Update on the Independent Living Programme & Social Work Month Activities 2024

Mr. Speaker,

This morning I rise to provide this Honourable House with an update on the Independent Living Programme, the first of its kind to be established in Bermuda and to share the many activities that have been planned for Social Work Month, March 2024.

Mr. Speaker,

March 2nd 2024, marked the first anniversary of the opening of the Independent Living Programme - we have much to celebrate! This programme provides a safety net for our young adults who have aged out of the care of the Director of Child and Family Services without a transition plan. As shared before with this Honourable House, The Children Act 1998, gives the Director parental authority over the care of children from birth to 18 years whose parents are unable or unwilling to safely care for them in their own homes.

At age 18 years these children are legally adults, and the Director no longer has the authority to provide care or make decisions on behalf of these young persons. The Independent Living Programme thus provides a 24-hour secure dormitory-style housing facility that supports these young adults through the provision of services to transition and adapt to independent living and self-responsibility.

Mr. Speaker,

I will provide an update on the residents living at the Garrison View facility and the operational activity of the Independent Living Programme.

Mr. Speaker,

During the last quarter of the fiscal year the Level Up Program which was announced as a 2023 Throne Speech initiative was implemented to provide our young people who are 17

½ years old with the opportunity to gradually adjust to the realities of adulating as they approach their 18th birthday. The Level Up Program provides daily hands-on life skills, with hurdle support from staff. These young people are coached around decision making, given more flexibility and experiential learning around meal planning and preparation, money management and employability.

Mr. Speaker,

During the past year, there were ten (10) referrals for the Independent Living Programme of which eight (8) were approved and two (2) were declined as the young adults were deemed to be unsuitable for the program. Of the eight young persons approved, there were two males and six females. This reflects near to full capacity. Although the Garrison View can accommodate 11 young persons, it has been reduced to nine as one room is being used for administration services while awaiting the completion of the lower-level renovations by the Bermuda Housing Corporation which will add another bedroom.

Mr. Speaker,

I will share a bit of detail about the progress of some of the Garrison View residents.

The very first resident of Garrison View moved in just prior to its official opening in March 2023 at the age of 19 years but later had to leave in June 2023 due to personal reasons. Nonetheless, while at Garrison View and with the support of the programme services she was approved for financial assistance. She had previously completed the nursing aid certification and enrolled with the Department of Workforce Development. She subsequently completed the requirements to be registered with the Department of Health as a nursing assistant.

Another female youth moved in on her 18th birthday in May 2023. She was involved with another support agency and graduated in June 2023 from high school. This resident had a work placement which was extended until the end of the first quarter of 2024. She has taken self-responsibility and has been paying rent since August 2023. Additionally, while at Garrison View, she obtained her bike license and was able to purchase a second-hand bike for transportation.

The first Level Up participant in the Independent Living Programme graduated from high school in June and moved in August 2023. She registered with Workforce Development in September 2023 and obtained employment shortly thereafter. Immediately after her 18th birthday in October 2023, she obtained her bike license and purchased a second-hand bike. She began paying rent in November 2023.

In October 2023, another 19-year-old female resident moved to Garrison View. With the support of the programme, she enrolled with the Department of Workforce Development and attended some of their training classes. She was initially offered a part-time job with a security firm and more recently approved to work in one of the apprenticeship programs with the Department of Parks.

A male resident joined the Independent Living Programme in November 2023 at the age of 20. He is currently a Private with the Bermuda Regiment. With the programme support, he enrolled with the Department of Workforce Development and began a 3-month apprenticeship in January 2024.

Each of these residents will continue to participate in the programme’s life skills groups. Our young persons each have individual goals that are reviewed every three months to determine if the goals have been achieved and whether new ones need to be identified. One resident recently identified a new goal and enrolled in an online approved childcare certification program.

Mr. Speaker,

The residents of Garrison View are on a journey and determined to reach a point of independent living through full-time permanent employment. The Independent Living Programme will provide them with the needed life skills to achieve this.

Mr. Speaker,

Let me now share about the operational activity of the Independent Living Programme which offers more than just housing. Throughout 2023 there was collaboration with community partners to provide sessions on various life skill topics for the residents such as Meal Planning, Grocery Shopping, Legal Matters, Utility Bills, Actions/Consequences, Frequent Challenges that Young Adults Face, Security and Safety, Job Sustainability, and Self Care. The goal of these sessions is to enhance as much as possible the life skills of the residents.

