A programme to get problem families off welfare and back into managing their own lives is paying off, according to Social Rehabilitation Minister Dale Butler.

The scheme, set up in May 2006, has already helped 12 families but eventually Government hopes to get more than 50 families involved.

?Two clients who were previously unemployed have now secured gainful employment, and one has improved her employment,? said Mr. Butler.

?Three clients are currently pursuing their GED, four children who were previously in foster care have been reunited with their parents.?

Mr. Butler said the progress these clients have made had led to reduced Financial Assistance payments, but more importantly the clients have gained a measure of independence in their lives.

Mr. Butler said: ?The Ministry of Social Rehabilitation aimed at assisting the vulnerable to become more productive citizens and discharge their responsibilities toward society while sharing in the benefits of living in Bermuda.?

So the Cross Ministry Initiative Team (CMIT) was set up to help vulnerable families learn to manage their lives rather than ?exhaust the resources from these helping agencies without effecting positive change in their behaviour or circumstances?.

It works on families who are clients of Child and Family Services, Financial Assistance, Court Services or the Bermuda Housing Corporation.

Once a client has been accepted into the programme, all identified needs and challenges are addressed with the ultimate aim being to reduce dependence on the state, and, ideally to bring them to full independence.

Mr. Butler said: ?Our officers work with the clients in their own environments to help them improve their educational status, employability and skills levels, time management skills, decision making skills, housing stability and money management skills.

?CMIT is clearly a win-win situation for all.

?But, while we celebrate these early successes, it is important to remember that these are early days.?

However he warned: ?The human services field is fraught with challenges and there will be periods of regression due to the simple fact that entrenched habits and human behaviour are not easily changed.?