NPSC Gets Helping Hand from NCB

The National Parenting Support Commission’s (NPSC) initiatives have been bolstered by a $5 million sponsorship from the National Commercial Bank (NCB), in cash and kind over the next two years.

The sponsorship will also be utilized to assist NPSC with its activities for Parent Month, which is being observed in November, under the theme: ‘Transforming Families Through Communication Awareness Resources’.

A slew of activities have been planned towards parental support and the betterment of families.

“We are proud and pleased to partner on these initiatives.  NCB’s role is advancing the national agenda and the national cause. As financial partners, we have a vested interest as the national bank of Jamaica, because when you have sound citizens you have a better cadre of persons to lend [money] to,” NCB’s Manager for Group Corporate Communications, Belinda Williams, said at a recent JIS ‘Think Tank’.

Mrs. Williams said that NCB understands the complexity of the need to change behaviour. “We understand too that there is globalization; and there are community and societal differences and norms that we have to address as well.  We operate within the communities and we understand the socio concerns of the communities which we serve, so this puts us in a position as responsible agents to be proactive,” she added.

Meanwhile, Executive Director of the NPSC, Dr. Patrece Charles, said that the Commission is grateful for the support from NCB and other stakeholders.

According to Dr. Charles, the NPSC’s main mandate is to streamline and co-ordinate all the parenting organisations in Jamaica.  “We work closely with the Early Childhood Commission (ECC), the Ministry of Labour and Social Security’s PATH programme and family courts, so that we can find a way to make parents more responsible in looking after their children,” she explained.

She noted that strategic activities aimed at behaviour change, have been planned for Parent Month.

“The flagship event of the Month will be a Parenting Village that will be hosted on Saturday, November 9, at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre. The whole concept of the Parenting Village will have elements of this year’s theme ‘Transforming Families Through Communication Awareness Resources’, which we will call the CARE,” Dr. Charles said.

“One of the highlights of the village will be a Parenting Pub, which is actually going to be set up identical to an English Pub. We are going to have round table talks, parents will be discussing current issues that affect parenting skills, and we are also going to give them tips and conduct mini workshops,” she pointed out.

In addition to the Parenting Village, the NPSC will host a series of Forums and Parenting Expos in the various Education Regions, and a National Assembly of Parents islandwide, in all schools.

The month-long observation will culminate with the National Parent Teachers Association of Jamaica Conference and Expo, to be held at Jamaica College on Saturday, November 30.

The Commission oversees the implementation and operation of the National Parenting Policy. The policy defines effective parenting from a Jamaican perspective and sets out the Government’s approach to supporting and strengthening positive parenting practices.