Departments – Page 2 – Ministry of Labour and Social Security

20 Nov

By: Imran Allie 0

PATH

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PROGRAMME OF ADVANCEMENT THROUGH HEALTH AND EDUCATION (PATH)

The Government of Jamaica in focusing its efforts on advancing social development initiated a programme of safety net reform in 2000. As part of the reforms, the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) was introduced as a Conditional Cash Transfer programme targeting vulnerable households within the population.

The objectives of the Programme are to:

Increase educational attainment and improve health outcomes of the poor by breaking the inter-generational cycle of poverty.

Alleviate poverty by increasing the value of transfer to the poor.

Reduce child labour by requiring children to have minimum attendance in school.

Serve as a safety net by preventing families from falling further into poverty in the event of adverse shock.

Since its launch in 2002, the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH), administered by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS), has become Jamaica’s flagship social assistance programme, currently providing cash grants to approximately 350,000 beneficiaries.

The programme is supported by loans from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

PATH Eligibility Criteria

PATH applicants are invited to visit the Ministry of Labour and Social Security’s office in their parish of residence to complete the application process. The process may also be undertaken at designated centres, communities or within homes of the elderly or persons with disabilities.

Demographic and other socio-economic data are collected on individual family members and the information entered into the Beneficiary Identification System (BIS). The BIS applies a Proxy Means Test to derive the family’s score. Families that have attained a score which is at or below the cut-off point established for the Programme are provisionally selected to participate. Final selection is subject to verification of the information provided during the application interview process.

Benefits are delivered to families for a period of four years, after which they are required to re-apply and be reassessed for continued eligibility.

Documents Required for Application Processing

Birth Certificates for the Family Head
Valid ID for the Family Head

TRN for the Family Head
Birth Certificates for all children living in the household
Birth Certificate for Adults 60 and over who live in the household

PATH Benefit Categories

Individuals within the following categories may be selected for payment within beneficiary families:

1. Children: from birth to the completion of secondary school
2. Pregnant and lactating women: Members of the family, who are pregnant or who have not passed 6 months since the birth of the last child.
3. Elderly:Members of the family who are 60 years or more.
4. Persons with Disabilities:Family members who have been certified by a doctor or by the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities as having a permanent disability.
5. Adult Poor:The head of a family consisting only of persons who are over the age of 18 but under 60 years may be selected to receive a benefit.

PATH Compliance Conditionalities

Delivery of cash grants is conditioned on compliance with established developmental conditionalities: school-age children (6 years and over) are required to maintain an attendance rate of not less than 85%, while children under six years are required to comply with the schedule of preventive health visits established by the Ministry of Health.

Payment Delivery and Mechanism

Payments are delivered to qualified and compliant beneficiaries in six bi-monthly cycles each year, occurring on or before the 15th of February, April, June, August, October and December. A range of delivery mechanisms are employed:

1. 1. Payment by cheques, which are collected directly from Post Offices in their communities
  2. Payment through NCB Keycard Cash, which allows beneficiaries to access cash through the ATM Multilink network or to conduct Point of Sale transactions with participating merchants
  3. Electronic transfers provided by the two major remittance service providers.

PATH is currently exploring Mobile Money and direct funds transfers as alternative payment options.

PATH Affiliated Interventions

Since the inception of PATH a number of supporting interventions/sub-programmes have been implemented in response to beneficiary needs. The following is a summary of the major existing initiatives, which can be accessed through the Ministry’s network of Parish Offices:

Post-Secondary (Education) Grants

Implemented in 2012, Post-Secondary Grants are available as one-time incentive for students who are registered members of PATH households, and who are enrolled in approved Post-Secondary educational institutions including HEART Trust/NTA. Benefits range in value from $15,000.00 for beneficiaries re-sitting CSEC examinations, to $30,000.00 for those pursuing Associate Degree programmes. The benefit is paid to the Family Representative of the student’s household. Eligibility is restricted to persons who had received at least one PATH benefit payment while in Secondary School.

Tertiary (Education) Bursaries

The Tertiary Bursaries initiative was implemented in 2013 to assist beneficiary students with the cost of pursuing Bachelor’s Degree programmes in accredited Tertiary Institutions.

