The Ministry of Social Affairs Encourages the Implementation of ATENSI Through Capacity Building for Human Resources

BANYUWANGI (September 17th 2020) - The Director General of Social Rehabilitation of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Harry Hikmat, provided virtual direction in the Program Review and Evaluation activities in support of Social Rehabilitation Assistance (ATENSI) organized by the "Prof. Dr. Soeharso" Surakarta Center.

Harry emphasized the "Prof. Dr. Soeharso" Center Surakarta as the Technical Implementation Unit (UPT) of the Ministry of Social Affairs must prepare itself, because it will become a pilot center for integrated services. "It must be an example for other Social Rehabilitation Centers in implementing integrated services," he said.

Harry appreciates the steps taken by "Prof. Dr. Soeharso" Center Surakarta, because the initiation of this activity will provide a stronger understanding of strategic and technical steps in the implementation of ATENSI which is planned to start in October 2020.

In this regard, Harry also said that it was important for the center to establish cooperation with the Social Welfare Institution (LKS). This is a manifestation of the community-based approach in ATENSI.

In establishing cooperation, of course the Ministry of Social Affairs wants to have a trusted partner. For this reason, the Center needs to encourage LKS to be able to participate in accreditation. In this case, it can work with the Professional Development Center (Pusbangprof) of the Ministry of Social Affairs.

In addition to institutional accreditation, it is also necessary to further certify human resources, both Social Rehabilitation Facilitators and Social Welfare Workers (TKS).

If accreditation or certification has not been implemented, the Social Rehabilitation Center with the Technical Directorate at the center can provide certified technical guidance. "You could say semi-training. All of this is in order to improve the quality of service," said Harry.

Harry reminded that Balai will face a big responsibility because it will expand the reach of beneficiaries (PM) and establish constructive cooperation with various parties. This is the dynamic that will be faced by humanitarian officers at the Center.

In addition, the"Prof. Dr. Soeharso" Center Surakarta will function not only in terms of social rehabilitation, but also rely on habilitation activities. Therefore, ATENSI services must span from early childhood to the elderly, because there are individuals who are born with disabilities.

As many as 30.4 million people with disabilities need to understand the diversity, because "Prof. Dr. Soeharso" Center Surakarta will become an integrated service center for people with disabilities. "This means that not only physical disabilities are served, but various other disabilities such as mental, intellectual, sensory and multiple disabilities.

The "Prof. Dr. Soeharso" Center Surakarta also consolidates with 18 other Social Rehabilitation Centers for Persons with Disabilities in the implementation of habilitation and rehabilitation.

As a form of respect, fulfillment and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities, it also be considered that there needs to be social security and social empowerment for persons with disabilities. So PM also needs to be integrated with other social welfare programs such as the Family Hope Program (PKH), Sembako and other programs.

In essence, Social Rehabilitation is oriented towards social services, not social assistance. This service covers all levels of society, from people with low income levels to people with high income levels.

The preparation of the "Prof. Dr. Soeharso" Center Surakarta as a Center for Social Services (SERASI) must be considered. By building SERASI, the Ministry of Social Affairs will improve accessibility to the basic needs of persons with disabilities, including employment opportunities and health facilities.

Therefore, Harry directed to prepare an MoU with related agencies, in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection, the Ministry of Manpower and others in order to have easy access to the implementation of SERASI.

"SERASI has the support of Bappenas because the Ministry of Social Affairs must be the leading sector in connecting with various other government services," concluded Harry.

The Review and Evaluation Program activity in support of ATENSI was carried out at the Ketapang Indah Hotel Banyuwangi and was attended by 136 participants who were employees of the "Prof. Dr. Soeharso" Surakarta Center.