The Editor, Sir:

With reference to Letters to the Editor on October 24 and 25, the Child Development (CDA) is encouraged by the concerns and obvious interest in the story 'I want back my children' published on October 23.

At the heart of what we do, and irrevocably intertwined in every decision the agency makes is that the family comes first. I want to emphasise that the separation of children from their parents is an action of last resort. It is for this reason that the CDA established the Living In Family Environments programme, which is geared towards helping fragile families ensure better futures for their children and providing nurturing families to children who have never been exposed to that sort of environment. We are proud to say that the number of children participating in this programme represents more than half (52 per cent) of the total number of children in state care we have not yet achieved our target of 65 per cent, this is positive reinforcement of our drive to place our clients in family-oriented programmes.

Emotional trauma

Each time a child is separated from his/her family, we too are saddened by the emotional trauma the child suffers. While we purport that residential child care facilities are not the preferred option, the CDA has been working hard to ensure that they are provided with quality care.

In the past three years, the CDA has spent more than $120 million dollars on the physical rehabilitation of over 25 facilities. In addition, fundamental changes have been made in the sector with the implementation of a routine monitoring programme, which, to date, has achieved nearly 100 per cent compliance rate, coming from less than 25 per cent prior to 2004.

The agency has been commended for adopting an open and transparent approach in our reporting and has not been flagged for any breaches under the watch of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) to which we report on a biannual basis.

We support Rev. Bennett's call for the Church to become more involved in the monitoring of residential child care facilities as a key stakeholder, operating the majority of the facilities in Jamaica.

Firm commitment

When first approached about this story, we indicated that we had been working with this family for some time; as well with other service partners in Government, at least one of whom had made a firm commitment in respect of payment of rental for a property if our client was able to identify suitable accommodations.

It is unfortunate that this piece of information was left out, therefore, causing justified consternation among your readers.

As in all such cases, counselling and psycho-social support is offered on an ongoing basis within the limits of our human resources. The CDA acted in the best interests of the children. We are hoping for a speedy reunion because we agree that they belong with their mother but they need a decent place to live. It would, therefore, be of great assistance to the family if concerned persons who own or know of a good place that is being rented for a nominal fee make an offer. If you can help, give me a call 322-0449.

We are all looking forward to the children's return to their mother.

I am, etc.,

ALISON ANDERSON

childdev@anbell.net

CEO, Child Development Agency

Via Go-Jamaica