QuestionsQuestions (DSWD DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 01, S. 1996)
The order cites Republic Act No. 4373, Executive Order No. 123, and Executive Order No. 292 (Administrative Code of 1987, Title XVI, Section 3 on DSWD powers and functions).
A social work agency is a person, corporation, or organization engaged in social development and welfare. It obtains finances from government and/or community sources by direct/indirect solicitations and/or drives and/or private endowment.
A G.O. gets its finances from the government. An NGO/People’s Organization is supported by funds from the community or private endowment.
It is the satisfactory compliance of a non-government agency with RA 4373 requirements to operate as a social work agency, resulting in a certificate/license issued by DSWD (with licensing guidelines under DSWD Department Order 07, s. 1995).
The applicant must (1) be mainly/general engaged in social work activity; (2) employ a sufficient number of duly qualified and registered social workers; (3) show a certified financial statement that at least 60% of funds are disbursed for direct social work practice; and (4) keep records of cases and welfare activities handled.
It is the assessment and certification by DSWD that a specific social development and welfare service is implemented in accordance with accepted social work standards.
It covers (1) social development and welfare services of licensed non-government agencies, and (2) social development and welfare services of government centers, institutions, branches, or units, including DSWD facilities.
A licensed non-government agency has three (3) years from the license issuance to meet minimum accreditation standards. Failure results in suspension of the license, followed by a one-year grace period to work for accreditation.
DSWD will revoke/cancel the NGO’s license to operate as a social work agency.
Examples include eligibility to purchase/subcontract projects from DSWD; technical assistance; subsidy for program implementation (subject to fund availability/specifications); training assistance; linkage to networks; and endorsements for ODA/international assistance or duty-free importation.
After license issuance, DSWD notifies the NGO in writing that accreditation is the next requirement. The notification includes the first step: written application for accreditation to the concerned bureau, the three-year period, and implications of non-accreditation.
The NGO must confirm readiness to be accredited in writing to the concerned bureau within one year from the issuance of its license.
The concerned bureau will reach out to the NGO (including written reiteration of implications of non-accreditation) and inform it of available technical assistance so it can meet standards within the three-year accreditation period.
Government centers/institutions/branches/units do not apply in writing. Instead, the bureau/s write the facility within their program/service concern to schedule accreditation visit(s).
It includes interviews with supervisors, implementers, beneficiaries, and collateral informants; review of program and administrative records; program implementation site visits; and actual observation of child/youth facilities.
Administration: 40 total/30 minimum points. Service Delivery: 60 total/50 minimum points. Total: 100 total points/80 minimum points.
Recommendations may include (1) accreditation (certificate for the service if minimum standards are met), (2) technical assistance with an upgrade period and possible validation, (3) suspension of license for failure to meet standards within three years, and (4) closure/revocation of license if standards are not met even after grace period.
Technical assistance is negotiated when the agency needs improvement in service delivery based on assessment results. After technical assistance, the agency has six months to upgrade its standards.
Bureaus and Field Offices monitor and provide technical assistance based on a negotiated schedule; the recommended frequency is once a quarter.