CDA to Observe Foster Care Recognition Week

The Ministry of Youth and Culture, through the Child Development Agency will be observing National Foster Care Recognition Week from February 8 to 14, 2015, under the theme ‘Foster a Child… Change a Life.’ 

The week will commence with a regional church service to be held at the St. Ann’s Bay New Testament Church of God on Sunday February 8^th beginning at 10:00 am. The activities will also include, among other things, foster parents training sessions, excursions and foster parents appreciation ceremonies throughout the island.

The Minister of Youth and Culture, the Honourable Lisa Hanna noted that Foster Care Recognition Week is an annual event which recognizes the hard work and selfless commitment foster parents make to some of our most vulnerable children.

“This is really an opportunity for us to highlight the important contribution that foster parents make to national development. The observance is also in keeping with the Ministry’s thrust to accelerate moves to implement bold and far-reaching initiatives to transform the child protection sector and improve the lives of Jamaica’s children. As is customary, we will have an entire week of activities across the island to mark Foster Care Week.” the Minister said.

She went further to highlight that the thrust is to have more children placed with families as they do better in family environments. As a part of encouraging more Jamaicans to foster, the Ministry through the CDA is revamping policies to assist people with back to school grants, discounts at wholesales and assistance with major medical services for the children.

The Minister also noted that CDA offices will be hosting activities in each region in a bid to ensure that foster parents in all parishes feel appreciated and included in the commemoration.

Chief Executive Officer of the Child Development Agency, Rosalee Gage-Grey noted that this will be the ninth staging of this very significant event.

“Foster Care Week is an important activity on the CDA’s annual calendar of events. This year it is especially significant as it comes in the midst of our 10^th anniversary celebrations. We will use this as an opportunity to build the capacity of our officers to better serve their clients and also to recognise and honour foster parents for their sterling contribution to the children.” she explained.

There are currently 900 children living in close to 700 foster care families in Jamaica.