Special Needs Centre for Portland
FAMILIES of children with special needs in eastern Jamaica will soon have access to a state-of-the-art, fully equipped Early Intervention Centre in Portland, under the Early Stimulation Programme (ESP).
Executive Director of the ESP Antonica Gunter-Gayle was close to tears at the recent official ground-breaking for the centre as she marvelled at the journey of the ESP in the parish from when they operated from a small space in Buff Bay.
“I am so happy and overwhelmed about this development. This will provide a productive learning environment for the children with special needs and their families in this area,” she said.
The centre, which will accommodate more than 100 children with special needs, is being built by the Digicel Foundation in Low Leyton, Orange Bay, Portland. Minister of Labour and Social Security Derrick Kellier described this development as crucial to the protection, upliftment and empowerment of vulnerable persons, such as children with special needs.
“Children with developmental disabilities — more than their able-bodied counterparts — need and receive our assistance and support simply because of the diversity of their needs. I am pleased, therefore, that a progressive company such as Digicel Jamaica — through the Digicel Foundation — is rallying to the cause of persons with disabilities and generously contributing to their development and integration in society,” he said.
The new centre will facilitate diagnosis and early intervention for children with special needs, with skills provided by 10 teachers specially trained for the task. According to Chief Executive Officer of Digicel Foundation Samantha Chantrelle, training for the teachers began earlier this year and included five disciplines: speech, behaviour, physical, special education and occupational therapy.
Member of Parliament for West Portland Daryl Vaz said he is planning to work closely with the Digicel Foundation to ensure that the project achieves its full potential.
The ESP is administered by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and caters to children, from birth to six years, with special needs. The Digicel Foundation has previously collaborated with the ESP to implement the STIM-PLUS Early Childhood Development Centre, a fully equipped facility with specialised equipment to enhance learning and development. Digicel Foundation through its Centres of Excellence has been providing support to the ESP through infrastructure development, provision of equipment and staff training.