Children’s homes in Curaçao get
increase, but not in St. Maarten
~ Local homes reportedly asked to cut down on number of children ~
PHILIPSBURG--While an increase in tariffs has been approved for children’s homes in Curaçao, the care contract that stipulates payment for orphaned and neglected children in St. Maarten is still unsigned and remains wrapped in controversy.
Commissioner Sarah Wescot-Williams said Wednesday that an increase had been approved for children’s homes in Curaçao, but not in St. Maarten. “In St. Maarten, approval of the care contract is still outstanding,” she said in a brief statement to the media yesterday in reference to a question asked at the Executive Council press briefing earlier in the day.
“It is alleged that the homes in St. Maarten are being asked to cut down on the number of children at the homes,” the Commissioner said.
Health Commissioner Maria Buncamper-Molanus had told reporters in an earlier statement that care for orphaned and neglected youths fell under the Central Government and directly under Justice Minister David Dick. She noted, however, that a deadlock over an increase in funding between Justice Minister David Dick and homes that cater to orphaned and neglected youth in St. Maarten was one of the factors stalling the signing of a care contract.
The care contract will stipulate the amount the Central Government will pay per foster child and set standards to bring about some sort of regulation to the sector.
She had said it was “very unfortunate” that the care contract was never finalised. This has to do with a request from homes in St. Maarten for an increase in the amount they should receive from the Central Government. She had said the amount should be increased simply because the cost of living on the island had increased.
“In fact, it has been increased all over the world. … A request to increase the amount has been discussed over and over again. This seems to be an obstacle that they could not agree on and at the end of the day all the work that went into (finalising) a care contract between the homes and the minister was futile as there is a deadlock.”
While the signing of the care contract continues to be an issue, Crystal Children’s Home, which has been served with an eviction notice, is still wondering where it will relocate its 17 orphaned and neglected children and its staff.
The Island Government has thrown its support behind these homes by allocating NAf. 1.6 million to the two larger children’s homes in St. Maarten for housing purposes.
