Back in 2019, Singapore Children’s Society was a recipient of the 4th ASEAN Rural Development and Poverty Eradication Leadership Awards. The awards were presented to non-governmental and private sector organisations from each ASEAN Member State for their outstanding contributions to rural or community development, and poverty eradication in their respective countries.
As part of this milestone, Children’s Society received an invitation to participate in the 12th ASEAN Public Private People Partnership Forum on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication. Held at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre on 20 November 2023, the forum provided a platform for dialogue and collaboration amongst ASEAN countries, aiming to address key social and economic challenges through innovative partnerships.
At the forum, Mr. Fang Xinwei, Head of Yishun Family Service @ Children’s Society, made a presentation on the Society’s digitalisation journey in financial assistance disbursement. The move towards digital transformation was a key effort taken by the organisation to streamline operations and enhance the efficiency of its services.
The digital transformation involved an overhaul of traditional processes and the integration of new technological solutions. The primary goal was to reduce the time needed to process financial assistance and provide quicker support to those in need. The result: a significant reduction in processing time from one week to three working days. This improvement was greatly beneficial for beneficiaries as it offered them timely support and reduces their financial stress.
At the same time, this digital approach increased staff productivity and efficiency, and the Financial Assistance Unit was able to process applications with greater speed and accuracy. The change ensured that staff had more time to focus on the direct needs of beneficiaries. With digitalised records and processes, there is an audit trail on how funds are disbursed, allowing for greater accountability.
Data collected from the digital platform had also been instrumental in informing decision-making. By identifying trends and understanding the impact of assistance provided thus far, strategies can be adjusted accordingly, allowing the Society to tailor services to meet the specific needs of beneficiaries more effectively.
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