Speaking over the weekend at the fifth anniversary of the St Georges Home at Grafton, the Consular Section Chief of the Embassy of the United States of America, William H. Douglas espoused on the US decent family life.
Speaking on the theme ‘A decent Family as a Recipe for Attitudinal Change and National Development,’ he said that research have indicated that parents and other caretakers, including child care providers who have resources and support are more likely to provide safe and healthy environments for children.
Mr. Douglas indicated that when children were surrounded by secure relationships and stimulating experiences that can draw from that environment to become confident and caring adults.
Explaining how the US supports family care, he explained that employees of the US Department of State, whether joining the Foreign Service or Civil Service, or as a participant in one of the student programs, the State Department makes every effort to provide resources to ensure a balanced quality of life for every employee and their family members.
Speaking further, he stated that the US Government creates other areas for the Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) which administers the major Federal Programs to support social services that promotes positive growth and development of children, youth and their families; protective services and shelter for children and youth in at-risk situations and also adoption for children with special needs.
“These programs provide financial assistance to States, community-based organizations, and academic institutions to provide services, carry out research and demonstration activities and undertake training, technical assistance, and information dissemination” he said.
Mr. Douglas however said the US has found that child care plays a significant role in the lives of American infants and young children. He also said all child care providers have responsibility to provide a safe, clean, and nurturing environment for children in their care and to support the children’s healthy growth and development. “On the whole, the US Government supports a ’family first’ policy”. He explained how committed the US President Barack Obama is in strengthening fatherhood and families and also support parents with young children.
By Ishmael Bayoh
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