Social Services Plans, Financing, and Private Sector Roles
Contents of Social Services Plans and Programs
In its specific area, the Plan is motivated by specifications and a needs analysis of social demand. It sets coverage targets and establishes indicative time periods for their achievement. It outlines the types and spatial distribution of resources needed to achieve the objectives, and identifies criteria and mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating the plan. Other aspects are considered to achieve precise and appropriate objectives for the needs of Social Services (SSSS).
All plans and programs have a dual, transversal nature: they must include a set of complementary care measures developed from the various levels and specialties of Social Care to achieve consistency and continuity of the processes. When necessary or convenient, they may include measures for other areas of expertise related to the field of SSSS.
Financing of Social Services in Autonomous Regions
General resources for funding are provided by:
- Appropriations for expenses annually allocated for SSSS programs in the General Budget Laws of the Autonomous Communities (CCAA).
- Budget allocations in the budgets of local corporations for SSSS.
- Extraordinary resources provided by devolved administrations and local services for social activities.
- Grants, donations, legacies, bequests, and any other kind of voluntary contribution from individuals and legal entities.
- Contributions from users of shelters and services, as may be established.
The Private Sector in the Laws of the Autonomous Regions
The SSSS Laws of the CCAA define the private sector as all individuals and private entities that carry out SSSS programs and benefits, either directly or through centers and establishments, as well as social voluntary organizations.
The establishment and maintenance of privately-owned centers, and the development of SSSS programs, are always subject to accreditation and compliance with requirements set by the CCAA. Within the private sector, it is necessary to distinguish between non-profit entities (social initiative and voluntary work) and for-profit entities.
Non-Profit Entities
These include:
- Social Entrepreneurship Entities: Foundations, Social Initiative Cooperatives, NGOs, and other non-profit associations. They are considered social service providers when their objectives include SSSS and they are authorized to provide them. Laws of the Autonomous SSSS contemplate these institutions with government contracts for managing SSSS, giving them the status of collaborating institutions within the public SSSS system. They receive financial support from the CCAA and local authorities.
- Social Volunteerism: Activities of general interest developed freely and without any compensation by individuals within an organization and within the framework of their own SSSS programs. They may receive subsidies from local and autonomous administrations. Their legal system is always governed by the laws of each CCAA regarding volunteerism.
All CCAA SSSS Laws explicitly commit the Autonomous Administration to encourage the creation and development of social initiative institutions, ensuring coordinated actions with the public system and promoting social volunteerism as an expression of civil society participation, with complementary roles to the activities taking place, on an unpaid basis, in the field of SSSS.
In both cases, subsidies may be aimed at:
- Creation, modification, adaptation, equipment, and maintenance of facilities and services.
- Promotion of SSSS programs and activities.
- Encouragement of partnerships.
- Promotion of training activities in the field of SSSS and R&D activities related to SSSS.
For-Profit Entities
Laws of the Autonomous SSSS grant private entities for profit the status of providing entities when their objectives include SSSS activities and they are duly authorized to carry them out.
Similarly, the government may contract with them for the management of public SSSS, granting them the status of partners in the public system of SSSS.
Social Care Unit
Dependency
Dependency is understood as a situation in which people, due to a lack or loss of physical, mental, or intellectual capacity, need assistance and/or significant support to perform the activities of their daily lives.