Ministry of Social Development, Housing and Community Development

PERMANENT SECRETARY
Mrs. Elizabeth Henry-Greenidge

 

MISSION

The provision of services geared towards the resolution of individual and family problems, the alleviation of poverty, rehabilitation of the disabled, disadvantaged, deprived and those affected by the crisis and natural disasters.

VISION

To become the vanguard and exemplary organization for positive social development of the citizens of Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique.

ROLE

The Ministry through the development of policies and the delivery of a range of social welfare services aims to provide equitable and sustainable improvement in the quality of life of all citizens, in particular the needy of our society, the elderly, families, victims of abuse, children, young offenders and persons in need of immediate financial and material assistance.

Its main responsibilities therefore lies in the provision of services geared towards:

 

 

• The resolution of individual and family problems;
• The alleviation of poverty;
• The rehabilitation of the disabled, disadvantaged, deprived and those affected by crisis and natural disasters;
• Public housing policy and maintenance of public housing stock.

The Ministry also works in partnership with several local institutions:

• Mobile Care Givers Programme
• Homes for the Aged
• Children’s and Adolescent Services
• ECHO – on services to the elderly
• Grenada Adoption Board
• NCH – National Children’s Homes
• The Child Welfare Authority
• Legal Aid and Counselling Clinic
• Grenada National Council for the Disabled
• Other Non Government Organizations
• The Police Force
• The Courts

DIVISIONS

GENDER AND FAMILY AFFAIRS

The Division of Gender and Family Affairs has the responsibility to coordinate activities to create a gender balance society.  To achieve this goal, the Division plans and coordinates activities and programmes that would educate and highlight critical issues that affect the family as it continues to promote gender equality and fairness in our society.  This is being accomplished through the commemoration of family and human rights events such as:

• International Woman’s Day  (March 8th)
• International Family Day  (May 15th)
• Mothers’ Day and Fathers’ Day Celebrations
• International Day to Protest Violence Against Women  (November 25th)

Support is also given to other Departments, Groups and Organizations in their activities of a family and social nature.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE UNIT

The Domestic Violence Unit was established in 2003 to address the increasing incidence of domestic violence occurring in the State.  As signatory to Regional and International Conventions and agreements Grenada is committed to the preservation of human rights and protection of women from all forms of violence.

The main goal of the Domestic Violence Unit is to provide protection and support structures to effectively address issues of Domestic Violence within the State.

Some of the primary objectives are:

• To adequately address various issues of Domestic Violence and other forms of abuse on a national level
• To heighten public awareness of Domestic Violence
• To provide educational programmes nation-wide on the root causes of Domestic Violence, its effects on the individual and families with an emphasis on prevention

Treaties, Conventions, Agreements

The programmes and activities of the Domestic Violence Unit are guided by a number of National, Regional and International Treaties, Conventions and Agreements.  These include the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), (1990), The 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the Inter American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence (Belem do Para).  The Unit’s work is also informed by national legislation including the Domestic Violence Act (2001), The Criminal Code (Volume 1 of the Revised Laws of Grenada) and the Child Protection Act, 2008.

Activities and Programmes

The programmes and activities of the Unit are designed to address wide reaching needs of the community in the areas of public awareness, education, outreach, counseling and relationship building.

1. Public Awareness.  These activities focus on increasing public awareness throughout the various communities using different strategies.  Currently, plans are being developed to produce a series of television, radio and other forms of promotion that will serve to sensitize the public.
2. Education/Training.  A number of educational programmes have been undertaken to share information about domestic violence.  For example, a series of training workshops have been conducted to address the role of police officers as partners and first responders in the fight against domestic violence.
3. Community Outreach.  Outreach efforts include distribution of reader friendly copies of the Domestic Violence Act of 2001, Booklets providing information on domestic violence and other related pamphlets, throughout Grenada.  These material are distributed in homes, schools, agencies, social service district offices, community centers and local business houses.
4. Counseling.  Basic counseling assistance is provided to individuals and their families impacted by domestic violence.  This assistance is designed to help persons cope with the trauma of their experience, provide strategies for protecting themselves and their families and to make the necessary plans to achieve safety and stability.
5. Relationship Building/Liaising.  To support the work of the Unit and ensure clients’ needs are fully met, strategic relationships with individuals and organizations have been developed and maintained.  The Unit works closely with a number of inter and intra-governmental departments, non-governmental organizations and community agencies to secure resources that are needed by victims of domestic violence.
6. Information/Education Materials.  A number of print material on domestic violence have been produced in the Unit for sharing with victims and stakeholders.  

