377 in 2010 to 3

micevan1l6

The Mahaica Children’s Home would soon be upgraded to provide better care, exclusively for teenage girls who have been victims of sexual abuse.It would be a collaborative project between the Human Services Ministry and a private sector company.This was revealed by Human Services Minister, Jennifer Webster, during her Budget presentation to the National Assembly, on Wednesday evening, as she outlined Government’s social services plans for citizens this year.Webster said that, that initiative is part of Government’s plan to ensure care centres and homes continue to provide protective and parental care.The Minister said that last year, a new facility, the Sophia Care Centre was commissioned. This facility currently houses 180 children between the ages of five and 18 years old.It would provide holistic care for young children as well as specialized counseling services, arts and Information Technology. She added that Government would continue to provide support and training opportunities to equip youths with life skills.In addition, plans are ongoing to establish a ‘half way house’ to accommodate those youths who have attained the age of 17 years and who are expected to leave the formal care system.Webster boasted that the Childcare Protection Agency has been playing a leading role in the investigation of a number of child abuse cases reported. This resulted in an increase of the number of cases investigated from 3,377 in 2010 to 3,653 cases in 2011.A total of 489 children were removed from abusive situations and placed in safe homes. The Minister said that the quality of Guyana’s child care services will be regulated through the implementation of the new Childcare Development and Services Act (2011), which mandates the licensing and monitoring of child care facilities.“The agency currently monitors the operations of 19 private homes throughout the length and breadth of our country.”She noted that next month, the Ministry will install Visiting Committees whose primary role will be to ensure that the private homes operate within minimum standards required. Moreover, the homes must be safe and secure for the children’s wellbeing.Webster stated that during the year the Child Care and Protection Agency will concentrate its efforts on early childhood development through a number of initiatives and programmes which would benefit children up to the age of eight years.