Since the 1960s, the youth portfolio has been a part of at least eight ministries including being twinned with Education and Culture, and Community Development twice in the 1990s. One result of this frequent movement is a loss of institutional memory and uncertainty among those working with youth. In 2000, the NCYD was launched as Jamaica’s first youth development secretariat. Its mandate includes coordinating, planning and monitoring youth development nationally. The NCYD plays a limited service delivery role but works closely with other government agencies – NYS, Human Empowerment and Resource Training/National Training Agency (HEART/NTA) and the SDC - to implement programmes. These organisations have field offices and staff, and in the case of the SDC and HEART/NTA, a national network of institutions that is used to implement programmes. Implementation is further enhanced through partnerships with a vibrant and effective network of community organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international funding agencies. Cabinet has given its approval for the Children’s Services Division, the Adoption Board and the Child Support Unit of the Ministry of Health to be merged and converted into an executive agency, the Child Development Agency (CDA). The CDA is the sole body in Jamaica responsible for child welfare service delivery and programme development. It will consequently provide leadership to the process of implementing the National Policy on Children and facilitate the development of the National Plan of Action for Children. It is further expected that the CDA will bring about improvement in the planning, decision-making processes and intervention strategies relating to children coming into the care of the State; ensure the provision of quality care for children in facilities of care and protection; facilitate the protection of the nation’s children and develop programmes to support its mission and values. There is an overlap between youth (15-24) and childhood (0-18) during the period of adolescence (15-18). It is therefore critical for the NCYD to establish and strengthen strategic alliances, especially with the Child Development Agency. This partnership will facilitate increased dialogue and improved coordination.
Draft National Youth Policy Page 20 of 43 9/8/03