Available to students in PATH households who are attending tertiary level institutions (Universities and Teachers’ Colleges). Bursaries valued at $100,000.00 are paid directly to participating institutions who manage the application process on behalf of PATH. The bursary may be accessed each year of study; this is however conditioned on maintenance of a 2.5 GPA for 2nd through 4th year.

Eligibility is restricted to persons who had received at least one PATH benefit payment while in Secondary School.

20 Nov

By: Imran Allie 0

National Insurance Fund

Our Mission

‘To prudently manage the investment portfolio of the National Insurance Fund to maximize returns on investment within acceptable risk levels and maintain a level of liquidity to facilitate timely payment of National Insurance Scheme benefits’

Our Vision

‘To become a model agency/ entity for the management of pension funds within the Caribbean’.

Mandate

The Mandate of the Fund is to manage the investment portfolio in a manner that maximises returns on investments so as to provide pensions and other benefits to eligible persons registered under the NIF

The National Insurance Fund (NIF) is funded by contributions paid to the National Insurance Scheme. The contributions are invested by the National Insurance Fund (NIF). Pensions and other benefits eligible under the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) are paid from this Fund.

Through regular actuarial reviews in keeping with The National Insurance Act, a detailed assessment of NIS contribution rate is required for the sustainability of the National Insurance Fund (NIF). Additionally, strengthening the viability of the NIF through appropriate and prudent financing options is therefore of paramount importance.

The strategic outcomes of the Social Security Division of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security include increased compliance with the National Insurance Scheme and a prudently managed National Insurance Fund which will ensure long term sustainability and the provision of improved benefits.

The National Insurance Board was established as Advisory Board on April 1, 1990. The current Board was appointed in Board members are appointed by the Minister with responsibility for Labour and Social Security in April 2016 for a period of two years. The Board provides the management of the diversification of the investments of the National Insurance Fund.

The Board comprises 16 members with experience in banking, investment, finance, legal affairs, real estate and the social sector. The Sub-Committees of The Board are, Investment Audit and Real Estate. Other Boards within the NIF include The NIF Resort Management Board and Cleaveland Resort Board.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BOARD

The responsibilities of the Board include:

Ensuring the proper financial administration of the National Insurance Fund.
The adoption of a positive and vigorous investment policy to maximise returns on investment of the Fund.

The diversification of asset holdings.
The protection of the integrity of the fund.
Good financial management by the financial statements, which are audited annually.

The Fund now has a varied portfolio mix as follows:

Money market instruments – GOJ local registered stock (LRS), investment debentures, foreign currency bonds and deposits, GOJ land and infrastructure bonds, short-term money market investments

Equities – listed shares, unlisted shares and unit trusts.
Real estate – commercial, resort, residential properties.

The Board works closely with the National Investment Secretariat, a Department within the Ministry of Labour and Social Security in making recommendations to the Minister of Finance and Planning, who has ultimate financial responsibility for the NIF under the National Insurance Act. The Board includes a representative from the Ministry of Finance

20 Nov

By: Imran Allie 0

National Insurance Scheme

The National Insurance Scheme (NIS) is a compulsory contributory funded social security scheme covering all employed persons in Jamaica. It is administered under the National Insurance Act and offers some financial protection to the worker and his or her family against loss of income arising from injury on the job, sickness, retirement and/or death of the bread winner.

Who is Covered by the Scheme?

All persons between the ages of 18 and 70 who are gainfully occupied in insurable employment are required to be registered with the NIS. The insurable population includes employed persons, self employed persons and voluntary contributors.

Employed Persons

Employed persons are those who work in a business, not their own. This category includes factory workers; private household workers such as butlers, chauffeurs, cooks, gardeners, general helpers, housekeepers and nurse-maids; and all other employed persons including civil servants, teachers, nurses and members of the security forces.

Self Employed Persons

Self employed persons are those who work independently in their own business. Included in this category are doctors, lawyers, accountants, consultants, vendors, Informal Commercial Importers, dressmakers, tailors, hairdressers, barbers, fisher folk, farmers and Jamaican nationals employed in foreign embassies in Jamaica. A total contribution of 5% of gross salary (up to the maximum insurable wage ceiling defined by the NIS) is to be remitted annually using the stamp card and income tax return.

