Programmes
Some of the programmes offered by the Family Services Division are:
Applications should be made to the Public Assistance Board members in your area.
Public Assistance
This is monetary help given to the aged who are needy, fostered children, the handicapped, school children and orphans.
‘Poor relief’, as this is commonly known, is given at the beginning of each month at different local paying stations.
Housing Materials
Some assistance is available to ensure that housing is in an adequate state.
Requests for help with building materials should be made to the Public Assistance Board member in your area.
Non-Maintenance
The Maintenance Act 1989 provides for the adequate support of children and other family members who are incapable of supporting themselves. However, the Department deals almost exclusively with maintenance of children under the age of sixteen years.
A particular course of action is followed for each report made. Persons against whom reports are made are summoned to the Department by letter or telephone. Efforts are made to have payments of maintenance monies made directly to parents and guardians or through the Department. Where these efforts fail, the parent or guardian is assisted in having the matter taken before the Court. Persons failing to obey court orders to pay maintenance may be brought back before the Court.
The Maintenance Act outlines the categories of persons who may legally request maintenance.
Probation Services
Some youths will behave in an antisocial or criminal way. The Family Services Division
works with the Courts to produce reports on these juvenile offenders.
A representative of the Department will appear in Court on behalf of the youth. Counselling and follow up care is also offered.
Adults who are given community service orders by the Court are also supervised by Probation Offers.
Officers are requested at times to provide Social enquiry reports on young offenders to the Court including the High Court.
Burial
Families who are unable to meet all the costs of burial, and who are not beneficiaries of a Friendly Society, are assisted with a coffin.
Lewis Punnett Home
This home is for the care of the aged and mentally handicapped who are unable to look after themselves. Anyone in the community can bring a request for an aged person to be put on the waiting list. This Department will then contact you when a vacancy arises.
Data Collection
The Family Services Division is also charged with collecting national data on the social conditions within Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Community Education Programme
The Department will be implementing a series of lectures and discussions in communities throughout the State. These will be aimed at educating people about the services offered by the Division and the laws that govern social services, and also at highlighting any issues relevant to family and community life.
The co-operation of the community groups and leaders will be solicited to ensure the effective implementation of this programme.
