Intersectorality in a conditional cash transfer programme: Actors, convergences and conflicts

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Social Policy
• Sociology

Background:

• The Bolsa Família Program (BFP) aims to support vulnerable families in Brazil.
• Effective implementation relies on coordinated efforts across health, education, and social assistance sectors.
• Understanding intersectoral dynamics is crucial for program success and addressing socioeconomic inequalities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze intersectoral arrangements between health, education, and social assistance sectors in the operationalization of the BFP.
• To identify convergences and conflicts in intersectoral collaboration within the BFP context.
• To explore the influence of these arrangements on the program's effectiveness in a peripheral urban region of Southeast Brazil.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative approach utilizing content analysis based on Actor-Network Theory (ANT).
• Interviews conducted with 17 managers from Municipal Secretariats of Health, Education, and Social Assistance.
• Interviews also included professionals from basic education, primary health care, and social assistance.

Main Results:

• Identified one-off, episodic, and discontinuous intersectoral actions with limited integration among sectors.
• Found convergences in shared conceptions about intersectoral collaboration and recognizing the same vulnerable population.
• Observed conflicts stemming from institutional conditions, sectorized work processes, and a lack of clarity on professional duties.

Conclusions:

• Intersectoral collaboration for the BFP is characterized by fragmentation and challenges in integration.
• Shared understanding of the target population offers a basis for convergence, but institutional and professional barriers hinder effective collaboration.
• Addressing these conflicts and improving sector integration is essential to maximize the BFP's impact on reducing inequalities for vulnerable families.