Voluntary Contributors

These are persons who do not contribute as employed or self employed and/or are no longer liable to contribute because (i) they have retired from full time employment before reaching the retirement age, (ii) they have relocated to another country (with which Jamaica does not have a Reciprocal Social Security Agreement) for an indefinite period, and (iii) they have become unemployed. They however wish to continue contributing to the NIS. Approval must be sought through (a) the completion of the Voluntary Contributor Application Form and (b) its submission to the nearest Parish Office.

What Role do I Play?

Employer

Registration: Employers are required to register his or her business under the NIS. A NIS reference number will be assigned and should be used in all matters relating to the NIS. Similarly, each employer should ensure that his or her employees are registered with the NIS.

SO 1 Form: This is the Employer’s Monthly Statutory Remittance Payroll Deduction form. Employers are required to complete this form when submitting statutory deductions on behalf of their employees. For NIS contributions, employers are to deduct 2.5% from the gross salary of each employee, up to the maximum wage ceiling defined by the NIS. These sums are to be matched by the employers and contributions remitted to Tax Administration Jamaica as required. It is to be noted that 1% of these contributions are for the National Health Fund.

Stamp Card: This card is used to make contributions to the NIS. It is used by persons classified as self employed, voluntary contributors and domestic workers in private households. This card is available at every NIS office and is valid for one financial year (April to March). NIS stamps can be purchased at Post Offices island-wide. They are to be affixed to the card, one stamp for each week, and the completed card is to be surrendered immediately after the end of the financial year.

SO 2 Form: This is the Employer’s Annual Return Form. It provides detailed information on all the employee payroll deductions made by the employer for all statutory deductions (NIS, National Housing Trust, Education Tax and Income Tax). All employers are required to complete and submit this form to Tax Administration Jamaica or the National Housing Trust.

Certificate of Pay and Contributions Deducted (C7): This form shows the gross salary, the number of weeks worked, total contributions from the individual employee and employer during the year. It is to be completed by employers and given to each employee at the end of the year.

Employee

Registration: Each person is required to register under the NIS on attaining the age of eighteen (18). This is done by completing and submitting an Application for National Insurance Number along with proof of age (birth certificate, passport) to the Parish Office. In turn, a registration card is issued showing the applicant’s NIS number and name. Ensure that the correct NIS number is used on all relevant documents at the workplace and also when conducting transactions with NIS offices.

Contributions: A total of 2.5% of gross salary, up to the maximum insurable wage ceiling defined by the NIS, is to be deducted by your employer. This amount is to be matched by your employer and the total submitted to Tax Administration Jamaica. Each employee may contact any NIS Parish Office at least once per year to ensure that the employer has remitted the contributions deducted and submitted the Annual Returns.

What Happens to NIS Contributions?

Contributions paid to the NIS are invested by the National Insurance Fund (NIF) in real estate, money and equity markets. NIS benefits and administrative expenses are paid from these funds. The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has responsibility for the collection of contributions and the administration of benefits under the Scheme.

Types of Benefits

A number of benefits are administered under the NIS. In order to qualify for any of these benefits the relevant conditions must be satisfied. These benefits are paid in the form of a pension or a grant. They are payable on a long or short-term basis.

Maternity Allowance: This benefit is payable to a Domestic Worker who has satisfied the qualifying conditions. The benefit is payable as a lump sum equal to eight weeks at the existing National Minimum Wage.

Special Child Benefit: This benefit is payable to the guardian of a child or children under the age of 18 whose mother is now deceased and the father’s whereabouts is unknown. The mother’s contribution is used to determine qualification for this benefit.

Orphan Benefit: This benefit is payable to the guardian of a child or children under the age of 18 whose parents were married or in an established common law relationship, and are now deceased. The contribution of either parent is used to determine qualification for this benefit.

Empl on the job oyment Injury Benefit: This benefit is payable where an employee has sustained an injury caused by an accident, arising out of and in the course of insurable employment, or the development of any of the diseases prescribed by the National Insurance Act which can be attributed to the nature of the job.

Employment Injury Disablement Benefit: This benefit is payable at the end of the Employment Injury period, where a disability assessment in excess of 10% has been diagnosed by the Medical Board of the NIS.

