Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/4721/-1/140/
|
Another chapter in the history of the Department of Social Development was written on Tuesday 15th May 2007. Before a small but appreciative gathering, on the grounds of the residence of the Chief Minister and Mrs. Fleming, over 40 persons were honoured for providing Foster Care Services to children on the island. The recipients were placed in four categories depending on the length of time the service was rendered:
Less than one year
1 to less than 5 years
5 to less than 10 years
10 years or more
|
|
Recipients of Awards Photos courtesy Frankie Smith
|
Each recipient received a certificate or plaque depending on the category of service. Gifts vouchers will be forwarded later.
During the ceremony the gathering heard brief remarks from the Director Family and Social Services, Mrs. Daphne Hodge, Commissioner of Social Development, Mr. Sanford Richardson, and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Development, Dr. Bonnie Richardson-Lake, who was substituting for Mr. Evans McNeil Rogers, Minister of Social Development.
Foster Placement is the practice of entrusting a child, in principle, to a person or family other than his or her biological parents, with or without the consent of the latter, whenever it was deemed to be in the best interest of the child. It was stressed, however, that foster placement was also meant to be a temporary arrangement the aim being the reunification of the child with his/her biological parents.
|
|
Recipients of Awards Photos courtesy Frankie Smith
|
At the end of 2006 there were 19 children in the care of 13 foster carers. In 2006 alone 6 new placements were made. Most of the children are placed in the care of a relative which is encouraged by international standards. The government contributed $85,749.69 towards the care of these children.
In reinforcing this fact Dr. Lake said that unfortunately reunification was not always possible because the circumstances that necessitated the removal in the first place do not improve in many cases. She, however, commended the staff at the department for the timely gesture and reassured them of the Ministry’s continued support.
In her remarks the Director spoke of the thrust towards the expansion of the service so that chinks in the present system will be ‘ironed out’ over time. Among the plans for improvement are training which will lead to certification for those willing to offer the service. All the speakers appealed to all Anguillians who were willing to offer such a service to do so.
Notably present at the function was the Acting Governor, Mr. Stanley Reid and Mrs. Reid, past Director of the Department, Mrs. Lana Connor-Hoyoung, some of the sponsors and past staff members of the department. Mrs. Ruby Fleming, wife of the Chief Minister, commended the department for the thoughtful and worthy gesture. She also assisted with the distribution of the awards.
The gathering was entertained by Mr. Kingley Richardson and was serenaded by a very fitting selection in song by James and Patricia Harrigan, who themselves were recipients of an award.
The activity which was part of the celebrations of the 40th anniversary of the Anguilla Day Revolution was sponsored by the Chief Minister’s Office. Other sponsors included individuals and businesses on the island. Mrs. Sonia Skellekie, a Senior Social Worker, at the department, chaired the programme.
The department places on record its heartiest appreciation to all the sponsors and especially the Chief Mister and Mrs. Fleming for hosting the activity.
Mrs. Ruby Fleming (centre) and others
|