I have decided to adopt part of Donald Trump’s slogan. My slogan will be “Making Barbados Great Again.” I do not just wish to coin a cute phrase but to actually put forward workable solutions to make our nation great again. Many years ago, I visited my son at school, it was either when he was in Infants A or Infants B and as I approached the classroom door, there was a lot of chatter and I heard the teacher ask “What are you doing? Are you working?” I do not know if anyone responded as I was searching for that familiar face when I stood at the door. Some of the little boys saw me and ran to the door shouting “Kajani’s mummy!” The teacher bid me welcome and I entered. Only then did I set my eyes on the little boy whom I was searching and he did not even see me. Amidst all the noise and the disruption of my being there, he remained in deep concentration, so focused on getting the task at hand done that he was unaware of my presence until I called his name. From that day, I was in awe of him.
Now let us replace the above script with the people of Barbados, the Minister of Social Care and the work that is to be done there. Imagine me turning up at the Ministry of Social Care one morning to find out if the work that was set by the people of Barbados was being done. Would I find the Minister in the midst of distractions yet so focused on getting the work of the people done? Would I come away in awe of him? Based on the sum of what has been occurring with regards to social services in Barbados, I think not.
Recently, there were two separate and distinct occurrences that have added to the disaster of social care delivery in Barbados. The first was a story of a young woman whose new born baby was taken away by the Child Care Board due to the fact that neither she nor the father had suitable housing. The second was a story of two young men, one of who was chained and the other locked in a room of their home by their father. I have not heard of any utterances public or other wise of the Minister of Social Care regarding these two situations. As far as I am aware, the baby has not been reunited with its mother and the two young men are back with their abusive father.
I view both of the occurrences as the shame of every person who lives in Barbados and more so that of the Minister. For too long, the act of providing social care to special needs persons who are beyond school age have been ignored. Society has not done enough to help care for these fellow Barbadians and neither has the Government. I can but I have decided not to dwell on the inability of the Minister as he appears to be bankrupt of ideas to resolve these social problems. However, his ministry has witnessed the death of three young children and would rather use unenforceable legislation to imprison parents rather than resolve an age old problem of promiscuity. Added to the lack of performance are the two cases mentioned above. Since the State is either unable or unwilling to provide social care services to the population that are required in the 21st century, it should concentrate its efforts on creating the environment for others to do so, just as it does for business.
Therefore, if I were the Minister of Social Care, I would set about to enforce the following solutions as remedy for not only those three unfortunate individuals but to transform the current state of delivery of social services on the island. Even without a ton of money, these solutions can be implemented. We have seen government enter into public private partnerships where only the private sector benefits. Examples of these are the Villages of Coverley and the SBRC. It is time for the government to establish a public private partnership where the people benefit. The Ministry of Social Care sees it fit to spend thousands of dollars on football tournaments and the Government is spending $7 million in 50th Anniversary celebrations but yet refuses to undertake the required steps to enable all Barbadians especially those who need it most, a better quality of life.
Solutions
-
That the government becomes a regulator of the provision of Social Services.
-
That public-private partnerships are formed with several non –profit social innovation entities to provide care, housing, rehabilitation as well as preventative and respite services, services for homelessness, disabilities , seniors, childcare and other welfare services.
-
That the government allocates grants for the provision of the above mentioned services.
-
That the Non-Profit Organizations also seek funding from private and business donors.
-
That the agencies will be referred cases by government, police, the hospital and members of the public.
-
That the underutilized library buildings and community centers be used as places or learning for these persons; teaching them life skills and to utilize various computer programs and the Internet.
-
A Volunteer Program is to be created for persons to help these individuals in their homes, until such time as funds are sourced to make their contributions paid services.
-
Volunteers can be sought from the average of 1,500 persons who attend Q in the Community and therefore have free time on their hands.
-
That the Government allocates funding for training volunteers.
-
Government must set aside some of its housing stock for those who cannot care for themselves but do not need to be institutionalized.
-
The Public private partnership can also assist with placing persons in temporary lodging until permanent solutions are sourced.
-
The creation of economic based programs to help these persons supply their needs where possible; i.e. in terms on entrepreneurship or finding suitable work.
-
That the Child Care Board is disbanded and that the services that it is intended to provide is provided by the created non profits.
-
That a preventative programme be set up in all schools with social workers to prevent delinquency and promiscuity.
-
That a respite service be set up for children in homes that are at risk. Trained volunteers can also be utilized in this area.
-
That a Board of Advocates be created to lobby the government for the creation and advancement of public policy for Social services.
These solutions are not meant to be the complete package of what is required to transform the delivery of social services in Barbados but are meant to start a discussion with ideas to add to the contents. Without a visionary leaders and workers, the people will perish. We must be able to see what the Minister is doing with the responsibility that the people of Barbados have entrusted to him.
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.