ST JAMES, Jamaica (JIS) – Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Floyd Green, says he will be holding talks with the Registrar General’s Department (RGD) to expedite the processing of birth certificates for children in State care.

He noted that the documents are required for children to attend school and access other services, and to also facilitate overseas travel.

“One of the things that came out of our first regional meeting is this issue with birth certificates.  It is much too hard for our children in State care to get these documents. I am going to be meeting with the Head of the RGD as it must be that special accommodation should be made for our children,” he said.

The state minister was addressing the second of three regional meetings with foster-parents from western Jamaica, held on Thursday, at the West Jamaica Seventh-day Adventist Conference Centre in Mount Salem, St James. The meetings are organised by the Child Development Agency (CDA).

Green indicated that discussions would also be held with the Ministry of Health to put special arrangements in place for children who need healthcare.

“I have already met with the CDA and will be meeting with the insurance providers, as this is something that we will have to see how we can find some resolution to. I have heard of the problems and I know that this would make your life much easier for those of you who have health insurance and for your foster-child/children to be placed on that insurance,” he pointed out.

He told foster-parents that he is aware of their need for additional support in the general welfare and upkeep of the children in their care and promised that this would be addressed soon.

“I know that the financial support that you receive is nowhere near sufficient and as a government, we are going to be taking steps in the next financial cycle to increase that subvention. I will also be looking at what we can do from the ministry to try and ease some of the burdens you all have to bear. As of this year, we have increased the back-to-school assistance by some $12,000, which will go a far way in reducing some of the burdens on you as foster-parents,” he noted.

He urged the foster-parents to continue to provide care and support for the nation’s most vulnerable children.