Employment Injury Death Benefit: This benefit is payable upon the death of an employee as a result of an accident arising out of and in course of insurable employment, or from any of the diseases prescribed by the National Insurance Act which can be attributed to the nature of the job.

Invalidity Benefit: This benefit is payable to a contributor who has satisfied the contribution conditions and has been diagnosed with a permanent medical condition that renders him/her incapable of work for a continuous period of at least twenty-six (26) weeks. On attaining the retirement age, this benefit will be converted to a retirement pension.

Retirement Pension: The contributor must attain the retirement age defined by the National Insurance Act and satisfy the contribution requirements. This benefit is payable during the life of the pensioner.

Spouse Allowance: This benefit is only payable to a pensioner whose spouse is not in receipt of a benefit under the NIS nor will become eligible for a benefit. It is not a separate pension, but is payable as an additional sum to a pensioner who has satisfied the requirement for this allowance.

Widow’s/Widower’s Benefit: This benefit is payable to the spouse of a deceased NIS contributor or pensioner. The payment of this benefit can be either for the short-term (one year or more) or long-term (for the life of the beneficiary) depending on the qualifying conditions.

Special Anniversary: This benefit is payable to persons who were born before January 1, 1908 and were not eligible to contribute to the NIS on the basis of their age at the inception of the scheme in 1966.

Funeral Grant: This benefit is payable upon the death of (i) a NIS pensioner or his/her spouse: or, (ii) a NIS contributor who has satisfied the required contribution conditions or his/her spouse; or, (iii) an employee whose death was as a result of injuries sustained in insurable employment.

Grant: A grant is a one-time payment and is awarded when the contribution conditions for a pension are not satisfied. Grants are payable in the categories of retirement, widow’s/widower’s, special child, orphan and invalidity.

NI Gold: This is a health insurance plan which provides comprehensive medical coverage for all NIS pensioners. Once a pension is awarded the pensioner automatically qualifies for coverage under this plan. No premium is paid by the pensioner to access this benefit.

How are Benefits Claimed?

All claims or applications are to be made on the prescribed National Insurance Claim Form and submitted with the relevant supporting documents within the required time frame. All forms are available free of cost at our offices island wide and online.

National Insurance Clearance Letter Requirements

National Insurance Clearance Letter Requirements

Employer/Business

Stamped copy/ies of National Insurance Annual Returns(s) for previous year(s)
Receipt(s) for past year(s)
Current National Insurance Receipt(s) from Inland Revenue Department.
National Insurance Remittance Card (Payment Card)
Employer’s Registration Form (N.B. New Business, Duplicate)
Original and Photocopy of Certificate of Incorporation (New Business)

Self-employed/Individual

National Insurance Number (Pink Card)
Current Stamp Card with National Insurance Stamps affixed
Assessed Copy of personal Income Tax Return(s)
Passport/Birth Certificate
Receipt(s) for Stamps Card(s) surrendered for previous year(s)
Current pay-slip(s) and letter from employer confirming employment if also employed
Letter signed by Justice of the Peace certifying unemployment status
Documents for item(s) to be cleared.

National Insurance Contributions

The contributions rate has increased from 5% to 5.5% effective April 1, 2019 and will be increased from 5.5% to 6% effective April 1, 2020.

Of the 5.5% as of April 2019, 2.75% is to be deducted from the employee’s salary and matched by the employer.
Self-employed persons are to contribute the full 5.5%
Of the 6% as at April 2020, 3% is to be deducted from the employee gross salary and matched by the employers. Self-employed persons are to contribute the full 6% as at April 2020.

Effective April 2019, with a contribution rate of 5% for January to March 2019 and 5.5% for April to December 2019, the Maximum contribution for 2019 will be $80,625. The Contribution Ceiling Breakdown is as follows:

January 2019 - March 2019 (5%)

	Maximum Salary	Employee Contribution	Employer Contribution	Total Contribution
Weekly:	$28,846.00	$721.15	$721.15	$1,442.30
Fortnightly:	$57,692.00	$1,442.30	$1,442.30	$2,884.60
Monthly:	$125,000.00	$3,125.00	$3,125.00	$6,250.00

April 2019 - December 2019 (5.5%)

