The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, through the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA), launched a parenting programme facilitators’ manual on July 27, 2022.
A release from the Ministry said the trainer-of-trainers programme targets anyone who wants to be trained. According to the ministry, the training will be conducted by volunteers, officers from the ministry and people in the communities.
The release noted that parents will be exposed to the knowledge of child development and non-violent methods of discipline and assistance to overcome personal dysfunction that affects their parenting role. The programme also aids in the process of de-institutionalization of children and unnecessary separation of children from their parents.
“The special parenting manual is an excellent investment by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security. It was compiled within the Childcare and Protection Agency with support from other agencies and spearheaded by former Director, Ann Greene and Senior Probation and Social Services Officer, Sherri-Ann Vandeyar-Francois. I am very happy this manual could be launched right now because the ‘Every Child Safe’ campaign could be rolled out across the country and this is an important component where we focus on the parents and help [them] to navigate the challenges of parenting,” Minister Vindhya Persaud said.
The minister added, “Before working with parents, there would be a massive training-of-trainers’ exercise so that all communities across the country would be able to help the Ministry of Human Services to roll out the parenting manual. I look forward for persons coming on board, wanting to work with us as trainers, and I look forward to a time when parents can breathe a sigh of relief because there is that kind of support that will help them deal with all kinds of situations that can be considered modern in the sense of difficulties and challenges, so it is that kind of comprehensive manual.”
Vandeyar-Francois commented, “CPA has recognized that parenting training is essential for parents since family dysfunction continues to be high, creating serious vulnerability for children that warrants their separation from the family. The parenting training programme is a preventative one which aims at providing capacity building for couples or single parents to improve their social functioning and parenting skills to enable them to provide effective care for their children.”
