Plea for PAREDOS

A member of this island’s legal fraternity would like to see the annual subvention given to Parents Education For Development In Barbados (PAREDOS) by government increased.

Roseann Richards made the appeal while delivering the feature address at PAREDOS’ Parenting Class Graduation Ceremony on yesterday at Accra Beach Hotel and Spa.

Richards said an increase in subvention could help the non-profit organisation to do more and expand its present offerings.

“I would like to make a request that government’s annual subvention to PAREDOS be increased. This request is being made in light of the increasing demand placed on PAREDOS for their services by private as well as the public sector with referrals from the Magistrates’ Court and the Supreme Court. Primary social service providers such as the Child Care Board and the Probation Department and the Welfare Department and to a lesser extent the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation are unable to provide these services effectively.”

She continued, “An increased subvention may enhance the services of PAREDOS. They may also be able to increase the professional cost of services or bring on board additional part-time staff or full time psychologists or provide specialised programmes to its constituents such as parenting classes for children of specific ages or parents of specific age groups.”

A total of 14 individuals graduated from the class, which occurred for eight weeks from early June to early August.

Director of PAREDOS, Sheila Stuart, in her overview stated that the Parenting Class will be the lone one offered in 2017. She also said that the registered number of persons for the course was 34, however only 14 individuals completed the required number of modules to graduate.

Stuart indicated that the Class comprised mostly females and members of the group ranged in age from 25 to 60 years old. The topics covered over the period included the various parenting styles in Barbados, “All One Family” – which focused on the many family forms in Barbados – discipline as teaching, how children grow and “Money Matters” – which focused on how to live on a budget.

Natasha Sealy, Dwayne Ifill and Deirde Boyce were the parents who spoke to the audience about their eight-week experience. The trio mainly described the course as an interactive session. They also highlighted participants’ willingness to learn and be open minded to what was shared.