Mr. Speaker,

Budgeting tends to be a big challenge for the Garrison View residents, so the Independent Living Programme has partnered with Pocket Change which will provide money management sessions during the first quarter of 2024/25. Pocket Change is a business that provides financial education for youth with the goal of empowering future generations to be dream builders and asset owners.

Mr. Speaker,

Staffing for the Independent Living Programme has been enhanced over the last year with progress and growth in several areas. The hiring of two Support Workers reduced the need for security services. As a result, there is no longer a need to have a security firm cover two (2) security shifts. There is currently one security coverage provided from midnight to 8 am.

In February 2023, Ms. Charmaine Richardson the assigned Coordinator to the Independent Living Programme became certified as an Independent Living Specialist which helped to give the programme a solid start when it opened in March 2023. Also, the Assistant to the Coordinator Ms. Zina Francis who was on-boarded to support the Programme obtained her certification as an Independent Living Specialist. Subsequently, Ms. India Ford who began working with the Independent Living Programmes in November 2023 will complete her Independent Living Specialist certification during the second quarter of 2024.

The Programme’s Coordinator has implemented training to include basic social work assessments during the intake phase. All residents at Garrison View complete a life skills assessment which is a tool that evaluates young person’s behaviours and proficiencies required to help them develop productive lives as they strive to achieve their long-term goals. To create individualized service plans, all residents must be assessed.

Mr. Speaker,

The 35th National Independent Living Conference held by Daniel Kids was held in Denver, Colorado in August 2023. This conference is designed to help professionals, clients, and their respective organizations establish and maintain effective Independent Living Programmes. The presenters are experts in the field of independent living who lead training sessions, workshops, panel discussions, and leadership and team-building activities dedicated to the needs of youth who are currently in care and about to transition. The conference offers innovative ideas on how youth can adapt to life’s ever-changing situations and be properly guided to become competent, responsible, independent adults. It also provides networking and community-building opportunities.

I am pleased that Mrs. Charmaine Richardson the Independent Living Programme Coordinator and Ms. Zina Francis the Level Up resident were able to experience this conference, participate in the training sessions, learn about other overseas programme offerings, and engage in networking.

Mr. Speaker,

As a part of the Performance Quality Improvement process (PQI), the Independent Living Program conducted a year in-review which included a satisfaction survey of the residents. Residents’ feedback was encouraging. They expressed gratitude for the program and appreciated staff respect and support. When asked about how they felt about being residents at Garrison View, they responded that “it felt like HOME”.

Residents also commented that they are thankful that the program opened as they literally had nowhere else to go and that it has made the transition to independence a lot easier.

Mr. Speaker,

Without the Independent Living Programme, all the residents would have been homeless and had experienced a sense of hopelessness. They have limited to no family support. Two are orphaned having lost both parents, one has lost one parent, and the others have no connection with either parent. They have described the Programme as a saving grace that has provided them the opportunity to have a stable home environment and support as they navigate the challenges and demands of adulting.

Mr. Speaker,

I take this opportunity to thank the Department of Child and Family Services, the staff of the Independent Living Programme, the community partners and all who have played a part in the success of the first anniversary of the Independent Living Programme.

Mr. Speaker,

I now turn to Social Work Month recognized each year during the month of March. The National Association of Social Workers' Theme for 2024 is Empowering Social Workers; Inspiring Action, Leading Change. A fitting theme that describes what social workers across the Island do daily.

Mr. Speaker,

Let me highlight the activities that have been scheduled in recognition of Social Work Month 2024. The Department of Child and Family Services will be hosting training and development opportunities for Social Workers in the Department, social workers across the Island and Community Stakeholders.

Mr. Speaker,

Yesterday, Thursday, March 21st, the Department of Child and Family Services will be celebrating its social workers with an appreciation luncheon. The theme for the luncheon is Social Workers…. We See you; We Celebrate you; We Salute you! A thank you for all the tireless work that they do caring for and protecting children so that the future of Bermuda’s most precious resources remains bright.

Next week Monday, March 18 through Friday, March 22, the Department of Child and Family Services will be hosting training for staff conducted by Dr Eboni Webb, who is a highly rated International certified trainer in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). Dr Webb earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Minnesota School of Professional Psychology.

She began her clinical work as assistant clinical director and program director at Mental Health Systems, one of the largest providers of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy in the United States. Dr. Webb has developed two specialized Dialectical Behaviour Therapy treatment programs for clients with developmental disabilities and borderline intellectual functioning.