Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki today chaired a Commission on Poverty meeting in which members approved $1.2578 billion in funding under the Community Care Fund (CCF) to optimise and extend the Elderly Dental Assistance Programme.

At the third meeting of the fifth-term commission, members were briefed by government representatives on the progress of various targeted poverty alleviation projects.

Over the past year, mentees under the first-round Strive & Rise Programme have, upon completion of training sessions, received start-up funding of $5,000 to implement personal development plans under their mentors’ guidance.

The Government will review the effectiveness of the first round and enhance the programme, with a view to launching the second round later this year.

Starting from this month, the Government is also rolling out the School-based After School Care Service Pilot scheme, in phases, to support families in need, particularly single-parent families.

Under this scheme, primary school students in need can stay on campus after school to receive care and learning support, so that their parents can choose to work and improve their livelihoods.

About 50 primary schools are expected to join the CCF-funded programme, benefitting around 3,000 students.