	Maximum Salary	Employee Contribution	Employer Contribution	Total Contribution
Weekly:	$28,846.00	$793.27	$793.27	$1,586.54
Fortnightly:	$57,692.00	$1,586.53	$1,586.53	$3,173.06
Monthly:	$125,000.00	$3,437.50	$3,437.50	$6,875.00

Effective April 2020, with a contribution rate of 5.5% for January to March 2020 and 6% for April to December 2019, the Maximum contribution for 2020 will be $88,125. The Contribution Ceiling Breakdown is as follows:

January 2020 - March 2020 (5.5%)

	Maximum Salary	Employee Contribution	Employer Contribution	Total Contribution
Weekly:	$28,846.00	$793.27	$793.27	$1,586.54
Fortnightly:	$57,692.00	$1,586.53	$1,586.53	$3,173.06
Monthly:	$125,000.00	$3,437.50	$3,437.50	$6,875.00

April 2020 - December 2020 (6%)

	Maximum Salary	Employee Contribution	Employer Contribution	Total Contribution
Weekly:	$28,846.00	$865.38	$865.38	$1730.76
Fortnightly:	$57,692.00	$1,730.76	$1,730.76	$3,461.52
Monthly:	$125,000.00	$3,750.00	$3,750.00	$7,500.00

The contribution rate for Domestic Workers, Voluntary Contributors and Self-Employed Persons will be increased from $100 to $150 per week with effect from January 1, 2019, from $150 to $200 per week with effect from January 1, 2020 and from $200 to $250 per week with effect from January 1, 2021.

PHASED INCREASE In Contribution To The National Insurance Scheme

PARTICULARS	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022
Minimum Contribution	$100 per week	January: $150 per week	January: $200 per week	January: $250 per week	To be determined in 2021
Contribution Rate	5%	April: 5.5%	April: 6%	April: 6% (no change)	April: 6% (no change)
Insurance Wage Ceiling Per Annum	$1.5 Million	$1.5 Million (no change)	$1.5 Million (no change)	April: $3 Million	April: $5 Million

Total Stamp Card amount are as follows:

April 2018-March 2019 Total Weeks Total Contributions

April 2, 2018 – December 31, 2018 @ $100 weekly 40 Weeks $4,000

January 7, 2019 – March 25, 2019 @150 weekly 12 Weeks $1,800

$5,800

January 2019 – December 2019 Total Weeks Total Contributions

January 7, 2019 – December 30, 2019 @ 150 weekly 52 Weeks $7,800

January 2020 – December 2020 Total Weeks Total Contributions

January 6, 2020 – December 28, 2020 @ 200 weekly 52 Weeks $10,400

January 2021 – December 2021 Total Weeks Total Contributions

January 4, 2021 – December 27, 2021 @ 250 weekly 52 Weeks $13,000

National Insurance Scheme Benefits

The following NI Gold Benefit Levels have been increased with effect from June 1, 2023.

Benefit	Current Levels ($)	Recommended Increased Levels ($)
Hospitalization
Daily Room and Board (per night)	$800.00	$1,000.00
Hospital Miscellaneous Expenses	$6,000.00	$8,000.00
Hospital Out-Patient Expenses	$2,000.00	$5,000.00
Surgical
Surgeon’s Fee	$30,000.00	$50,000.00
- Co-pay	$1,000.00	$2,000.00
Assistant Surgeon’s Fee or Anesthetists Fee	$12,000.00	$20,000.00
- Co-pay	$500.00	$1,000.00
Doctor’s Visits
Office, Home (Emergency Only), In- Hospital	$500.00	$1,000.00
Consultant’s Fee (on referral)	$1,000.00	$2,000.00
Diagnostic Procedures
Lab, X-ray, ECG/EKG etc. (per annum)	$4,000.00	$8,000.00
Prescribed Drugs (per annum)	$5,000.00	$7,000.00
- Co-pay	$10%	10%
Dental and Optical (per annum)	$3,000.00	$8,000.00
- Co-pay	10%	10%

The following National Insurance Scheme (NIS) benefits have been increased.

