Ministry, CCB say situation with adults living amongst children in state facility being examined

Adults in their 30s are still living in the Nightengale’s Children’s Village in Black Rock because they have no where else to go and the Child Care Board (CCB) is very concerned about the state of affairs.

Speaking during the launch of the inaugural Child Abuse Awareness Month at the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Warrens Office Complex on Monday, CCB Deputy Chairman Dr Carol Jacobs said the issue was a major concern for the board.

“We have several people in their 30’s in the Nightengale home with children and that is really a major concern for us at the Child Care Board and there doesn’t seem to be anywhere currently where they can go for management and care. So, I just wanted to put that on the table,” Dr Jacobs said.

Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Kirk Humphrey, also speaking at the event, said the issue raised by Dr Jacobs is one which the ministry is currently examining.

He said there were discussions regarding the possibility of using the facilities at Sterling Children’s Home, St Philip to accommodate adults with disabilities, to prevent young adults with disabilities from having to live on the streets. He drew attention to the story of a couple living in the City streets and recently.

Humphrey explained that some of the adults at residential homes managed by the CCB suffer with mental disabilities which cause them to function as children in developed bodies.

“You might have a case where an adult is exposing themself in front of children if you had them in the same facility. We have to get a facility for adults with disabilities. I mean, the Child Care Board is doing the best it can with what it has, but what we have now is definitely not the best. I have seen it myself when I visited the home. You have adults there with children and that in any circumstance has challenges. It is not the appropriate situation,” he said.

Minister Humphrey added: “It is regrettable that there is almost a direct relationship in Barbados between a disability and poverty, between a disability and abuse, between some form of disability whether it be physical and mental and homelessness. It is staggering and it is unfortunate, it is not something that we should be proud of. But I think we have to name it, shame it, and fix it.

“We were there [Nightengale] a few weeks ago, I went on a tour. And there were some children there, who were there when I went there, and they are still there. One recognized me. We have to do better and I am hopeful that we will be able to do better in the next few years. But it is really a challenge.”
anestahenry@barbadostoday.bb