Ross Sheil, Staff Reporter

With less than six days to go before Christmas, families still have time to provide a home to wards of the state for the festive season, says the Child Development Agency (CDA). The CDA also uses the holiday period to try out children in foster homes.

The holiday placement programme has become an annual campaign for former Public Defender Howard Hamilton, who wanted residents of Jamaica's more than 50 children's homes to have a share of the Christmas experience.

"We have some families just wanting to have children join their family over the Christmas period and, if they have just one child, they take one to accompany (them) and share their resources," said Sydney Grant, CDA western region director.

Families will need to contact their regional office of the CDA and go through the requisite checks.

Looking forward

Maxfield Park Children's Home in St. Andrew, from which Mr. Hamilton hosts two children each year, currently has 12 of its 130 children on holiday placement.

Superintendent of the home, Roxiline Morrison-Spence, said this could double this week before Christmas.

"The children are looking forward to it, especially since their Christmas dinner with the staff, so they are open to possibilities and the thought of Christmas lingers with them!" said Mrs. Morrison-Spence.

Such placements are invaluable in keeping the children as close to family (as is possible) while in care, she explained.

"With the placements we keep the family union alive because we are supposed to release them from institutional life as soon as possible, so it is important that we keep the bond while we take care of them," she said.

Who to contact

Persons interested should contact regional offices of the Child Development Agency:

West: 979-3446

South East: 922-8857

Southern: 962-2558

North East: 992-2212