Dr Andrea Garbutt examines a child from the Walker's Place of Safety at a mini-health fair put on by Faith Chapel United Pentecostal Church. The fair was held at 17 Lyndhurst Crescent, Kingston 5, as part of the church's community outreach ministry. - Contributed
Nine months ago after Health Minister Rudyard Spencer instructed operators of privately run children's homes to apply for licences to operate, there are still some institutions operating without the proper permission as set out by the Child Care and Protection Act regulations.
The order by the Minister was triggered by a case involving a childcare superintendent who was charged with buggery at a boys' home in St Mary.
On May 7, the Child Development Agency (CDA) got the go-ahead from Spencer to grant only 29 of the 45 licences applied for by privately run residential childcare facilities.
At present, there are 48 private residential childcare facilities in the island. Three of these homes missed the August deadline to submit applications for licensing, as instructed by Spencer.
The 16 facilities that were refused licences but are still operating are at various stages of readiness, reported St. Juste. "Approximately four are in the process of effecting repairs while the others have been reinspected and are awaiting documentation from the Jamaica Fire Brigade and the Public Health Department."
According to her, the Child Care Facility Regulatory Review Committee, which was formed to review applications and documents, is now awaiting the submission of outstanding materials by the necessary parties. After this happens, a meeting will be organised. "This meeting is likely to take place before the end of the month when the necessary certificates and documents are handed over."
This committee includes representatives from the Office of Children's Advocate, health ministry, the Early Childhood Commission and the CDA.
During the period September 8-19 last year, homes which submitted applications for licences were assessed by officers from the CDA as well as persons hired for that purpose.
The process of issuing these licences, according to the health minister, is now left up to the CDA.
latoya.grindley@gleanerjm.com