Importance of Foster Care Being Highlighted

The Child Development Agency (CDA) is observing its annual National Foster Care Recognition Week from February 12 to 18, under the theme: ‘Your Home Makes a Difference’.

The observance is aimed at heightening awareness, recruiting potential foster parents and highlighting the positive contributions that existing foster parents make in the lives of children entrusted in their care.

The week’s activities commenced with church services across the four regions of the CDA on February 12, to be followed by appreciation functions, refreshers training seminars, community promotional walkthroughs, foster care information booths, luncheons and panel discussions.

This is the eleventh observance of the week, and according to Manager of Public Relations and Communications, Rochelle Dixon, this provides an opportunity for the CDA to highlight the important contribution that foster parents make to national development.

She explained that foster care is an essential component of the CDA’s Living in Family Environment (LIFE) Programme, a process by which persons open their homes to children on a temporary basis, providing them with a stable and nurturing environment, which contributes to their holistic development.

Over 4,000 children are presently in State care and of this amount approximately 800 are living with foster families. Miss Dixon said that the observance is also in keeping with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information’s thrust to fast-track changes to implement bold and comprehensive initiatives to transform the child protection sector and improve the lives of all children.

As part of the observance, the agency has partnered with PetroCaribe Development Fund, Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) and Hope Zoo to provide therapeutic sessions to children in State care.

This will take place throughout the week and beyond.

For further information on upcoming events for Foster Care Week, persons may contact the CDA at 948-2841-2 or visit their website at www.cda.gov.jm.