Sections Of Children's Residences Act Extended To July 1st

Five of the 13 Children's Homes that are unlicensed have completed over 90% of their readiness requirements and are one step closer to becoming licensed Children's Homes. The five Homes are St. Mary's Children's Home, Chickland Children's Home, Joshua Home for the Boys, Mary Care Centre, and Casa De Corazon. On Monday, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Gender and Child Affairs, Ayanna Webster-Roy, said Government has allocated $2.5 million in fiscal 2023 to enable Homes to address infrastructural requirements relevant to obtaining Fire and Public Health Certificates. The Fire Service and Public Health Authorities were also alerted to prioritise the inspection of the relevant Children's Homes and to expedite the submission of the related report. As a result of these, Sections that address operating a Children's Home without a residence license and caring and housing children in a Home that has not been licensed have not been proclaimed. These Sections belong to the Children's Community Residences Foster Care and Nurseries Act Chapter 46:04. The date for these Homes to be licensed has been extended to July 1st, 2023. At present, there are 37 Homes under the purview of the Government with a total of 214 children under their care.