disorders, recreated ways for treatment continuity and responded to the rise in COVID-19 related distress through outpatient group therapy programmes. This pilot has offered valuable insights in navigating clinical challenges in an online setting, and the benefits of group tele-mental health services in Singapore.
Click here to view Zoom recording.
Special thanks to the agencies who participated in the Zoom Presentations on 31 August and 1 September 2021:
Adult Protective Service, Ministry of Social and Family Development
Agility in Critical Times
Ng Kiah Yin
Manager
Jessica Cheah
Senior Manager
AMKFSC Community Services
From Clients to Contributors: Building Communities in the Neighbourhood
Siti Adriana Bte Muhamad Rasip
Community Worker
Diana Lau
Social Worker
Nur Hidayah
Social Worker
Fadillea Nahadi
Resident in Ang Mo Kio
Fei Yue Community Services (Youth GO!)
Supporting Parents of Street Youth - A Virtual Experience
Loh Chuan Yan Rachel
Assistant Senior Social Worker
Institute of Mental Health
Piloting a Mood Disorders Group in the Time of COVID-19
Jessica Chan
Senior Medical Social Worker
Roger Tan Boon Meng
Principal Medical Social Worker
MINDS
Breaking New Ground in Disability Services: MINDS Community Forensic Services
Jocelyn Tan
Head of Social Work
Montfort Care
The Caregiver Community Lab: Enhancing the Caregiving Experience
Gina Peh
Social Worker
Wang Yu Hsuan
Director
TOUCH Community Services
Upper Room – Mental Health Intervention for Youths
Peggy Lim
Social Worker
Lucia Chow
Senior Social Worker
Andrea Chan
Head, TOUCH Community Services
Viriya Community Services
Online Groupwork in the Pandemic: What Works?
Woo Peiyi
Assistant Director
Yu Xinyao
Social Worker
Youth Residential Service, Rehabilitation and Protection Group, Ministry of Social and Family Development
Restorative Practices: Restoring, Empowering and Protecting Youth
Nur Fitriah Alias
Senior Youth Guidance Officer
Syamil Siddiq Rahim
Senior Youth Guidance Officer
Espall Kaur
Assistant Manager
Perummalammal Vailmuthu
Senior Manager
Dennis Loh
Manager
