The Ministry of Community Affairs, Youth and Sports on Friday, 29 January 2016 officially opened a new facility in which to serve the Sister Islands public.
The office located on 23 Dennis Foster Road is newly renovated and includes a conference room and staff offices with further room for future growth or staffing needs.
It will house the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and Needs Assessment Unit (NAU) staff.
“These two entities, I should note, offer separate services” said Community Affairs Minister, Hon. Osbourne Bodden.
“The DCFS has two Social Work staff and a Community Development Officer on island to serve you. These persons focus on child protection matters, adoption, juvenile delinquency, domestic abuse, elderly matters and community-related issues. Meanwhile, Needs Assessment Unit staff provide financial assistance services,” Mr. Bodden said as he addressed a small crowd of dignitaries, civil servants and Brac residents.
He also noted the more than 30 years of DCFS representation in Cayman Brac since Karen Fraser first held the post of welfare and probation officer in 1978.
“But with the creation of the Needs Assessment Unit in November 2013, we realized that the existing space was lacking and no longer adequate,” said Mr. Bodden.
Sister Islands’ representative and the Deputy Premier, Hon. Moses Kirkconnell along with the Chief Officer Dorine Whittaker; NAU Director, Tamara Hurlston; Acting Director of DCFS, Paulinda Mendoza-Williams; District Commissioner, Ernie Scott; Deputy Commissioner, Mark Tibbetts and Chief Officer for District Administration, Stran Bodden were in attendance at the opening.
Photo Caption: (photos submitted)
Photo 1: DCFS and NAU offices in Cayman Brac
Photo 2: Deputy Premier, Moses Kirkconnell, District Commissioner, Ernie Scott and Minister for Community Affairs, Hon. Osbourne Bodden along with Acting Director of DCFS tour the facility
Photo 3: DCFS/NAU Office Ribbon Cutting