Secretaria Municipal de Assistência Social do Rio de Janeiro

What Secretaria Municipal de Assistência Social do Rio de Janeiro does

The Secretaria Municipal de Assistência Social do Rio de Janeiro (SMAS) is the municipal government body — part of the Prefeitura da Cidade do Rio de Janeiro — responsible for planning, executing, and overseeing the National Social Assistance Policy (PNAS) and the SUAS (Sistema Único de Assistência Social) at the local level. It serves vulnerable populations including families in poverty, homeless individuals, children and adolescents at risk, the elderly in abandonment, and substance-affected persons through a two-tiered service network: CRAS units (basic social protection, 50+ locations across neighborhoods) and CREAS units (specialized medium-complexity protection, 14 units), supplemented by institutional reception shelters (Acolhimento Institucional), Conselhos Tutelares (19 guardian councils), and the CadMóvel mobile registration unit.

Its core products include standardized SUAS services (PAIF, SCFV, PAEFI), targeted municipal programs (Família Acolhedora foster care, Lares Cariocas housing for street populations, DocumentaRio civil documentation campaign), and the Cartão da Primeira Infância Carioca — an R$200/month food allowance benefit that has reached 38,745 families across three delivery stages. The technology stack comprises CADRio (digital scheduling for Cadastro Único, built with SMIT), the Portal 1746 multi-channel service central (phone, app, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger), Carioca Digital citizen portal, SEI.Rio electronic document management, and SIAFIC for financial administration. Digital infrastructure is augmented by the Mapa Digital SMAS (ArcGIS-based georeferenced map) and the Diagnóstico Socioterritorial Participativo portal.

SMAS operates as a non-commercial government entity. It is funded through the municipal public budget coordinated with federal SUAS allocations and provides all services free of charge to citizens meeting eligibility criteria. Its distribution channels include physical CRAS/CREAS service centers, the mobile CadMóvel van operating weekly across underserved communities, the 1746 central, social media (@smas.rio), and partnerships with entities like UNICEF, Firjan SENAI, MultiRio, and the federal Ministry of Social Security. The organization reports to the Prefeitura and is governed by an elaborate council structure ensuring civil society oversight.

Name

Secretaria Municipal de Assistência Social do Rio de Janeiro

Legal name

Secretaria Municipal de Assistência Social do Rio de Janeiro

Website

https://assistenciasocial.prefeitura.rio

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The municipal social assistance secretariat of Rio de Janeiro, operating CRAS and CREAS service units across the city to deliver Brazil's SUAS-based social protection programs to vulnerable families, homeless individuals, children, and the elderly.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Social Assistance Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Public Administration (92), Other Community Housing Services (624229)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Public Health & Human Services Administration (BPAIACAK)

Keywords

• Social assistance services
• Public welfare programs
• Family protection services
• Community social services
• Homeless shelter services

Headquarters

HQ city

Rio de Janeiro

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Budget Allocation: The Secretary operates as a government body funded through municipal public budget allocations. Services are provided free of charge to citizens. Revenue comes from municipal treasury allocations coordinated with federal SUAS (Sistema Único de Assistência Social) funding.
2. Social Benefit Distribution: Distribution of social benefits including Cartão da Primeira Infância Carioca (R$200 monthly food allowance for families with children 0-4 years), Bolsa Família referrals through CadÚnico, and other federal benefit programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SMAS is the municipal government body of Rio de Janeiro responsible for managing and executing the National Social Assistance Policy (PNAS) within the SUAS system. It delivers a multi-tiered portfolio of free public social assistance services through CRAS basic protection units, CREAS specialized protection units, 24/7 institutional shelters for street populations, family and child protection programs (PAIF, SCFV, PAEFI, Família Acolhedora), housing reintegration (Lares Cariocas), the Cartão da Primeira Infância Carioca benefit, mobile registration (CadMóvel Carioca), digital appointment scheduling (CADRio), and guardianship councils (Conselhos Tutelares). All services are provided free of charge to eligible citizens.

