THE National Parenting Support Commission (NPSC) graduated its second cohort of parent mentors during a ceremony held today at the Spanish Court Hotel, New Kingston.

The 18 parent mentors were recruited under the ‘From Street Talk to Real Talk’ campaign, as well as through strategic partnership with the Ministry of National Security under their Citizen Security and Justice Programme (CSJP).

Executive Director of the NPSC, Dr Patrece Charles-Freeman, in her address at the function, noted that the mentors underwent eight weeks of training and practical field-work.

“Already, they have shown their dedication and passion towards helping with effective parenting or making parents aware of how more effective they could be. Already, cohort two has demonstrated their dedication to their communities,” Dr Charles-Freeman said.

She noted that the Parenting Commission will be guided by the programmes that the parenting mentors put forward to be implemented in communities.

Dr Charles-Freeman told the graduates that as parent mentors they will be the face of the NPSC in their communities.

“We expect you to perform at a very high level and standard. You are branded NPSC, you will receive identification cards (IDs) and so if you are not performing and modelling positive parenting, those IDs and pins will be taken from you,” she pointed out.

For his part, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Elbert Nelson noted that if the issue of poor parenting is effectively tackled, many of the social ills in the society will be addressed.

“This is an empowerment programme, and certainly will go a far way… as we seek to intervene in families that are torn apart by crime and violence. If we can nip it in the bud, we can certainly

make a provision for a better tomorrow,” ACP Nelson noted.

A total of 24 parent mentors graduated from the first cohort of the NPSC’s mentorship programme, which is a voluntary initiative designed to provide assistance and support to families at risk or in need.

Established in 2013, the NPSC is the lead agency in the Ministry of Education that interfaces with parents and community stakeholders, and is tasked with providing a framework for supporting parents, and improving parental skills.

— JIS