New Local Boards of Guardians have been installed in Anna Regina and Bartica with a charge to ensure greater emphasis on supporting families.
This charge came from Social Protection Minister, Volda Lawrence at the recent installation ceremony at Anna Regina and Bartica. A release yesterday from the Ministry of Social Protection said that also attending the ceremony were Member of Parliament and Advisor to the Minister, John Adams and Assistant Chief Probation and Social Security Officer, Ricardo Banwarie.
The boards have responsibility for processing applications for Public Assistance.
The Local Boards of Guardians are responsible for evaluating and determining the worthiness of the applications.
Lawrence, the release said, urged the members to go beyond recommending the cash grant and to seek additional support to empower the families. She said this can be done in collaboration with other arms of the Ministry that provide both skills training and job placement; or with sister agencies and Ministries.
The Minister added that children receiving Public Assistance must attend schools regularly and urged the Board members to monitor their attendance.
Lawrence alerted parents to the Ministry’s intention of holding them accountable when they are delinquent in caring for their children.
Such parents will have to face the law whenever they neglect their children’s welfare, she warned.
Lawrence reiterated to the new Board members that Government is moving in the direction of implementing conditional cash transfers, which would eventually replace Public Assistance.
This would take the form of tangible assistance to families that would help to empower the entire family, rather than a cash transfer for a few members.
The Minister also disclosed that persons with permanent disabilities are now being given Public Assistance Vouchers for an entire year, instead of six months as was done previously.
Board members are selected from communities within the Regions. The release said that there are 28 such Boards across the country.
