The Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (CATT) will be given $9.4 million for the implementation of various initiatives aimed at ensuring the care and protection of the nation’s children in 2023.
A Drug Rehabilitation Centre Community Residence will also be constructed in Tobago for children sentenced by court for substance abuse.
According to the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP), the sum of $6 million will be provided for the refurbishment of a facility at Piparo for the establishment of a Consolidated Child Support Centre.
The project involves refurbishment and outfitting of the administrative building, kitchen, laundry and dormitories.
Additionally, the facility will be secured by the installation fencing around the perimeter.
The Authority will also seek to establish a Reception Centre in Tobago for children with behavioural challenges and poor mental health.
With an allocation of $1.8 million, the PSIP said that CATT will refurbish and outfit a property in Bacolet, Tobago for the proposed Reception Centre.
The Reception Centre, which will be a fit for purpose facility, will provide additional placement options for children in Tobago.
The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) will commence designs and construction of a Drug Rehabilitation Centre Community Residence in Tobago with an allocation of $9 million.
The centre will provide accommodation for 40 boys who have been sentenced by the Children’s Court to a substance abuse programme for a period of three months.
In order to prevent intruders from gaining access to the St Dominic’s Children’s Home in Belmont, a total of $1.5 million will be provided for the construction of a perimeter wall to increase the safety and security of residents.
The project will involve demolition of the existing wall and reconstruction of a reinforced concrete perimeter fence.
The upgrade of St Jude’s Girl’s Home in Belmont will also continue in fiscal 2023 with an allocation.