Joint Circular No. 07/1998/TTLT/BLDTBXH-UBBVCSTEVN guiding the implementation of Decision No. 19/1998/QD-TTG dated January 24, 1998 of the Prime Minister on managing and implementing the objectives and tasks of old National Programs.

CIRCULAR

JOINT CIRCULARMINISTRY OF LABOR - INVALIDS AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS

SOCIAL AFFAIRS, NATIONAL CHILDREN'S PROTECTION AND CARE COMMISSION

Guidelines for implementing Decision No. 19/1998/QĐ-TTg dated January 24, 1998 of the Prime Minister on management and implementation of the objectives and tasks of old national programs.

The Ministry of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs, National Children's Protection and Care Commission guide the transfer of the objective of caring for children in difficult circumstances to the Ministry of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs as follows:

I. Content of Transfer:

1. Objective of caring for children in difficult circumstances transferred to the Ministry of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs:

In 1998, 50% of children in difficult circumstances will be cared for, striving to reach 70% by the year 2000 according to the objectives of the National Action Program for Children in Vietnam 1991-2000.

2. Funding for the care of children in difficult circumstances is formed from the following sources:

+ State budget support;

+ Other revenue sources.

When transferring state budget funds according to the objectives and tasks of the old national program, it must be carried out in accordance with the principles and procedures of financial handover, complete records must be established in detail in accordance with administrative principles. At all levels, the National Children's Protection and Care Commissions are responsible for settling accounts for funding from 1997 and earlier. From 1998, the new managing unit shall be responsible for the contents handed over. For expenditures made in the first quarter of 1998, the provincial National Children's Protection and Care Commission shall be responsible for settling accounts with the Department of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs.

These sources of funding shall be managed in accordance with the Law on State Budget and guiding documents issued by the Ministry of Finance.

3. After receiving the transferred tasks, the Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs sector must establish new tracking and management systems and organize the storage of handover files strictly to facilitate inspection by competent authorities. Continue to implement the goals and tasks determined at the time of transfer.

The change in the managing agency of the program for caring for children in difficult circumstances from the National Children's Protection and Care Commission to the Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs sector shall not affect the program's objectives. In 1998, the Ministry of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs will continue to implement the targets, plans, and budgets prepared and approved by the competent authority by the National Children's Protection and Care Commission.

Starting from 1999, each year, the Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs sector will cooperate with the National Children's Protection and Care Commissions at all levels to develop plans for caring for children in difficult circumstances to be submitted to the competent authority for approval and inclusion in the regular budget plan under the management of the ministry, sector, and locality.

The state budget allocation for the program of caring for children in difficult circumstances in 1998 will be transferred to localities according to Decision No. 184/1997/QĐ-BT dated December 31, 1997 of the Minister-Chairman of the National Children's Protection and Care Commission and announcements by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Planning and Investment (attached as an appendix).

1. Specific activities in 1998 for the care of children in difficult circumstances, in addition to the ongoing activities of the Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs sector, will now be supplemented as follows:

II. Specific Guidelines:

a. Activities at the local level using delegated funding include:

+ Work-study classes: implemented in 47 provinces;

+ Community-based rehabilitation follow-up: implemented in 31 provinces;

+ Social worker training: implemented in 60 provinces;

(List attached)

b. Activities of ministries and sectors using program funding announced will sign responsibility contracts with the Ministry of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs (Social Welfare Department).

c. Activities of the Ministry of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs include:

+ Social worker training;

+ Regional experience exchange meetings;

+ Data collection and processing;

+ Research;

+ Monitoring and supervision.

2. Activities of the National Children's Protection and Care Commission in 1998 and at all levels: directing some activities to protect and care for children in difficult circumstances from the budget (special children program) through delegated funding for the following models and contents:

a. Activities at the local level using delegated funding: Directing some pilot models:

+ Shelter;

+ Counseling office;

+ Campaign "Adult Role Models, Well-Behaved Children";

+ Support for lip and palate repair for children;

+ Other activities.

b. Activities of ministries and sectors using funding from the program managed by the National Children's Protection and Care Commission that has been announced will sign responsibility contracts with the National Children's Protection and Care Commission.

c. Activities of the National Children's Protection and Care Commission include:

+ Directing the implementation of the Special Child Protection Action Program;

+ Monitoring, evaluating, and concluding pilot models;

+ Studying the role of families and communities in the strategy for protecting, caring for, and educating children.

3. In addition to delegated funding for localities to achieve set targets, if any locality has additional sources (local budget, domestic or foreign sponsorship...), both parties need to clearly define the objectives, content of the plan, and activity funding...

4. The content and expenditure standards of the program for caring for children in difficult circumstances will continue to be implemented according to Circular No. 69/TTLB dated October 4, 1997 of the Ministry of Finance and the National Children's Protection and Care Commission "Guidelines for the content and expenditure standards of the child care and protection program in 1997" until a new document replaces it.

III. IMPLEMENTATION OF TRANSFER:

4. The content and expenditure standards of the program for children in particularly difficult circumstances shall continue to be implemented in accordance with Circular Jointly Issued by the Ministry of Finance and the National Committee for Children's Protection and Care No. 69/TTLB dated October 4, 1997, "Guidelines on the Content and Expenditure Standards of the Child Care and Protection Program in 1997," until a new document replaces it.

III. IMPLEMENTATION OF TRANSFER:

1. The handover work shall be carried out step-by-step, ensuring continuity and stability in the implementation of the program. Based on this Joint Circular, the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs and the Committee for Child Protection and Care of the province/city shall prepare a handover plan to submit to the Chairman of the People's Committee of the province/city for approval.

2. The Committee for Child Protection and Care of the province/city shall hand over to the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs of the province/city in May 1998, with the presence of the Office of the People's Committee, the Department of Planning and Investment, and the Department of Finance. The Social Welfare Division or the relevant division under the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs shall assist the Director of the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs in receiving the handover, with the participation of the Department's Financial Planning Division.

After completing the handover, the Departments of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs shall report in writing to the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs; the Committees for Child Protection and Care of the province/city shall report in writing to the National Committee for Child Protection and Care.

3. The National Committee for Child Protection and Care shall hand over to the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, with the presence of representatives from the Government Office, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and the Ministry of Finance.

The Social Assistance Department of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs shall assist the leadership of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs in receiving the handover, with the participation of the Department of Planning and Finance.

The Planning and Finance Management Division of the National Committee for Child Protection and Care shall assist the leadership of the National Committee for Child Protection and Care in carrying out the handover work.

4. The minutes of the handover shall include the following contents: objectives, measures, documents, and funds related to the activities at the facility; the minutes must bear the signatures of the parties involved and shall be promptly submitted to the immediate superiors of the parties and relevant sectors.

This Circular takes effect fifteen days from the date of signature.

Any difficulties encountered during the implementation process shall be reported promptly to the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs and the National Committee for Child Protection and Care for coordinated resolution.