Benefit	PRESENT RATE/AMOUNT	INCREASED RATE/AMOUNT
Old Age, Widows, Widowers, Invalidity, Sugar Workers Pensions	Full Rate - $3,400 per week ¾ Rate - $2,550 per week ½ Rate - $1,700	Full Rate - $4,200 per week ¾ Rate - $3,500 per week ½ Rate - $3,000 Effective Date: April 1, 2023
Old Age, Widows, Widowers, Invalidity Grants	$50,000	$60,000 Effective Date: April 1, 2023
Special Child and Orphan Pension	$4,900 per week	$60,000 Effective Date: April 1, 2023
Special Child and Orphan Grant	$55,000	$75,000 Effective Date: April 1, 2023
Employment Injury Benefit, Employment Injury Disablement, Employment Injury Death	$3,200 per week	$4,200 per week Effective Date: April 1, 2023
Maternity Allowance	$9,000 per week	$13,000 per week Effective Date: June 1, 2023

Type of Grant	Previous Grant	New Grant
Funeral Grant	$90,000	$150,000 Effective Date: April 1, 2023

Download NIS Forms

National Insurance Scheme Act and Regulation

Click on the documents below to read:

20 Nov

By: Imran Allie 0

Jamaica Productivity Centre

About Us

The Jamaica Productivity Centre (JPC) is the National Organization responsible for promoting and facilitating productivity improvement in Jamaica. JPC is a tripartite organization comprising the Government of Jamaica (GOJ), the Jamaica Employers’ Federation (JEF) and the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU). This partnership reinforces the principles that growth in the national economy can best be achieved with the alliance and full cooperation of government, employers and workers.

Vision

To be the Centre of Excellence which drives productivity improvement towards sustained global competitiveness for the wellbeing of individuals, organizations and industries in Jamaica.

Our Mission

To provide customized, high impact, innovative productivity solutions for sustained individual and organizational growth.

Our Services

Public Education & Awareness
Research and Measurement
Capacity Building through technical assistance and training.
Benchmarking for competitiveness and best practices.

ARTICLES

NEWSLETTER

Photo Gallery

16 Nov

By: cirkamlssadmin 0

Social Intervention Programme

The Social Intervention Programme (SIP) consists of two (2) activities:

(1) Special Employment Programme

(2) Education and Entrepreneurship Grants Programme.

These initiatives offer beneficiaries assistance through employment and an education and entrepreneurship grant to foster greater levels of independence.

The Employment Programme offers youths within the age cohort 18 – 35 years old the possibility of employment, while the Education and Entrepreneurship Grants Programme targets ‘at risk’ youths 16 – 40 years of age.

Special Employment Pogramme

Special Employment Programme – Through this programme, the Ministry partnered with various private sector organizations to create decent and productive employment. These young unattached youth, aged between 18 – 35 years are employed for a period of six (6) months, with the Ministry and the employers sharing the payment of salaries.

Programme Objectives

To introduce individuals to the world of work and equip them with marketable skills for long-term employment.

To promote economic opportunities and employment for vulnerable (unemployed, underemployed) groups.

Major Functions:

Facilitate short to medium term employment

Facilitate training (employability skills)
Facilitate payments to participants island-wide
Interface with employers and parish offices island-wide for placement opportunities

Education and Entrepreneurship Grants Programme

Education and Entrepreneurship Grants Programme – This intervention will enable youth aged between 16 – 40 years to pursue further education and training or be engaged in entrepreneurial activities. The Ministry intends to continue to provide this type of support to our youth as part of a comprehensive social intervention programme in collaboration with the Employment Programme.

Programme Objectives

Strengthen education and training opportunities for vulnerable and unattached youths;
Provide grants and technical support for entrepreneurship ventures and educational training;

Major Functions:

Facilitate grants for education and entrepreneurship purposes
Conduct field visits
Facilitate payments to educational institutions and business enterprises
Facilitate training work-shops (entrepreneurship)
Monitor grant recipients regarding the performance of their social responsibility

Social Worker and student at the Stimulation Plus facility in Kingston beaming with joy

16 Nov

By: cirkamlssadmin 0

Early Stimulation Programme

The Early Stimulation Programme (ESP) is an early intervention programme for young children (0-6 years) with various types of developmental disabilities. The Programme commenced operation in 1975 as a project, but subsequently became integrated into one of the Ministry’s social programmes. Since its inception in 1975, the Programme has benefited well over twenty thousand children with various types of disabilities across the island.

