The Early Stimulation Programme (ESP), which operates on a referral basis, has treated over 20,000 children from across the island since its inception in 1975. As contained in the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) 2020 Economic and Social Survey, over the course of 2020, the ESP received 648 referrals, a decrease of 22.8 per cent compared with 2019. Of the...

The first cohort of 23 students who participated in an Events Planning and Management Level 3 Supervisory Course, offered by the HEART/NSTA Trust, have completed their studies. They were presented with skills certificates during their graduation ceremony at the Social Development Commission (SDC) complex in St. Catherine, on July 22. The programme, a partnership between the HEART College of Hospitality...

Executive Director, Social Development Commission (SDC), Dr. Dwayne Vernon (right), presents Stacy Ann Gordon with her diploma in Events Planning and Management, during a graduation ceremony held at the SDC’s St. Catherine Office on July 22.

Preparations are in high gear for this year’s staging of the annual Salt Spring Literacy Summer camp, which is being spearheaded by the St. James Police Community Safety and Security Branch (CSSB). Some 100 children between the ages of six and 17 years are expected to benefit from the camp, which will include virtual classes and field trips. The camp...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, is condemning all forms of violence against the nation’s children. The Prime Minister was speaking in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (July 20), where he addressed the case of Nashawn Brown, a four-year-old who was severely beaten by his stepdad. He subsequently died. Mr. Holness said the incident has again brought to...

More than 400 Justices of the Peace (JPs) across the island participated in a virtual sensitisation discussion on Child Abuse in Jamaica, on July 15. It was hosted by the Minister of Justice,  Hon. Delroy Chuck, to strengthen the capacity of the JPs to provide access to justice information within communities and the wider public. Chief Executive Officer of the...

The problem of children living and working on the streets is one of the issues to be addressed by the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), through a series of targeted interventions. One key intervention will be undertaken through the agency’s overarching ‘Positive Parenting’ campaign, aimed at addressing all the ills the nation’s children are facing, including corporal punishment...