Children services to get multimillion-dollar boost

The Ministry of Youth and Culture says Cabinet has agreed to increase the budgetary allocation for children services this fiscal year by more than $116M.

The Ministry says the increased funding approved by Cabinet includes an additional $103M in the subvention paid to private children’s homes and places of safety as part of an attempt to enhance the services they provide.

In a statement yesterday, the ministry said $10M will go towards financing a public education campaign to encourage more families to get involved in foster care and $3.3M for the Child Development Agency.

The increased funding came after Minister of Youth and Culture Lisa Hanna led a delegation that met with the Minister of Finance, Planning and the Public Service yesterday.

Hanna says the increased allocation takes on added significance coming while the nation celebrates Child’s Month.

She says it is an important demonstration of the Government’s commitment to the protection and development of the nation’s children and an acceptance by Cabinet of the urgency of the financial need in this area.

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