This article seeks to examine an emerging model of social policy governance during the COVID-19 crisis. Our observation indicates although positive welfare model reform that leads to protective-developmental orientation is underway, there remains important issues that need to be addressed. We recommend developing a community-based support system that is able to capture the community s needs based on their real-time conditions, especially for vulnerable groups which have often been neglected. This system would provide better direction for governments, NGOs, and donors to more effectively allocate resources to communities, and be applicable should a similar crisis arise in the future. © 2020 Department of Social Work, National University of Singapore, Singapore.