The National Parenting Support Commission (NPSC) has established a single helpline, (876) 560-9272, to replace the 36 helplines that were launched in April 2020 to support parents struggling with the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Chief Executive Officer (CEO), NPSC, Kaysia Kerr, told JIS News that the helpline will serve all parishes. “We now have one main helpline number...

Jamaica's youth will lead their regional counterparts in robust discussion on disaster risk reduction at an inaugural youth forum on October 26. The forum is a preparatory event for the VII Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in the Americas and the Caribbean from November 1 to 4 and was introduced by the Government of Jamaica as the host of...

The new 24-hour child abuse reporting hotline 2-1-1 was launched virtually on Wednesday (September 22) and is toll-free from any service provider. The new hotline which was organised through a collaborative effort between the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, will replace the 888-PROTECT hotline. “We appreciate the work that 888-PROTECT...

Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Robert Morgan, Says the Government is working on several policies and programmes to reduce the chances of youth becoming involved in crime and violence. According to Minister Morgan, amending the Child Care and Protection Act, which speaks to enumerating the rights of children, is one of the policies...

The Dispute Resolution Foundation (DRF) is advocating for children to be introduced to alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods in order to build their emotional intelligence at an early age. Emotional Intelligence or emotional quotient (EQ) is the ability to understand, use, and manage one’s emotions in positive ways to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathise with others, overcome challenges and defuse...

Reporting child abuse and neglect is now easier and simpler through the introduction of the 211 hotline. The three-digit hotline, which has been operational since June 2021, provides an easy avenue for children to self-report when they are being victimised. It is also for use by persons who wish to make a report of child abuse or neglect. State Minister...

Nominations are now being accepted for the Prime Minister’s Youth Awards for Excellence (PMYAE). Since the inception of the PMYAE in 1998, these prestigious awards have been bestowed on young Jamaican nationals between 15 and 29 years old who are living here and in the diaspora. Nominees must excel in the selected category, contribute to Jamaica’s development, have attained national...