— residents to have easier access to pension, public assistance, disability services
THE community of Kwakwani in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice) will soon have its own Child Protection and Probation Officers, bringing critical social services closer to residents who currently depend on officers travelling from Linden.
Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud, made the announcement during a recent community outreach to Kwakwani, stating that the Government is moving to have the officers in place as soon as possible.
The officers will handle matters relating to child protection and probation, while assisting residents with Old Age Pension, Public Assistance and Permanent Disability applications, among other social services.
For residents of Kwakwani, the move means they will no longer have to depend solely on officers travelling from Linden to access these services.
According to the Ministry, while the intervention may appear simple, having officers based in the community will make accessing services significantly easier for residents.
“So, it’s big progress and with that presence here consistently, whatever issues, whatever complaints you have, you can have them addressed,” Minister Persaud said.
During the outreach, residents were also given the opportunity to engage Minister Persaud and ministry officials one-on-one, allowing them to raise concerns, receive answers and access services directly within the community.
Residents received assistance with Old Age Pension, Public Assistance, Permanent Disability and childcare matters.
Several persons also received assistive aids, including wheelchairs, walking canes and walkers.
Minister Persaud was accompanied by Permanent Secretary, Dr Erica Forte; Deputy Permanent Secretary (Administration), Arianna Beharry; Director of the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA), Levine Gouveia; Head of the Family Enhancement Services Section (FESS), Cardel Haunte; Manager of the Difficult Circumstances Unit (DCU), Paul Dwarka and other ministry officials.
