As the July 1 deadline for licensure draws nearer, preparations to move into another facility have begun for both staff and residents of the St Jude’s Home for Girls.
Guardian Media was informed by Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) with responsibility for Gender and Child Affairs, Ayanna Webster-Roy, that the girls and staff, “will be temporarily relocated to the compound of the former St Michael’s (Home for Boys).”
That facility, located along the Diego Martin Main Road, Diego Martin, was closed in 2018 after 129 years of existence due to what the OPM described as a “drastic reduction in the number of residents.”
St Jude’s Belmont location has been deemed unfit due to the age of its infrastructure and it has already been determined that in its current state, the facility will not meet the requirements to be licensed by the new extended deadline. A fire at the home in late April, which damaged the second floor of a building on the compound, was also a major setback.
However, Minister Webster-Roy said yesterday that she is confident all children will be at the new facility by July 1.
“I can guarantee you that the girls at St Jude’s would be legally accommodated come proclamation on July 1,” the Minister told Guardian Media via text message.
The proclamation the Minister referred to were sections of the Children’s Community Residences, Foster Homes and Nurseries Act which make operating a home without a license illegal, carrying with it a fine of $10,000.
While the chair of the St Jude’s Home, Marsha Bailey, is pleased with the new location, she underscored that this move requires more than just the packing up of personal items and equipment.
“We have to get the prerequisites go-ahead from the courts because as you know, most of these girls are here by court order and because of the court order, we have to be specific and go back to court to let them know because of particular challenges and the fire, which was one of the main reasons that we are moving, we would like to discuss with them and get their approval as to where the girls will now be because that will have to be changed in the court order,” Bailey explained.
However, Bailey is optimistic that the change in physical environment will be a major asset in unlocking the potential of the residents.
“It’s an excellent facility, the girls will now be given the opportunity to have a different type of programme because the spacing is different. I am happy with the work that has been done, we were limited and cramped for space in Belmont but at this facility, we can now look at more sporting activities and there’s a space for an audio-visual room.”
Bailey said over the last two weeks they have been registering their assets, packing boxes and mapping out where each person will be moved to. She admitted that “one set of approvals” is still outstanding but she is confident that will be sorted out before the July 1 deadline.
Guardian Media was told that the entire population of around 65 girls will be moved to the Diego Martin facility, including the children who are in need of supervision or CHINS.
“There is a proposal to have the CHINS separated from the children who have care matters so we are still looking to be able to find suitable accommodations and not just a facility, so once that part happens we may have to find another type of accommodations but for the time being all the girls will be on the same compound but it allows us to house the girls according to their specific needs and challenges.”
On May 17, Minister of Youth Development and National Service, Foster Cummings, told Guardian Media that Cabinet has appointed an advisory committee to help develop a policy and programme for female CHINS.
