STEPPING UP!
Efforts being made to improve residential, state care of children
THE CHRISTMAS Season and New Year celebrations come hand in hand with recognition of milestones and anticipated plans for the future. The same rings true for the youth and children portfolio of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information (MOEYI).
While the efforts to establish a safe, nurturing and secure environment for our youth and children is seemingly increasingly difficult, there are noteworthy silver linings to be acknowledged and celebrated.
In the area of child protection and family services, efforts are being made through the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) to improve residential and state care of our children through advocacy, training and improved governance arrangements. The most notable improvements for 2018, however, have been the 100 per cent increase in the foster care stipend and the opening of our first Transitional Living Home.
The investment in foster care is one that is critical, as the Government works to not only improve the residential care sector, but also increase the number of foster parents and families across Jamaica. It is in the interest of all Jamaicans that all ‘our children’ are raised in happy and healthy familial settings. It is good not only for the children’s immediate well-being, but also for longterm success as thriving working adults of our economy. The CPFSA is actively working to secure more long- and shortterm foster families.
Through the assistance of our
international partners USAID, the long talked-about transitional living facility is finally a reality for 40 young females. The facility is a safe space for these girls, who would have normally aged out of state care with nowhere else to go; assisting them with the relevant training and preparation needed to secure further education and jobs. As 2019 rolls around, eyes are on the goal to establish two additional transitional living homes, as well as a new therapeutic centre for children.
The MOEYI, through the Children’s Affairs Division and the CPFSA, is actively working to improve the safety and security standards at all our children’s homes. The Government Electrical Inspectorate has conducted electrical assessments at all child care facilities and the safety reviews are being completed. While these efforts will never truly rectify the damage of lives and property at Walker’s Place of Safety, The Wortley Home and the Armadale Juvenile Correctional Centre, efforts are being made to ensure proper systems and procedures are in place to reduce the likelihood of unfortunate occurrences.
The staging of the new and improved Youth Parliament of Jamaica was completed. Facilitated and led by the members of the National Youth Advisory Council, the yearlong engagement saw to it that young parliamentarians conducted research and, developed and implemented projects before the sitting, which took place on November 12. This allowed for increased participation and fulsome parliamentarian submissions supported by experience.