Foster Care--Looking After the Nation's Children

Contact: Ayodele Hippolyte

Thursday, May 10, 2001 –

As International Day of the Family on May 15 approaches, it is important to remember that there are many children in St. Lucia who need just that—a family. The Division of Human Services and Family Affairs in the Ministry of Health is working hard to ensure that children at risk from abuse and other harmful situations get the opportunity to live in a harmonious and safe environment.

The Division is seeking to expand its Foster Care Programme which was formally established in 1997 to provide children with a temporary home environment, while their parents are receiving the necessary assistance that will enable them to resume caring for them. Beginning Thursday May 17, the Division will be undertaking a Foster Care Recruitment Drive which will hopefully attract a minimum of thirty carers islandwide (20 persons from the north and 10 persons from the south).

The success of this programme depends to a large extent upon the increased availability of quality foster carers who will open their hearts and homes to help these children who are at risk form abuse, neglect or live under difficult circumstances. Through a special training programme, the Division will provide prospective foster care parents with the skills and knowledge that are needed to care for these children properly. For more details of the programme, the public is asked to call the Division at 452-4545/452-7204 or 451-1777. 

The out of office recruitment drive is scheduled for May 17-26, 2001. The dates and venues are as follows:

May 17   (9:00 a.m—1:30p.m)    Julian’s Supermarket, Castries Car Park

May 18   (10:00 a.m—2:00 p.m) J. Q Charles Mall, Rodney Bay

    (9:00 a.m—3:00 p.m)   William Peter Boulevard

    (3:00 p.m—6:00 p.m)   Julian’s Supermarket, Gablewoods

May 19  (9:00 a.m—12:00 p.m)  William Peter Boulevard

               (10:00 a.m—6:00 p.m)  J. Q Charles Mall, Rodney Bay

               (10:00 a.m—6:00 p.m)  Julian’s Supermarket, Rodney Bay

May 25  (9:30 a.m—3:00 p.m)   Soufriere Town Square

May 26  (9:00 a.m—3:00 p.m)   Julian’s Mall, Vieux Fort and J.Q Charles Mall, Vieux Fort

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