IT is always good to know the function of various establishments in Guyana, you never know when you may need to use one, or even point a neighbour or friend in the right direction. So today on 4 minutes 4 change, we are going to learn 10 things about the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA). Why? Well, there are so many misconceptions and myths about what the agency does and the reasons why.1) The CPA has been in existence for approximately seven years now (since the Childcare & Protection Agency Act was passed in 2009), so it is still early days in comparison to some other human services that have been in existence for decades.
2) The CPA is mandated by law (The Protection of Children Act 2009) to protect children who are ‘at risk’ or who have been abused. This includes children who have been neglected, maltreated, abandoned, physically or sexually abused and those who might be delinquent or are being exploited by adults.
3) Children are removed by the agency and placed into care,only as a last resort. Suitable family members or relatives are always given the first option to care for a child who is at risk of being removed. The intention is always to return children to their families when the environment is safe and after an assessment has been carried out. However, some children spend extended periods of time in care and for various reasons, some end up living in care.
4) The Director of the Agency, Ann Greene, has been working in the field of Human Services for over 30 years and has gained a ‘Masters of Science in Human Services,’ with specialization in family intervention, from Walden University, USA.
5) Her job consists of taking the lead role for the protection of our children which often means making some tough decisions. The director also has the task of holding staff accountable for the performance of their duties, as lapses can result in serious consequences for children and families.
6) There are seven departments at the agency, these are: Intake/ Child Abuse, Adoption, Foster Care, Family services, Early Childhood Development, Operation Care Centre and Family Court Services. The agency also has a child-friendly area and a family-counselling room.
7) The Child Protection Officers who work for the agency are designated to specific areas of Georgetown and regionally: There are Child Protection offices in East and West Berbice, Essequibo, Linden, Bartica, East Bank and West Demerara. There are also CPA officers who cover the interior locations such as Regions One, Eight and Nine.
8) Child Protection is not limited to the director, the agency and Child Protection Officers alone; it really needs to be a national collaboration and effort. Every adult should know or realise that it is their duty to protect children.
9) This article is part of a public awareness campaign by the CPA to highlight the necessity for us, (NGOs the general public, the media, and child-related entities) to team up and work together, to assist each other, in keeping children safe.
10) Find out more about the work carried out by the CPA, tune in this evening on NCN Channel 11 at 19.30hrs and watch, ‘Our children need’ a documentary highlighting three cases of child abuse.
If you are concerned about the welfare of a child, call the Childcare and Protection Hotline on 227-0979 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com