ComLink+ aims to uplift lower-income families with children residing in public rental housing towards stability, self-reliance and social mobility (3S).
ComLink+ embodies how MSF is going beyond social assistance to empowerment – we will support and partner families over the longer term as they work on their aspirations and goals.
ComLink+ will remain anchored on the same 3 pillars of support as ComLink:
- Proactive outreach to ComLink+ families to understand their needs, strengths, and aspirations.
- Journeying with families on their customised action plans.
- Partnering the community to provide Comprehensive, Convenient, and Coordinated (3C) support.
Under ComLink+, we will introduce the following enhancements:
Dedicated family coaches
Family coaches work with ComLink+ families to co-develop action plans, and coach and motivate them towards achieving their goals. Family coaches will also take the lead in coordinating support for families across multiple programmes, such as KidSTART, UPLIFT Community Network, and Project Dian@M3 to help families better navigate social support services.
ComLink+ Progress Packages
ComLink+ families that work with family coaches or Family Service Centres’ (FSC) case workers to take active steps towards their goals can also receive financial top-ups through the ComLink+ Progress Packages. These Packages will recognise and supplement ComLink+ families’ efforts in working towards:
- Giving their children a good start in education
- Stable employment
- Financial stability
- Home ownership
MSF will offer four Packages for a start. Families must fulfil the required action and meet the eligibility conditions for each Package in order to receive top-ups. Family coaches and FSC case workers will offer families the Packages based on what is appropriate for their action plans and goals (i.e. these Packages are not open for application unlike help schemes such as ComCare).
MSF will launch the ComLink+ Package for Preschool in the second half of 2024, and roll out the ComLink+ Packages for Employment, Debt Clearance and Home Ownership subsequently. The Packages will be trialled for three years, and MSF will work with local academics to evaluate their effectiveness.
Extension of support to selected families not living in public rental housing
From Mar 2024, and over the next 3 years, we will extend support to another 3,000 lower-income families that are not in public rental housing but are eligible for KidSTART or support under the UPLIFT Community Network. These families face similar challenges as current ComLink+ families living in public rental housing and would also benefit from family coach support and the ComLink+ Progress Packages.
MSF hopes to mobilise more people to join us in uplifting our ComLink+ families.
Individuals and organisations could step up to be:
Volunteer befrienders alongside our family coaches – volunteer befrienders play a key support role in journeying with ComLink+ families. Find out more here.
Donors – we invite donors to support the ComLink+ Progress Packages and other ComLink+ programmes that uplift the lives of the ComLink+ families, through financial or in-kind contributions and expertise; or to provide opportunities (e.g. mentorships, internships, jobs) to help families and their children to strengthen their social capital and build a brighter future. To find out more, please contact MSF at MSF_QSM@msf.gov.sg.
A Social Service Agency running a reading programme for ComLink+ children
Student volunteers from Nanyang Polytechnic running
a free tuition programme for ComLink+ children
A family coach reading to a ComLink+ family