Did you know that every office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has a Crisis Intervention Unit or CIU? This is a special unit that serves as an action center; it immediately responds to cases of individuals and families in crisis situations. The Central Office CIU operates on weekdays from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm, whereas the Field Offices CIUs are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The CIU provides integrated services, including immediate rescue and protection, financial assistance, material assistance, and referrals for medical, legal, and psychosocial services. In addition, it also provides Job Network Services (JNS) to its clients, while also serving as their temporary shelter until they get back on their feet.
What is JNS?
As mentioned earlier, Job Network Services (JNS) is one of the services provided by the DSWD Crisis Intervention Unit (CIU) to its clients. JNS includes job matching, occupational guidance, and counseling. It also provides cash assistance to help clients while they search for a job, and to help support their families, as well.
Basically, JNS serves as a “safety net,” providing assistance and social protection to individuals who are in dire economic situations.
Objectives of the Project
Generally, the JNS project seeks to empower and enhance the financial capability skills of unemployed individuals, thus enabling them to become self-reliant, productive, and contributing members of society.
Specifically, the project aims to:
- Provide clients with access to job placement offices or companies that provide job opportunities;
- Harness the skills and potentials of the CIU clients to become gainfully employed;
- Foster change in the impoverished situation of the CIU clients towards self-reliance and to augment their family income; and
- Put in place a network mechanism together with resource individuals and agencies who may be able to provide employment assistance.
Implementation of the JNS project is carried out in coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), manpower agencies, other job placement agencies, and the business sector.
Target Beneficiaries
The target beneficiaries of the JNS project are CIU clients who seek financial assistance for food consumption, and those who are in need of employment.
Components of the Project
The JNS project consists of three main components: social preparation, capability building, and provision of services.
1. Social Preparation
This component begins with problem determination. During this stage, the social worker assesses the client’s readiness in job-seeking.
2. Capability Building
This component involves training for CIU staff on counseling, resume preparation, posting and the use of the Internet to search for jobs.
3. Provision of Services
This component includes:
- Job Search Assistance, wherein the client is referred to companies and his/her resume is entered into job networks;
- Conditional Cash Assistance, which involves the provision of cash assistance to be used by the client for job searching and/or to help support his/her family temporarily; and
- Occupational Guidance/Counseling.
Step-by-step Process
How exactly is the JNS project implemented? First, the CIU client who is seeking assistance will be assessed by the social worker. If the client is found to be qualified for possible employment or livelihood training assistance, he/she will be referred to the career development facilitator.
Then, the career development facilitator will further assess the needs and qualifications of the client. As soon as he/she is found to be fully qualified, he/she will be included as a project beneficiary.
If, after one month of provision of services, the client has not been able to find employment — the provision of cash assistance will be stopped, but job seeking assistance will still be continued.
Moreover, all project beneficiaries will be included in the project data bank. To ensure their progress, they will also be monitored regularly by the career development facilitator.
Pilot Areas
The JNS project was pilot tested in two areas: DSWD National Capital Region (NCR) – CIU, and DSWD Region VIII – CIU.
In DSWD Region VIII, the project was carried out from 2008 to 2011. Beneficiaries included clients of the Field Office’s CIU. They received the following services: job matching, occupational guidance and counseling, and skills training. They also received cash assistance for transportation and processing of requirements, along with food subsidy while waiting for job placement.
As of October 23, 2009, the project had served a total of 66 clients with more than PHP 239,000 worth of services. Among these clients, 24 received assistance for skills training on household services, food and beverage service, call center training, computer technology skills, and security service.
Meanwhile, 11 clients received job search assistance, and 31 clients availed of the Self-Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran (SEA-K) Program for livelihood projects. Among those assisted for skills training and job placement, 15 are now gainfully employed.
Throughout the course of the project, clients were required to render community services such as: performing clerical tasks, performing janitorial tasks, and participating in “clean and green” activities in their respective barangays and municipalities.
Latest Updates
These days, the DSWD has a more recent program, the Food Stamp Program or FSP. Interestingly, this program has several components, including the following
- Nutrition Education Sessions;
- Organizing of Beneficiaries and Retailers;
- Inventory of Local Merchants/Small and Midsize Enterprises (SMEs);
- Retail and Market Analysis;
- Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT);
- Social Behavior Change Communication;
- Resource Generation and Mobilization; and
- Job Network Services and Employment Promotion.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Meanwhile, here are some commonly asked questions about the JNS project:
1. What is JNS?
JNS stands for “Job Network Services.” It is one of the services provided by the DSWD Crisis Intervention Unit (CIU) to its clients.
2. What are its objectives?
Generally, the project aims to empower and enhance the financial capability skills of unemployed individuals, thereby enabling them to become self-reliant, productive, and contributing members of society.
3. Who are the target clients?
The project’s target beneficiaries are CIU clients who seek financial assistance for food consumption, as well as those who are in need of employment.
4. What are its components?
The three main components of the project are: social preparation, capability building, and provision of services.
5. How can I learn more about it?
You can learn more about the project by going to the nearest DSWD Office in your area.
Contact Information: Social Technology Bureau
For questions and concerns about the JNS project, you can get in touch with the Social Technology Bureau (STB) located at the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City (if you are based in the NCR). Its office hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Mondays to Fridays.
Address: Social Technology Bureau, 3rd Floor, Matapat Building, Department of Social Welfare and Development – Central Office, IBP Road, Constitution Hills, Batasan Complex, Quezon City
Telephone: +632 8951 7124 / 8951 2802 / 8931 8144
Email: soctech@dswd.gov.ph
Website: https://stb.dswd.gov.ph/
Google Map:
Infographic About Project
Here is an infographic featuring an overview of the JNS project:
Final Thoughts
Indeed, people in crisis situations need all the help they can get. And for those who are in desperate need of employment, the DSWD-CIU’s Job Network Services (JNS) are certainly a big help!
Speaking of crisis, trafficking is another major problem faced by many Filipinos, both here and abroad. Fortunately, the DSWD has come up with the Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons (RRPTP). Head to this link to read all about it!