Two Child Friendly Spaces (CFSs) were officially opened at separate locations in the corporate area, as part of efforts to effectively respond to victims of child trafficking. The facilities, funded by the Warnath Group, are located at the National Children’s Registry (NCR) and the Glenhope Child Care Facility. The spaces created are directly for the interviewing and screening of suspected...

Five hundred and nine young Jamaicans have been ‘LIFTed’ into the next step of their personal and professional lives, thanks to the Government’s Learning and Investment for Transformation (LIFT) programme. The cohort is the first set of participants in the programme, which was announced by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, in his Budget presentation earlier this year, and...

The Early Childhood Commission (ECC) is inviting Jamaicans at home and in the diaspora to consider donating to early-childhood institutions (ECIs) for Christmas. ECC Chair, Trisha Williams-Singh, told JIS News that persons can donate to a government institution or “the institution that has made you the person you are today”. Mrs. Williams-Singh said donations in cash or kind can assist...

The Ministry of Education and Youth has introduced a behaviour change support model for students, aimed at ensuring that their basic and mental health, safety, security, and behavioural and nutritional needs are met. Rollout of the Behaviour Change Support Services for Students in primary and secondary schools will begin in the new school term in January 2024. In secondary schools,...

Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency Audrey Marks, is calling for greater diaspora support for non-traditional high schools that are responsible for the education of hundreds of thousands of youths in the building of Jamaica. Addressing the inaugural fundraising dinner of the Anchovy High School Past Students’ Association in Delaware on the weekend, Ambassador Marks pointed to the...

The Early Childhood Commission (ECC) is urging operators of unregistered early-childhood institutions (ECIs) islandwide to take steps to become fully compliant with the organisation. Under the Early Childhood Act and Regulations (2005), all ECIs must be registered with the Commission to receive a permit to operate. ECC Chair, Trisha Williams-Singh, told JIS News that there are currently 92 delinquent ECIs...

Community Based Rehabilitation Jamaica (CBRJ), located in Spanish Town, St. Catherine, has been supporting children with disabilities and their families for more than 40 years. The CBRJ provides a range of services, including developmental and psychological assessments, therapeutic intervention and referral services, which can lead to the cognitive and social development of children and adolescents with disabilities. Project Manager, Sandrea...