The Social Development Department will be hosting a foster care and adoptive training for prospective foster and adoptive parents and existing foster parents from November 9 to13 at the Red Cross Conference Room from 8:30 a.m. to noon daily.

Division Head of Children, Family and Protective Services, Ms. Stacie Stoutt-James said the training is part of efforts by the Social Development Department to ensure that foster carers are trained and certified.

Ms. Stoutt-James said, “We want our foster parents to learn a variety of skills to be in a better position to parent children who are behaviorally and emotionally challenged.  Foster and adoptive families need comprehensive preparation and support to understand the dynamics of these problems our children have experienced. The workshop will also give our participants an opportunity to learn about the role and responsibilities of foster caring and provide a better understanding of how the system works and the support services that the department offers.”

Ms. Stoutt-James added, “Currently there are 32 children in foster care, thus why we are encouraging persons to take advantage of the upcoming training as a first step of opening their hearts and homes to a child who may be in need.”

Persons are encouraged to provide abused or neglected children with a safe, nurturing and loving environment. Those wishing to qualify as foster parents must submit to the foster care assessment requirements.

Interested persons can contact the Social Development Department at 468-3636 to learn more or visit the office which is located upstairs of the Road Town Senior Centre adjacent to the Althea Scatliffe Primary School. 

Persons interested in learning more about foster and adoptive care can tune in to a GIS interview on CBN Channel 51 from tomorrow, November 3 to 9 at 7:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. daily.

The Social Development Department is committed to providing the population of the Virgin Islands with effective social services that will empower, promote and enrich their quality of life, while fostering individual independence.