26 February 2010 | Minister Neletha Butterfield

Good Afternoon,

The Ministry of Culture and Social Rehabilitation is seeking a budgetary allocation of $72.8 million for fiscal year 2010/11. This level of funding is similar to the level of funding received during the current fiscal year, and will allow the Ministry to carry on with its two-pronged mandate of developing human potential through the provision of human services; and the promotion and support for cultural, community, human affairs and library services.

In recognition of the need for sound social policy initiatives and programmes aimed at strengthening families and addressing social dysfunction among some of our youth, the Ministry of Culture and Social Rehabilitation intends to continue with several key initiatives, including the following:

CHILD DAY CARE ALLOWANCE PROGRAMME

Government has been extremely encouraged by the success of its child day care allowance scheme operated through the Department of Financial Assistance. The initiative was launched in November 2008, and by the end of December 2009 the Programme had assisted over 700 families and 750 children. During the week ending 12th February 2010, 471 children were benefiting from the scheme, which has been particularly beneficial to single mothers who have struggled to make ends meet financially.

A satisfaction survey conducted in 2009 revealed that nearly 90% of child day care allowance recipients stated that their quality of life had improved; over 50% reported spending more time with their children, with an emphasis on reading; 37% reported better control of expenses; 35% are pursuing a higher level of education; 31% have pursued employment opportunities; and 28% have implemented budget plans.

As a result of these positive indicators, the Ministry of Culture and Social Rehabilitation has been allocated $4.8 million to continue this important Programme during fiscal year 2010/11.

MIRRORS PROGRAMME

The successful Mirrors Programme enters its fourth year of operation in 2010 and the Ministry of Culture and Social Rehabilitation has been allocated $2.5 million in fiscal year 2010/11 to continue this initiative. This will allow for the conduct of two intensive 6-day residential training courses, one for 15-18 year olds (co-ed) and one for 19-23 year olds (male only), as well as to introduce two (2) new Middle School coaching for success training sessions. In addition, Mirrors will continue to deliver Parent Workshops and Professional Development Trainings for participants 21 years of age and over.

CULTURAL LEGACY FUND

In fiscal year 2009/10 The Ministry of Culture and Social Rehabilitation established a Cultural Legacy Fund valued at $100,000. The purpose of this Fund is to encourage innovation across the full spectrum of culture and the arts and to provide opportunities for Bermudian artists. I recently announced the first proud recipients of Cultural Legacy Fund grants. It is our desire to grow the Cultural Legacy Fund in years to come so that it represents a major funding source for arts and culture in Bermuda, thereby encouraging further creativity and innovation as well as providing new training and development opportunities. Accordingly, the Ministry has been allocated a sum of $200,000 for the Cultural Legacy Fund in fiscal year 2010/11.

PSYCHO-EDUCATIONAL TREATMENT PROGRAMME

There continues to be an ongoing need to treat some of our children with severe behavioural disorders at overseas facilities. Last year the Ministry of Culture and Social Rehabilitation administered the programme for over 50 children. To continue this programme, the Ministry has been given an allocation of $3.1 million for fiscal year 2010/11, a similar amount to that allocated in the previous fiscal year.

CROSS MINISTRY INTERVENTION TEAM

The Cross Ministry Intervention Team (CMIT) delivers community-based intensive intervention to address the needs of high risk families. CMIT has evolved from a 2 year pilot programme and has a permanent home within the Department of Child and Family Services. The goal of CMIT is to provide immediate intervention, treatment and structure in the lives of families identified to be receiving services from two or more of the following agencies: Department of Child and Family Services, Department of financial Assistance, Department of court Services and the Bermuda Housing Corporation. CMIT has had good success in strengthening families by improving their ability to provide structure and guidance for their children through parenting; life skills coaching; and training through group and individual therapy as part of an integrated agency response. In order to sustain CMIT, the Ministry of Culture and Social Rehabilitation has been allocated $1.7 million in fiscal year 2010/11 to enable CMIT to continue its important work.

NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL MASTER PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

The Department for National Drug Control is the lead unit in Government with responsibility for the balanced approach to implementation and coordination of national drug control efforts embodied in the National Drug Control Master Plan. Various cross-ministry initiatives with the Police, Customs, Corrections and Education are underway and the funding allocated to the Ministry will allow these initiatives to continue. I highlight the Mandatory Drug Treatment Programme that has recently been established at the Prison Farm Facility as one example of a collaborative, inter-agency initiative that we hope will make a difference in the lives of many. Funding received will also support the monitoring and evaluation of the Mandatory Drug Treatment Programme. The Ministry of Culture and Social Rehabilitation has been allocated $340,000 in fiscal year 2010/11 to continue coordinating the implementation of the National Drug Control Master Plan.