Take a Child Home for Christmas application deadline extended

The Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) has extended its application deadline for the Take a Child Home for Christmas Programme to tomorrow.

An initiative of the CPFSA, the programme, which began more than 10 years ago, allows persons to host a child or children from state care at their home for a day or longer period during the Yuletide season.

"As an agency, we believe that the best place for a child is in a nurturing familial environment. And so over the last couple of years, we have been heavily promoting our Foster Care

and Family Reintegration programmes as these offer better outcomes for our children. Take a Child Home for Christmas is an offshoot of the Foster Care programme, providing an avenue in which our children's holistic development is met while facilitating exposure and other growth opportunities for our children," Rosalee Gage-Grey, CPFSA CEO, explained.

Need more time

The programme caters to children three to 18 years old, particularly those who do not have parents/guardian to take them home for the holidays and would otherwise be in the facility.

"So far, due to promotion in the media the response has been good, but we have had many persons calling in last week to say they needed more time. As a result, we are extending the deadline to this Friday, December 14 at 3 p.m.," Gage-Grey said.

To participate, interested persons must be at least 25 years old, and are required to have:

- Completed application, including:

- Two references from justices of the peace

- Two passport-sized photographs: and;

- A valid identification

Approval will be communicated in five working days following an interview, background check and home assessment.

For more information, please contact the Child Protection and Family Services Agency, 48 Duke Street, Kingston at (876) 948-2841-2 or any parish office. Application forms may be downloaded at www.childprotection.gov.jm.