The Ministry of Youth Development and National Service (MYDNS) will add to the complement of current youth development programmes and facilities under its purview. The Advisory Committee to develop a Policy Proposal for a Restorative Programme and Facility for Female Children in Need of Supervision (CHINS) held a meeting on Friday 3rd February, 2023 at the Head Office of the Ministry of Youth Development and National Service (MYDNS), Elizabeth Street, St. Clair, Port of Spain.
In October 2022, the Advisory Committee was appointed by Cabinet and charged with developing specific development action plans for a restorative and rehabilitative programme for female CHINS; a conceptual design to inform the female CHINS facility and a management and operational model for the facility. The Committee’s work will fill the void of services for female CHINS and aid the Juvenile Justice System in support of restorative practices. Through the Committee, the MYDNS will establish a Restorative Programme and Facility for Female CHINS.
Mr. Haimdath Ramoutar, Deputy Permanent Secretary, MYDNS was present at the meeting to welcome the team stating, “This task is of great significance as it will impact the lives of our young women. It creates a safe and empowering environment and support system to successfully reintegrate constructive, productive and contributing members of society.”
The Honourable Foster Cummings, Minister of Youth Development and National Service, previously shared that, “The National Child Policy 2020-2030 highlighted concerns regarding CHINS of which a high incidence of 49% of cases were females and falls within the age category of youths. As such the care, protection and supervision of this category of children remain a priority of the Ministry. At present, the accommodation and support services for CHINS are insufficient. The MYDNS aims to establish a Restorative Programme and Facility for Female CHINS.”
The Advisory Committee comprises an interdisciplinary team of subject matter experts from the disciplines of youth work, developmental psychology, education, family and child law, childcare and protection and marketing. The Advisory Committee members are:
- Sharon Morris Cummings – Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (Chairperson)
- Sherry Ann Ramlal – Ministry of Youth Development and National Service
- Rackeal Bissoon – Ministry of Youth Development and National Service
- Christie-Anne Morris-Alleyne – Judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago
- Illana Samaroo – Office of the Prime Minister-Gender and Child Development
- Cheryl-Ann Baldeosingh – University of the West Indies, St. Augustine –Faculty of Social Sciences
- Natalie Robinson-Arnold – Ministry of Education-Student Support Services Division
- Abena Hartley – Ministry of National Security
- Shobian Chase – Specialised Youth Service Programme
- Martin A. De Silva – Office of the Prime Minister – Communications, Information Division
- Marsha Bailey – St. Jude’s Home for Girls
- Giselle Chance – Vision on Mission
- Christa Sankarsingh – Invision HR, IT and Logistics Limited
The Committee is expected to complete their report and recommendations by the second quarter of 2023 and submit to Cabinet for its consideration.
The Ministry of Youth Development and National Service remains committed to bringing all stakeholders together to promote youth development and encourage civic-minded citizens to contribute to national service across Trinidad and Tobago.
