UNC’s deputy political leader Marlene Coudray says the Government is moving to reduce the disparity in the allocation of subventions given to private children’s homes and state-run orphanages.
She was speaking at the official opening of the $14 million Ste Madeleine Male Transition Home at Osbourne Lane, Ste Madeleine, yesterday. The home, built on Caroni lands, will accommodate adults, aged 18 to 24, who are in the care of the State.
Delivering greetings on behalf of Minister of Gender, Youth and Child Development, Clifton De Couteau, Coudray said over $20 million is spent annually to care for 217 children in state-run homes.
She said private homes were given only $25,000 a year by the Government even though they accommodate over 600 children.
Admitting there were flaws in the system, Coudray said: “Some children have returned to state homes and have reported experiencing homelessness, lack of family support and financial struggles, due to impoverished education, vocational and necessary life skills.
“The ministry has also committed $11.7 million for the restructuring of the Josephine Shaw Hostel to facilitate the provision of transitional facilities and services by the Salvation Army.”
Coudray said the new home would ensure that youths were well prepared for a life of independence and social inclusion.
She added: “The home will be managed by a non-governmental or community-based organisation. Cabinet has agreed that Nipdec will handle the sourcing of the human resource.”
She also said a site had been identified in Aripo and architectural plans were almost complete to build T&T’s first male and female rehabilitation centres for children who were in conflict with the law.
“Until these rehabilitation centres are completed, Cabinet has agreed that the St Michael’s School for Boys and the St Judes School for Girls will serve as the interim rehabilitation facilities,” Coudray said.
She added that a Cabinet-appointed committee had been working with the homes to ensure they were up to standard.