The University of the West Indies (The UWI) St. Augustine Campus and The Children’s Authority have taken an important step towards reinforcing the safety and care of the nation’s children.
On Monday, the two organizations came together at The UWI St. Augustine Campus to formalize the signing of two pivotal agreements that underscore their steadfast commitment to child protection and safeguarding.
The two agreements comprise of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and a service contract for the Children’s Authority and the Department of Behavioural Sciences. The first agreement (service contract) is an extension of an initiative that started on May 8, 2023.
This initiative aimed to train 100 staff members who work with children in residential care in Trinidad and Tobago. The training provided care workers with a better sense of preparedness and sensitivity to the matters that feed into the care and protection of the nation’s children as well as access to networks, support systems, and opportunities for professional growth. This recently signed agreement continues this effort by providing training for another 100 child support officers and supervisors at The Children’s Authority.
Dr. Talia Esnard, Head of The UWI St. Augustine Campus, Department of Behavioural Sciences highlighted the innovative nature of the MoU, which facilitates on-the-job training opportunities for postgraduate students within the Department of Behavioural Sciences. She explained, “The MoU also allows for collaborative research projects, joint submission of external funding proposals, community-based intervention programmes, capacity building training and professional development exchanges with an opportunity to examine, connect and address some of the perennial issues that continue to threaten the rights and wellbeing of our children.”
