Social Registry will help identify needs and coordinate services

GREAT BAY--The Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), through the Department of Community Development, Family and Humanitarian Affairs (CDFHA) and the Department of Social Development, is preparing to launch a national Social Registry as part of St. Maarten’s evolving social protection strategy.

The registry is being developed in collaboration with the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB) and is positioned to become a critical tool for identifying household needs, directing public assistance, and informing long-term social policy.

In a recent edition of the government’s Inside Government program, host Cedric Peterson spoke with Sophia Badejo-Auguiste, Policy Officer and Household Coordinator for non-complex household cases, and Malayka Marlin, Senior Officer and Household Manager for complex cases. The two civil servants provided in-depth information on the function, scope, and status of the registry.

According to the officials, the Social Registry is designed to store household-level data that can be used to determine vulnerability and connect individuals to relevant services. Each household will be assigned a score based on socioeconomic indicators, which helps determine the level of support needed and whether a case is classified as complex or non-complex.

Non-complex cases generally involve relatively straightforward needs such as assistance with financial aid or referrals to single-agency services. Complex cases, by contrast, typically involve multiple, interconnected issues, such as mental health, unemployment, or housing instability, and require coordinated support from several service providers. In those cases, custom care plans will be developed and managed collaboratively.

While the system is not yet fully operational, development has progressed significantly. The Ministry is currently finalizing a Service Catalog, which will be embedded into the registry. The catalog includes a range of government and NGO services, the types of support they offer, eligibility criteria, and referral procedures. The catalog is considered a final component before the registry is officially launched.

Parallel to this, fieldwork for data collection is actively underway. The team has already registered 930 households, with the initial focus on the Cul-de-Sac area. The data collection is conducted through door-to-door visits by trained enumerators using a standardized survey called the Socioeconomic Needs Assessment Tool (SENAT). The questionnaire covers topics such as income, employment, household expenses, living conditions, and service access.

Household participation in the registry is voluntary and confidential. All data collectors are required to sign contracts with strict confidentiality clauses. Households are informed of their rights and the use of their data prior to participating, and informed consent is obtained before any data is recorded. According to Badejo-Auguiste, data protection protocols are in place to ensure that only authorized personnel have role-based access to household information. Moreover, data collected will only be used for its intended purpose: improving social support mechanisms and government response.

Following data submission, a validation process is carried out to identify any inconsistencies, duplication, or missing data. While households are not initially required to provide documentation during the assessment phase, those selected for further follow-up will be asked to submit relevant documents to confirm eligibility and support needs.

In addition to the in-person outreach, the ministry is working to enable self-registration options via an upcoming online portal and through designated government offices such as community help desks and the Government Administration Building. Officials encouraged residents who wish to register or request more information to contact social.registry@sintmaartengov.org, while noting that responses will follow once the system becomes operational.

During the interview, both officials emphasized that registration is open to all households, there is no pre-selection process or eligibility screening for initial registration. The aim is to build a comprehensive, inclusive database to inform equitable access to public services and improve coordination between agencies.

Once launched, the Social Registry is also expected to support more informed planning and disaster response. Aggregated data, rather than personal identifiers, may be used by government entities to understand population needs and distribute resources efficiently during emergencies. For example, the registry can help identify the number of vulnerable households in a specific geographic area, which is critical when planning evacuations or allocating emergency aid.

As part of its broader outreach efforts, the ministry has already issued press releases, held meetings with key stakeholders, and plans to continue expanding public awareness through media engagement and community-based outreach. Officials hope this transparency will help build trust and encourage participation.

The Social Registry, once live, is expected to complement St. Maarten’s efforts to create a more coordinated, evidence-based system for social development and disaster preparedness. It is one of several initiatives being developed under the Ministry of VSA to improve the delivery of public services and support to households facing a wide range of vulnerabilities.

More updates on the registry’s launch, including registration locations and online access, will be shared via the Government of St. Maarten’s official platforms.

‍