With a number of activities currently underway in celebration of National Foster Care Recognition Week, being celebrated from February 11 to 17; the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) continues to encourage persons to Inspire Hope and Foster a Child.
Public Relations and Communications Manager at the CPFSA, Rochelle Dixon informed that the Agency has been recognising the week since 2006, aimed at highlighting the important contribution that foster parents make to national development; and to encourage persons to become more involved in the Programme.
“Foster Care is an essential component of the CDA’s Living in Family Environment (LIFE) Programme, a process by which persons open their homes to children on a temporary basis, providing them with a stable and nurturing environment, for them to thrive holistically.
‘This year marks our 12th anniversary and the Programme has been growing from strength to strength. We have over 4000 children in State care who would love the opportunity to be a part of a loving family, hence the rationale behind the observance,” CDA’s Communications Manager said.
Giving details of the observance, she said the week’s activities which has been on-going in all four regions, commenced with church services on Sunday, February 11 at Maverley Gospel Hall in Kingston; Spanish Town New Testament Church of God in St. Catherine; Lysson Church of God of Prophecy in St. Thomas; Wesleyan Holiness Church in Westmoreland; Lucea New Testament Church of God in Hanover and Ocho Rios United Pentecostal Church in St. Ann.
The observance will conclude with a National Church Service at the Palmer’s Cross Seventh Day Adventist Church in May Pen, Clarendon.
Other activities to mark the celebration include booth set ups, prayer breakfasts, excursions, training workshops and on-going media promotions to heighten awareness during and after the observance.
As part of the continuing promotion, a foster care forum will be held at an arranged date to highlight the achievements of foster care children, as well as plans in the pipeline to boost the programme.
“This initiative will provide current and prospective foster parents with the opportunity to engage CPFSA officials on a one-to-one basis about the Programme, such as our Hon. Minister, Floyd Green; CEO of CPFSA, Mrs. Rosalee Gage-Grey and CPFSA’s Director of Children and Family Programmes, Ms. Audrey Budhi. Foster parents and children as well as a child psychologist will also be a part of the happening,” she said.
Miss Dixon is encouraging the Jamaican populous to get on board and foster a child today. For more information, interested persons can contact the CDA at 948-2841-2 or visit CDA parish offices, islandwide.
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Contact: Miss Rochelle Dixon
Public Relations and Communications Manager
Email: dixonr@childprotection.gov.jm
Tele: 967-5905 or 469-4100