Among the disabilities managed by this programme are cerebral palsy and other physical disabilities ranging from sensory impairment, autism, down’s syndrome, developmental delay, secondary to psychosocial deprivation and co-morbid behavioural problems; including attention deficit, hyperactivity disorder also known as (ADHD).

Children are referred to the programme by health care workers, educators, social workers, parents and other agencies serving young children. The assessment process includes a comprehensive history taking of social, medical and developmental history; the administration of developmental screening tests to comprehensively identify potential developmental problems; medical examination to identify potential neurological and sensory deficits. Once a developmental delay is identified, an individual intervention programme is designed for each child. Consultation is held with parents to define roles and to ensure parent participation in the process.

Social Workers at the Stimulation Plus aiding the development of children with disabilities

Services

Some of the services offered include:

Developmental Assessment, special early childhood education/community based intervention within the homes, schools, day care centres and other institutions.
Parents/staff training and public education on matters regarding disabilities.
Full time physiotherapy and part time speech therapy for children with speech impairment.
Counselling and support for families/caregivers who have difficulties coping with the challenges of their children’s disability along with support groups.

Operations

The Early Stimulation Programme operates from (4) four centres, (2) two in the KSAC Metropolitan Region, (1) one in Portland and (1) one in St. James; however, children are seen from all across the island. The programme has grown immensely over the past decade, as the number of clientele has increased significantly. Each year an array of sixty (60) children with special needs transition to the regular or special education school system.

The Early Stimulation Programme has benefited from local and international partnerships and is currently the only fully publicly funded service for young children with disability as well as their families. The main objective of the programme is to assist children who are often times disregarded by society to develop mentally, socially, physically and to reach their maximum potential.

Contact information

Head Office

95 Hanover Street

Kingston

922-5585

Stimulation Child Development Centre

Michael Manley Blvd

1A Ostend Close

Kingston

930-8429

Low Layton District

Orange Bay

Portland

941-0786

Randolf Lopez Building

Guinep Way

Catherine Hall

St. James

475-0345

16 Nov

By: cirkamlssadmin 0

National Council for Senior Citizens

The National Council for Senior Citizens works in collaboration with local and international organizations and other stakeholders to effect the National Policy for Senior Citizens through programmes and initiatives on behalf of all persons 60 years and older.

Green Paper National Policy for Senior Citizens – Click to read

National Policy for Senior Citizens – Click to read

Senior Citizens Identification Card Application Form

Senior Citizens Sports Medical Form – Click to read

List of Services

Senior Citizens Identification Card

A national ID card issued only to persons 60 years and older free of charge. It serves as a valid ID and can be used to access concessionary fares on JUTC buses, the Metro Bus Service and discounts at various businesses. Valid proof of age is required.

Computer Classes

Computer Classes are offered to senior citizens (60 years and older) free of charge at the NCSC Secretariat and at various Parish Libraries across the island. Candidates must register with the NCSC to access services.

Home Help

Senior citizens are visited by Nurse Aides and volunteers who assist with health, personal and domestic needs. Nurse Aides currently operate in Kingston, St Andrew and St Catherine. Volunteers assist in rural parishes.

Meals on Wheels (Feeding Programme)

Cooked meals are provided on week days and food packages on public holidays for the elderly shut-in in the Corporate Area. Elderly persons are accepted to the programme based on their needs/vulnerabilities

Skills Training

The Council conducts Handicraft, Culinary, Horticulture and Agricultural workshops where skills are taught, developed and exchanged in an intergenerational setting.

Exercise/Dance Class

Register to become a member of the Recycled Teenagers Dance Group and keep fit and happy.

Referrals

The Council through its referral service assists senior citizens to obtain the appropriate services and/or information required in the public and private sector. The Council also advocates on behalf of senior citizens of various issues of importance.

Senior Day Activity Centres

The Council operates Activity Centres for seniors to socialize with their peers and participate in various health, educational or recreational activities between the hours of 10:00 am and 4:00 pm on weekdays. Dependent seniors must be accompanied by a nurse or caregiver.

