Government of Jamaica
Kingston, Jamaica. Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck at the annual Child Diversion Forum, made an appeal, for more Jamaicans to become mentors in the Child Diversion (CD) Programme. The Forum held at the Terra Nova All Suite Hotel on May 2, to commemorate Child Month, was held under the theme: Act Now: Partner for Justice, Healing and Hope.
Since the establishment of the programme, there has been much success with a number of children benefiting. Additionally, referrals from the courts and police are on the rise, resulting in an increase in the number of Child Diversion officers needed across the parishes. The increase in referrals has also amplified the need for mentors.
“I am calling on outstanding and socially conscious individuals, especially Justices of the Peace to become mentors. We do need more mentors and usually the process is voluntary. I am urging more persons, especially retired persons who have some time, to be trained, so that when a child is referred we can have a mentor easily accessible to that child,” stated Minister Chuck.
Within the last year, over a hundred mentors have been trained. All parishes except Westmoreland and Hanover had mentors trained. Portland, St James and Clarendon reflected the highest number of trained mentors last year, with each having less than 20.
“We have trained over 400 mentors but not everyone of them are readily available. We don’t want mentor or mentee having to travel many miles, instead we want mentors to be spread right across the island for easy access and easy engagement,” emphasized Minister Chuck.
Mentorship is an integral part of the CD programme as it is often part of the individual treatment plans developed for children enrolled in the programme. Not having youths assigned to mentors could hinder their progress through the programme and lengthen the time required to complete the Child Diversion process.
Mentors are expected to be Jamaican citizens, eighteen years and older, literate with at least a secondary level education. They must be willing to volunteer for a year and have a minimum one year working experience. Mentors should be non-partisan, confidential and a person of integrity. To become a mentor, persons are encouraged to visit the Child Diversion office in their parish or visit www.moj.gov.jm to register.