Product overview

The Secretaria Municipal de Assistência Social (SMAS) is a municipal government body responsible for managing, planning, promoting, monitoring, executing, and coordinating the National Social Assistance Policy (PNAS) within Rio de Janeiro. It operates a multi-tiered service architecture centered on CRAS (basic social protection entry points across ~50 named units) and CREAS (specialized medium-complexity services across 17 named units). The secretariat provides a comprehensive portfolio of programs spanning: (1) protection services — CRAS for basic assistance and CREAS for specialized intervention; (2) institutional reception — 24/7 Central de Recepção and URS units serving street populations, organized by population type (children, elderly, adults, LGBTQIA+, families); (3) family support programs — PAIF, SCFV, PAEFI, and Família Acolhedora foster program; (4) housing programs — Lares Cariocas and acolhimento institucional; (5) digital citizen services — CADRio scheduling system, CadMóvel itinerant registration, and Portal 1746; (6) benefits — Cartão da Primeira Infância Carioca (R$200/month food card); (7) guardianship — 19 Conselhos Tutelares; and (8) councils and committees — CMAS, CMDCA, CONSEA-RIO, CAISAN-RIO, COMDOC, and COMAD. Services are coordinated across 10 territorial CAS regions with cross-cutting support from SUBG (management) and specialized programs such as Projeto Passo a Passo for socioeducational measures.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CRAS - Centro de Referência de Assistência Social Public entry point for basic social protection services in Rio de Janeiro, integrated with SUAS. Provides support to families in social vulnerability, strengthens community bonds, and guarantees access to social assistance rights through territorial coverage across city neighborhoods.
• CREAS - Centro de Referência Especializado de Assistência Social Specialized public unit offering medium-complexity social protection services for families and individuals facing personal risk or rights violations including physical, psychological, and sexual violence, neglect, child labor, and street situations. Operates across 10 CAS regions with 17 named CREAS units.
• Acolhimento Institucional (Centrais de Recepção e URS) Emergency shelter and institutional reception units operating 24/7 for people in street situations. Includes Central de Recepção (reception centers), Unidades de Reinserção Social (URS), shelters, Centro Pop, and República para Jovens. Divided by population: children/adolescents, adults, elderly, LGBTQIA+, and families.
• PAIF - Serviço de Proteção e Atendimento Integral à Família Primary family support service developed at all CRAS units, supporting families in vulnerability by strengthening bonds, promoting rights access, and improving quality of life through individual social services, home visits, guidance, referrals, community actions, and educational campaigns.
• SCFV - Serviço de Convivência e Fortalecimento de Vínculos Basic social protection service within SUAS, offered complementarily to PAIF and PAEFI. Conducted in groups with artistic, cultural, sports, and leisure activities organized by age group, promoting family and community bonds with a preventive character.
• PAEFI - Serviço de Proteção e Atendimento Especializado a Famílias e Indivíduos Specialized social protection service offered at CREAS for families and individuals facing personal risk and rights violations. Provides psychosocial support, guidance, and systematic monitoring to overcome situations of vulnerability while strengthening family and community bonds.
• Família Acolhedora Foster family program that places children and adolescents in need with host families, providing financial support (Bolsa Auxílio) to caretakers. Governed by updated Decree 56.851/2025.
• Lares Cariocas Housing program for people in street situations, prioritizing pregnant women and mothers with children up to 2 years old. Integrates dignified housing with access to public policies promoting autonomy and quality of life. Has benefited 20 families since implementation.
• CADRio - Centrais de Agendamento Digital appointment scheduling system for Cadastro Único (CadÚnico), developed in partnership with SMIT. Offers organized citizen appointments with location, date, and time selection. Available at 10 central locations across Rio de Janeiro's regions. Accessed via cadunico.rio website or Central 1746.
• CadMóvel Carioca Itinerant mobile service bringing Cadastro Único enrollment and updates directly to communities. Operates every Thursday at varying locations focused on high-demand areas. Includes partnerships with the Ministry of Social Security for expanded services such as Bolsa Família, Carteira do Idoso, and Minha Casa Minha Vida access.
• Conselhos Tutelares Permanent, autonomous guardian councils responsible for enforcing children's and adolescents' rights per ECA (Lei Federal 8.069/1990). Operates 19 guardian councils across Rio de Janeiro, organized by 10 CAS regions, applying protective measures and accountability measures when ECA rights are threatened or violated.
• Cartão da Primeira Infância Carioca Monthly food card benefit of R$200 for families with children 0-4 years in social vulnerability. Part of Programa Pequenos Cariocas. Accepted at over 1,500 establishments in Rio de Janeiro. Reloaded on the 12th of each month. Three delivery stages completed as of June 2026.
• Portal 1746 Central service channel for requests, complaints, and information. Accessible via phone (1746 or 21-3460-1746), web portal (www.1746.rio), mobile app, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and in-person at GEL offices. Handles social assistance service requests including specialized social approach services.
• Carioca Digital Municipal citizen services portal providing access to social programs, benefits, and documentation services. Used for CadÚnico queries and other public services. Accessible at carioca.rio.
• Medida Socioeducativa de Prestação de Serviços à Comunidade Socio-educational measure of community service for adolescents in open environment, implemented through the Projeto Passo a Passo with 31 tutors across 14 CREAS units.
• DocumentaRio - Campanha Permanente de Documentação Civil Permanent civil documentation campaign launched by SMAS and partner entities. Promotes free issuance of birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, and identity cards for eligible citizens under Law 15.254/2025, Ato nº 27/2013, and Art. 13 of the Rio de Janeiro State Constitution.

