Laptop computers and tablets valued at approximately J$14 million dollars were recently handed over to the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) by the Transformation Implementation Unit (TIU) under the public sector transformation programme. The batch of equipment is geared at enhancing the ICT capacity of the CPFSA to better serve the needs of its clients and includes 35 tablets and 56 laptops to support its field service team islandwide. As the Agency continues to bolster its field services operations, an additional 71 desktop computers will be delivered next month to replace old machines. This will enable officers to function more efficiently and effectively.

The need for computers and tablets was highlighted in a recent report which assessed the ICT infrastructure of the Agency. Chief Executive Officer of the CPFSA, Mrs Rosalee Gage-Grey noted that the ICT needs of the organisation are great and will be addressed as part of the Agency’s recently developed ICT Strategic Plan.“We are building the capacity of the Agency to better serve the needs of children and families in need of oursupport. As part of the modernisation plan, we will be putting in networks, replacing outdated computers and improving the communication capabilities in the organisation and with our multi-agency partners,” Mrs Gage-Grey emphasised.

In the meantime, Executive Director of the TIU, Ms Maria Thompson Walters observed that the project at the CPFSA is designed to assist in the modernisation of the Agency’s operations using ICT as a key enabler to achieve its goals and objectives. The project also includes auxiliary support for other key areas of the Agency to allow it to have a greater impact on the children served and the society in general, such as an enhanced therapeutic environment for children to include those with special needs and to increase the reach of psychology screening and intervention programmes.