IN a collaborative effort to foster youth resilience and empowerment, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Youth Resilience, Inclusion, and Empowerment (Y-RIE) programme and the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security have graduated a second cohort of Social Service Providers (SSPs) from a rigorous Risk-Informed System training programme.

The ceremony marked the culmination of four months of intensive training, personalised supervision, and practical sessions designed to equip participants with the skills needed to provide youth-focused and trauma-informed care. The graduates now join a robust network of 136 trained SSPs across various sectors in Guyana, representing a vital step toward addressing the needs of vulnerable youth.

The programme’s impact extends beyond the immediate graduates. Approximately 45 per cent of Guyana’s Guidance and Counselling Officers, many of whom are attached to schools, have been trained under this initiative. Additionally, a significant portion of staff from the Ministry’s Family Enhancement Services Section has also benefitted from the curriculum, underscoring the programme’s reach and inclusivity.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, highlighted the programme’s importance during her address at the graduation ceremony. She emphasised that the collaboration stemmed from a shared commitment to identifying and addressing areas of intervention for youth and their families.

“This required looking at our systems and ensuring that what we did strengthened the system so that going forward, it would not emerge into a one-off training session but something tangible and impactful in the long term,” Dr. Persaud stated.
She noted the importance of understanding the environments and backgrounds that shape youth, advocating for positive interventions that not only build resilience but also support family stability and access to critical services.

Tiffany Daniels, Country Director for Y-RIE, described the graduation as the beginning of a strengthened network of professionals dedicated to transforming the lives of vulnerable youth.
“The risk-informed system strengthening or youth connections training was designed with intention and excellence. It utilised a robust format that not only equipped participants with knowledge but ensured practical application and mastery,” Daniels explained.

The programme’s inclusive design accommodated individuals from diverse roles, including house mothers, probation officers, guidance counsellors, kitchen staff, and community workers, all of whom contribute to the well-being and growth of youth in their care.
Daniels emphasised the importance of practical application, stating that each participant underwent structured training, applied their learnings in real-world settings, and received constructive feedback to refine their skills.

This year’s programme highlights the critical role of every interaction in shaping young lives. By equipping a diverse group of professionals with the tools and knowledge to address youth needs comprehensively, the initiative underscores its commitment to creating lasting change.
As Guyana continues to build capacity in social services, the collaboration between USAID-Y-RIE and the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security stands as a testament to the power of partnership in fostering resilience, inclusion, and empowerment among the nation’s youth.