SOCIAL SERVICES

The Division of Social Services offers assistance to the general public via its three main programmes which are Safety Net, Child Protection and Family Services.

Safety Net

Under the Safety Net Programme:
Public Assistance is provided to vulnerable families who fall below the poverty line.  Cash transfers are made to the elderly, mentally ill, and persons who are physically and mentally challenged.  The public assistance programme targeted five thousand persons in 2007.  This target has been achieved.

Necessitous Fund is given through financial support to children to ensure that they remain in school by means of cash transfer made to the school or to the family.  This programme provided assistance to more than one thousand four hundred and fifty students during this year.  The programme provides assistance from August to June of every year.  It targets children from poor and large families, those in child care homes and foster care, and those who do not attend school regularly.

Burial Assistance is granted to families whose relatives need assistance to ensure a proper burial of their loved ones.  A grant not exceeding two thousand dollars is given to vulnerable families but is paid upon application to the funeral homes.  The programme targeted one hundred persons in 2007.

Disaster Fund is provided to families that have suffered a personal disaster.  Most of the assistance has been granted to families that have experienced a fire involving wooded uninsured buildings.  In other cases, victims of floods or heavy rains have been assisted.  One thousand five hundred dollars is contributed to each affected family.

Child Protection

The Ministry of Social Development has the responsibility to investigate all reported cases of child abuse.  It has regulatory responsibility for the Child Welfare Authority, the agency responsible for the placement of children in child care homes, foster care and supervision in the communities. A 24 hour hotline is operated to receive reports of child abuse.

Family Services

This programme provides assistance to:

• Juveniles through the monitoring of teenagers who come into conflict with the law.  This includes representation through the court system, family and community interventions.
• Day Care by the provision of institutional and community educational services for children between the ages of six months to three years.
• Elder Care in the form of institutional and community care services to the elderly.  Personal care support service is provided to vulnerable clients to remain in the community for as long as possible.
• Probation services by means of monitoring of non custodial sentences in the community.  Low risk offenders who have been placed on service orders by the court serve time in the community contributing to charitable organizations or being engaged in the community activities e.g. minor repairs, beach clean/community painting of public facilities etc.
• Counselling efforts by using individual and family intervention for clients and their families.
• The disabled by way of regulatory and supervisory support for the Grenada Council for the Disabled Member Organizations to provide services to the affected population.             

SERVICES

The Ministry of Social Development caters to the needs of the society by providing equitable and open access to a range of social services on the basis of their individual needs therefore improving national development through:

• Home and Shelter
• Advice and counselling
• Medical and other support services referrals
• Material goods and financial assistance when in extreme need
• Follow up support and guidance
• Access to relevant information and guidance on issues such as dealing with family issues, housing and employment.

ASSOCIATED BODIES

The Child Welfare Authority of Grenada
P.O. Box 1962
St. Johns Street,
St. George, Grenada, W.I.

Telephone: (473) 435-0766, 
Fax: (473) 435-0766
Email: childwelfare@spiceisle.com

The Housing Authority of Grenada
Marine Villa
Carenage
St. George, Grenada, W.I.

Telephone:  (473) 440-1015/1016
Email:  hag@spiceisle.com

 

UNICEF – United Nations Children’s Fund
Website: www.unicef.org

UNIFEM – United Nations Development Fund for Women
Website: www.unifem.org

Gender Equality Observatory of Latin America and the Carribbean
Website: http://www.eclac.org

 

LEGISLATIONS

• The Maintenance Act of Grenada
• The Child Abuse Protection Act
• The Domestic Violence Act
• The Probation Act
• The Adoption Act
• The SRO #13 OF 2006 – Domestic Violence

 

Ministry of Social Development, Housing and Community Development

Ministerial Complex
West Wing, 1st Floor
Botanical Gardens
Tanteen, St. George's

Tel: (473) 440-6037 / 7952 / 7994
Fax: (473) 440-7990
E-Mail: ministrysod@yahoo.com