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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
March 31 - April 6, 2012
NATIONAL
autism awareness
Protect our children
By Nicole Cox, a mother living with autism
– Department of Social Development ups call for child safety April has been designated as Child Abuse Prevention Month and the Department of Social Development under the Ministry of Home Affairs and Public Safety is committed to keeping the children of the Turks and Caicos Islands safe, healthy and free from harm. The Department of Social Development’s Director, Annette Joseph, said, “The department seeks to support all parents, caregivers and children through the various services that are offered to individuals, families and communities through the department’s counseling, parenting classes, anger management sessions, and other support services.” She stressed that a report must be made when an individual knows or has reasonable cause to believe
or suspect that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect, as it is critical to get victims of abuse the help he/she needs. Joseph said, “Child abuse is real and exists here in the TCI. However, we can make a tremendous difference in the life of an abused child if we take the necessary steps to stop the abuse early.” Child abuse can take many forms: physical, sexual, emotional, verbal, neglect and abandonment. It leaves lasting scars throughout a child’s life as abuse damages a child’s sense of self and his/her ability to have healthy relationships, to function at home at school or at work. One can report suspicion of abuse to the nearest Police department or to the Department of Social
Development offices on 9462682 in Grand Turk, 946-4016 in Providenciales, 946-3211 in South Caicos and 946-7149, 946-7375 in North Caicos. Preventing child abuse is everyone’s responsibility. The Convention on the Rights of the Child surround the principles that every child needs to be treasured, protected and nurtured. The Department of Social Development, the Police, the Courts and other child protection agencies of the TCI, in playing their role, investigate reports of abuse and provide services to protect children and strengthen families. Help break the cycle of abuse, help us to protect the children of TCI!
Fortis employees complete customer service training course Thirty-seven Fortis TCI Ltd. employees are now graduates of an intense Customer Service Programme after participating in a three- day course developed and facilitated by Barbados Institute of Management and Productivity (BIMAP). The course conducted over the last week set out to enhance customer service skills provided by front line staff and promote successful customer-employee interactions. Ms. Velma Wiltshire, BIMAP Management Counsellor, explained at the start of the programme that her goal was to transform participants into energetic winners in customer service. Wiltshire through role playing
showed partakers the effects of positive customer experiences, being an effective listener, having the right motivation and addressing stress management in the workplace, the importance of consistent communication, and practicing excellent customer service every time internally and externally. She said, “Providing good customer service starts with the employee knowing how to serve their customer’s needs. If you can remember in every interaction that customer is ‘King,’ everyone wins.” The Utility based in Providenciales expressed very early on that in 2012 they will focus on increasing customer relations and communications, having set a goal to
be the leading company in customer service in the Turks and Caicos Islands by 2013. Allan Robinson V.P. of Customer and Corporate Services said, “Our strategic destination is to be the best utility in the Caribbean. The delivery of exceptional customer service is a major benchmark in achieving our strategic objective, and a key cornerstone of our Mission Statement. We will settle for nothing less than to be the leader in customer service in the Turks and Caicos Islands.” The most recent groups taking part comprised of a cross-section of employees including team members from North and Middle Caicos and AEP Ltd. in South Caicos.
Damaged streetlights in Provo to be restored TCIG and Fortis TCI have reached a new agreement this week that will see the restoration of broken streetlights throughout Providenciales. This was according to Acting Governor Patrick Boyle who noted also that the new Streetlight Takeover Agreement will consist of a $150,000 capital Contribution in aid of Construction (CIAC) from TCIG. “Switching back on the Providenciales street lights is a real symbol of the improving financial situation of TCIG. We understand how such straightforward things can improve the quality of life for Turks and Caicos Islanders and the tourist visitor experience,” said Patrick Boyle.
Fortis TCI is expected to fund the additional costs and the contract includes the instillation, refurbishment or replacement, and ongoing maintenance of all street lights in the Utility’s service territory. Boyle said, “As we work towards achieving a financial surplus in financial year 2012/13, resources can be better prioritized into the things that the people of the TCI want money spent on – primary healthcare, schools, roads and causeways.” The Acting Governor maintained that TCIG feels the repairing of streetlights damaged during Hurricane Ike in 2008 along Chalk Sound, Leeward and Grace Bay is a further indication of the improving
financial situation. It will also address safety concerns of the general public for areas not well lit. Fortis TCI’s President and CEO, Eddinton Powell, adding his bit, said, “The agreement reached between Government and Fortis TCI is another milestone and will allow for major improvements to public lighting in all areas of our service territory. The benefits to residents, businesses, and to the tourist industry will be significant. Fortis TCI is proud to partner with TCIG on this important project.” The negotiating teams were led by Devon Cox, Director of T&D Operations & Engineering at Fortis TCI and Norman Watts for TCIG.
Josiah, aged four
April Showers!
Hey everybody! Well, Spring has sprung and I am pumped about it! Since the 1970’s April has been Autism Awareness Month and in specifics April 2 is Autism Awareness DAY! Mark it on your calendars! Wear some blue! Any shade will do (though a lovely sky blue is the preferred hue!). Wear blue all month long if you want! If you don’t have enough blue, swing by Flamingo Pharmacy and Unicorn Bookstore (both located in the IGA Supermarket shopping center on Leeward Highway) and pick up an autism awareness bracelet! It features all the colors of the autism awareness ribbon (red, yellow, blue and teal) and when someone asks why, tell them it’s for autism. If they ask what autism is (and you still are not sure yet) tell them you are just learning yourself. “How am I going to learn about autism in a month, Nicole?” I hear your doubtful tone and I answer with a resounding, “The Internet!” Well for those who are interested here are some of my favorite websites for finding the latest information on autism causes, treatments, resources, lifestyles and the like: http://www.autismspeaks.org/ , http:// centerforautism.com/ , http://www.iloveaba.com/ , http://dawnprogram. blogspot.com/ . We are going to look at these sites over the next few weeks and pull out some important points and chat about them. You do not have to be a clinical physician, behavioral specialist or autism parent to be aware of this disorder. 1 in 70 boys may be on the autism spectrum! So if you think this doesn’t affect you, you are SO mistaken! If you haven’t yet, you will definitely encounter someone on the spectrum in your lifetime, if not several someones! If not you, then doubtless your children will. Therefore, this month will be our crash course in getting some basics under our belts and at least on a casual level (if at all autism can be casual) be able to grasp the implications of this challenge in our neurotypical society. Let’s get drenched in April Showers of Awareness…together!
Environment & District Administration, Maritime Department and DECR merged The Ministry of Environment & District Administration and the Maritime Department have been merged with the Department of Environment & Coastal Resources, according to a statement by the Ministry. The merger, effective last Friday, will see the Maritime Department Providenciales re-located at the Environmental Centre/Department of Environment and Coastal Resources, (across from the Children’s Park),
Lower Bight Road. The Maritime Department on the island of Grand Turk has also been re-located to the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources office, upper floor Ruthann Missick’s building, Church Folly Road. For further information, please contact the Maritime Department Providenciales on #941 5122 or Maritime Department Grand Turk on #946 2801 ext. 41515.