Retirement Planning Education

The Council assists groups, institutions and businesses with retirement planning workshops for members of staff

Activities

Senior Citizens Sports – held at the parish, regional and national level. Seniors participate in track and field events and novelty games
Intergenerational Debating Competitions – Seniors match wits with student at primary, secondary and tertiary levels in arguments on age-related issues.
Domino Tournament – held at parish, regional and national levels
Cultural Days –allow senior citizens to express and share Jamaican culture with the younger generation.
Centenarians Registry

Persons 100 years and older are recognized and awarded for their contribution to national development. Contact the Council for details.

National Senior Spelling Bee Competition

Fourteen (14) parish champions vie for the national championship each year.

National Senior Bible Quiz Competition

Fourteen (14) parish teams compete for the national trophy and enviable prizes each year

Senior Citizens Week

Senior Citizens month is observed in September with the last week being celebrated annually as Senior Citizens Week. The last Sunday in September is celebrated as Grandparents Day and October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons. An annual schedule of special activities for seniors is published.

Art, Craft and Culinary Arts Competition

Senior Citizens compete annually in these areas. The competition in held in collaboration with the JCDC and RADA

Recreational Activities

Seniors participate in various types of recreational activities including trips to local places of interest, museums and historical sites, beaches, hotels and parks as well as overseas cruises and trips to Disney and to other Caribbean islands.

16 Nov

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Disaster Relief Management

Disasters that affect more than 20 families are classified as national disasters.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security is responsible for leading the damage assessment process, shelter management and the co-ordination of welfare activities. Based on the assessment, the Ministry is also responsible for preparing a budget for payment of grants to victims. The budget is submitted to the Ministry of Finance and Planning for approval and disbursement of funds.

Activities are conducted in collaboration with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) which is responsible for response activities during a national disaster.

16 Nov

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Steps to Work

The Steps to Work project provides interventions aimed at facilitating a structured system for assisting working-age members of poor families to seek and retain employment.

Four categories of interventions are provided:

Entrepreneurship Training and Micro-Finance Support – eligible beneficiaries may receive grants of up to $100,000.00 to establish or expand small businesses.
Job-readiness training, placement referrals and paid On-the-job training opportunities for qualified secondary and tertiary graduates
Technical/vocational training and certification opportunities are provided in collaboration with the HEART Trust/NTA and through private training organizations
Second Chance Education Initiative – The intervention covers tuition and examination costs for participants, who are being prepared to sit/re-sit up to five (5) CSEC subjects and attain NCT/TVET level II certification in a vocational skill.

16 Nov

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Rehabilitation

The Rehabilitation Programme

Established by a Cabinet Decision in 1972, the Rehabilitation Programme provides assistance to individuals in need of social assistance for compassionate purposes or who can improve their economic base through income generating projects. The Programme provides grants which are available to persons who, in the past, have exhibited their self supporting potential but are currently experiencing circumstances that prevent them from providing for their basic needs or that of their families.

The Rehabilitation Programme constitutes four types of grants indicated below. These are all one-off Grants.

Rehabilitation Assistance Grant

This Grant provides an opportunity for individuals/families to undertake income generating projects to improve their economic status. It provides assistance to establish small projects or boost existing projects such as haberdashery, trading, dressmaking etc.

Compassionate Assistance Grant

This Grant is available to persons in need of speedy assistance and who are unable access assistance under any other scheme. Applicants should not have insurance coverage. Assistance is usually provided to meet urgent needs such as prescriptive aids, medication, household items, house repairs and burial expenses.

Emergency Assistance Grant

This Grant is available to assist persons who have suffered a disaster, whether man-made or natural, such as an earthquake, hurricane, fire, etc. Applicants should not have insurance coverage. Assistance is usually provided for personal belonging, basic food items or toiletry.
These may be purchased in bulk by the Ministry and kept in storage at the Ministry’s Central Foods Store. If not in storage, stock may be sourced by the Parish Offices from Creditors for whom lines of credit have been established.

Education and Social Intervention (ESI) Grant

This Grant is available to assist children who cannot attend school or whose regular attendance is affected by their parents’/guardians’ inability to provide uniforms, school books and other basic needs.

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Stimulation Child Development Centre

Low Layton District

Randolf Lopez Building

Four categories of interventions are provided:

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