Quantifiable outcome

• 38,745 Cartão Primeira Infância benefits distributed to families
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MultiRiocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 July 2026MultiRio is a public company of the Rio de Janeiro City Hall that unites technology, communication, and innovation in educational initiatives. SMAS partners with MultiRio through the 'Pontes para o Futuro' project, bringing adolescents in social care to educational and cultural experiences. MultiRio provides access to its digital platforms including MultiRio Futebol Clube, studios, and educational content for the youth served by SMAS.
• Firjan SENAIcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Partnership between SMAS and Firjan SENAI offers free professional qualification courses to vulnerable populations served by the Secretary. The initiative provides 314 vacancies in professional courses with free educational materials and nationally valid certificates. This partnership supports labor market integration for youth and adults in social vulnerability.
• UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026SMAS participates in UNICEF's certification program for 'Unidade Amiga da Primeira Infância' (Child-Friendly Unit). Professionals from 33 CRAS units are enrolled in the training cycle to obtain UAPI certification, ensuring early childhood development support meets international standards. The pilot project began five years ago in Acari.
• CAISAN-Rio Member OrganizationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAISAN-Rio (Câmara Intersecretarial de Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional) is chaired by SMAS and composed of multiple municipal secretariats: Casa Civil, SMS (Health), SME (Education), SMTE (Labor), SES-RIO (Solidarity Economy), SEOP (Public Order), SMAC (Environment), and COMLURB (Urban Cleaning). This intersectoral body coordinates food security policy implementation.
• CONSEA-Rio Civil Society OrganizationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCONSEA-Rio (Conselho de Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional) is composed of 8 municipal government representatives and 16 civil society entities that hold the council presidency. The council exercises deliberative autonomy in food security policy oversight, with civil society composing 2/3 of membership as per federal law requirements.
• SEGOVI (Secretaria Municipal de Governo e Integridade Pública)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint coordination of COMDOC (Comitê Municipal de Políticas para Promoção do Acesso à Documentação Civil), which aims to promote civil registration and basic documentation for Rio de Janeiro residents. SEGOVI co-chairs this committee with SMAS to ensure documentation access across the municipality.
• Ministry of Social Security (Ministério da Previdência Social)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCadMóvel Carioca operates in partnership with the federal Ministry of Social Security to expand access to social program registration in underserved communities, enabling citizens to access benefits such as Bolsa Família, Carteira do Idoso, and Minha Casa Minha Vida.
• SISAN (Sistema Nacional de Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe National Food and Nutritional Security System at federal level provides guidelines and resources for municipal food security programs. CONSEA-Rio and CAISAN-Rio operate as municipal bodies within this national system framework established by Federal Law 11.346/2006.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Secretaria Municipal de Assistência e Desenvolvimento Social de São Paulo (SMADS): São Paulo's municipal social assistance secretariat operates the same SUAS-based CRAS/CREAS network structure and offers the closest functional and scale comparison to SMAS Rio as Brazil's largest municipal social assistance operator.
• Secretaria Municipal de Assistência Social, Segurança Alimentar e Cidadania de Belo Horizonte (SMASAC): Belo Horizonte's municipal social assistance secretariat runs an analogous CRAS/CREAS architecture with food security programs (including the Restaurante Popular model) — directly comparable in scope and target population to SMAS Rio.

Emerging players

• Pastoral da Criança: Catholic-affiliated NGO delivering community-based child nutrition, health monitoring and family support in low-income communities — overlapping with SMAS's Cartão da Primeira Infância and PAIF target populations.
• Aldeias Infantis SOS Brasil: NGO focused on family strengthening and substitute family care for children and adolescents — operating programs parallel to SMAS's Família Acolhedora and SCFV services for at-risk youth.
• Cáritas Brasileira: National NGO network operating social assistance, food security, and migration support programs with overlapping populations; comparable as a civil-society alternative/adjacent provider operating alongside SUAS-funded services.

Others

• UNICEF Brasil: Active partner of SMAS on the UAPI early-childhood certification across 33 CRAS units; a comparable organization in terms of mission focus (child protection, family welfare) and as a likely scaling channel for SMAS's flagship programs.
• Firjan SESI / SENAI: Industry federation partner delivering the 314-vacancy professional qualification program to SMAS users; comparable as a private-sector delivery channel for workforce reintegration services tied to social assistance beneficiaries.

Broad incumbents

• Ministério do Desenvolvimento e Assistência Social, Família e Combate à Fome (MDS): MDS is the federal ministry that funds and regulates SUAS, CadÚnico, and Bolsa Família — the federal counterpart whose policy and funding decisions shape SMAS Rio's operational mandate and budget allocations.

Regional players

• Secretaria de Estado de Desenvolvimento Social e Direitos Humanos do Rio de Janeiro (SEDSODH): The state-level social development secretariat operates overlapping programs (state-level benefits, state CRAS-equivalents) within the same Rio de Janeiro geography but at the state rather than municipal tier — making it a direct jurisdictional counterparty.
• New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA/Department of Social Services): Municipal social services agency of New York City operating comparable programs (cash assistance, shelter, food benefits, child protection) at a different geographic jurisdiction — useful as a structural benchmark for the architecture of large-city municipal social assistance delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Prefeitura_Rio
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCBf3rlo_iHd4kRePPhFXDUQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/PrefeituradoRio
• Instagraminstagram.com/prefeitura_rio
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/secretaria-municipal-de-assist%C3%AAncia-social-do-rio-de-janeiro

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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