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BAHAMAS: Department of Education Mandates Online Special Education Didactic Training Series

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#TurksandCaicos, March 11, 2018 – Providenciales – On Friday, January 19, 2018, Guidance Counsellors and Special Educators assigned to the TCIG public schools commenced their participation in an Online Training Series hosted by the Center for Children with Special Needs (CCSN) under the overall direction of Dr Michael Powers, an assistant Clinical Professor of Psychology at the Yale Child Study Center.

This training series is part of a comprehensive collaborative program consultation project between CCSN and the Ashley Learning Center in Providenciales under the passionate leadership of Mrs. Angela Williams-Valerio.  In May 2017, Mrs. Williams-Valerio facilitated the professional linkage between the CCSN and representatives from both the Ministries of Education and Health and a commitment was made to extend the benefit of the partnership between CCSN and the Ashley Learning Center to the Education and Health Sectors.

The Training Series consists of six training modules (2.5hrs each) designed to provide participants with an introduction to teaching principles that are guided by the science of applied behaviour analysis (ABA).  The topical areas to be covered in the series include conceptual knowledge, terminology, and a basic application of ABA that participants will be able to use to meet the individualised learning needs of students with Special Education Needs (SEN), including Autism Spectrum Disorder and other complex neurodevelopmental disorders.

During each session, a board certified behaviour analyst (BCBA) uses a tele-health platform to present information via a visual media-supported lecture (e.g. slides, video clips). At the end of the training series, it is expected that participants will be able to:

  • Identify the key features of evidence-based instructional procedures in both structured and unstructured environments.
  • Utilize individualized reinforcement procedures to increase student motivation.
  • Identify how antecedents and consequences are used to determine the function of challenging behavior.
  • Identify the difference between reinforcement and punishment with regards to the impact of each on student behavior.
  • Identify a functionally equivalent behavior to teach as an adaptive replacement for challenging behavior.
  • Identify various antecedent and consequence-based interventions and the impact of these interventions on student learning.
  • Embed visual supports to enhance student learning.
  • Describe the importance of on-going analysis and identify common methods for data collection.

A number of different CCSN Clinical Staff from various disciplines support this project with both direct and tele-health consultation. The primary instructors for the Training Series are Ms. Shaunessy Egan, M.S. Ed., BCBA, and Ms. Cali McGinn, M.A., BCBA from the CCSN’s base in Glastonbury, Connecticut. Ms. Egan is a BCBA and certified special education teacher who serves as a Program Coordinator at CCSN. She has experience providing direct instruction to learners with various needs, creating individualized curriculum adaptations, developing comprehensive educational plans, and consulting to school systems and families.

Ms. McGinn is also a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) and certified special education teacher. She serves as a Senior Behavior Analyst at CCSN with experience providing consultative program development support to educational teams and experience implementing Positive Behavioural Interventions and Supports in schools. The training series will be further supported by Ms. Colleen Suzio, M.S., BCBA and Ms. Gosia Bochenska, M.S., BCBA, who also both serve as Senior Behavior Analysts at CCSN.

While the sessions have been made mandatory for all Guidance Counsellors and Special Educators in the TCIG public schools, the Department of Education has been keen to invite the participation and involvement of ALL educators within the public and private sectors. By the end of the second session which was held on Friday, February 16, 2018, some twenty-eight participants from both sectors had enrolled including the Special Educators assigned to Special Needs Unit’s SNAP Centre in the Ministry of Health.

It is expected that the next online session will be hosted on Friday, March 16, 2018. Education Professionals who would like to participate in these sessions may contact the Department of Education by emailing Ms. Sriya Smalling, the Educational Psychologist, at ssmalling@gov.tc

Release: TCIG

 

 

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DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM REGULATIONS INTRODUCES “RATE YOUR RIDE” SYSTEM FOR TOURISTS VISITING THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

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FROM THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March, 2024 – Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: The Department of Tourism Regulations is proud to unveil the “Rate Your Ride” system, a new initiative designed to enhance the vacation experience for tourists exploring our picturesque islands.

The “Rate Your Ride” system empowers tourists to provide valuable feedback on the quality of transportation services they receive while visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands. Through an easy-to-use online form, tourists can rate factors such as cleanliness, comfort, safety, and professionalism of drivers, helping us to assure the highest quality of service standards across all modes of transportation.

By participating in the “Rate Your Ride” system, tourists play a crucial role in shaping the future of transportation services in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Their feedback will enable us to identify areas for improvement and ensure that every visitor enjoys safe, comfortable, and convenient travel throughout their stay in the Turks and Caicos.

The code will also be publicly accessible through the cooperation of volunteer drivers who will make the rating code available in their vehicles. Flyers and stickers displaying the code will be distributed at hotels, resorts and airports. The mandated display of these codes is expected to align with the rollout of our tourism regulations in 2025.

For more information about the “Rate Your Ride” system and other initiatives by the Department of Tourism Regulations, please visit gov.tc/tourismregulations/or contact us via telephone at 946-4970 and email at tourismregulations@gov.tc.

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THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIOURAL HEALTH SERVICES CONDEMNS RECORDING OF PERSONS WHO ARE IN CRISIS

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FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March 2024– The Department of Behavioral Health Services is appealing to the general public to refrain from recording and circulating videos of persons who may appear to be experiencing a mental health crisis. Anyone can experience a mental health crisis at some point in their life. According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in any given year. Persons may struggle with very common conditions such as Anxiety and Depression or be diagnosed with more serious conditions like Bipolar Disorder or Psychosis.

“There are a lot of misunderstandings about various mental health conditions and how they may manifest. In addition, there are a number of negative perceptions and misconceptions that society exhibits towards people with mental health problems. However, just as we would show care and concern for someone diagnosed with Cancer, or any other physical illness, in the same way, we need to be as caring and helpful to persons with mental illnesses”– stated Director of the Department of Behavioral Health Services, Dr. Alicia Malcolm.

The Department is urging the public to call the following numbers if you see someone who appears to be experiencing a mental health crisis:

338-5473/338-3616: Providenciales, North or Middle Caicos

338-3614/338-3612: Grand Turk, South Caicos, Salt Cay

338-6301: Nights and Weekends

If someone is putting themselves or someone else in immediate, serious risk of harm, call 911.

The Department of Behavioral Health services is here to help and provides the following services which are free and confidential:

Location of above services:

o             Sam Harvey Building, Down Town, Providenciales,

o             Primary Health Care Department, Cheshire Hall Medical Center, Providenciales 

o             Department of Behavioural Health, Duncombe Alley, Grand Turk

 

Let’s all do our part in creating a community where people with mental health problems feel respected, supported and cared for. 

For additional information, please visit the Ministry of Health’s Facebook page on https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/ or the Department of Behavioral Health Services Faceebook on https://www.facebook.com/TCIDBHS/.

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Breaking Ground: TCI Could Lead in Regional Communication Standards

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Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom, 27th March 2024: The PR, marketing, and communications sector is poised for potential growth and could lead the Caribbean region in terms of industry standards says Damian Wilson. Wilson’s suggestion comes after the release of a new research report into the current trends and future direction of the sector as a possible emerging industry in the Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).

Wilson is the report’s author, which conveys the findings of research which he initiated. “One of the key research results is the considerable optimism by industry practitioners and government alike, with persons seeing growth potential. I believe that we can become regional leaders in this field. I believe that one of the initiatives that could be used to do this is by establishing a ‘TCI Centre of Communications Excellence’ within the TCI Community College. Such an institute would be dedicated to communication and media innovation with a particular focus on digital communications and ICT,” says Wilson.

He further explained, “I believe that the PR, marketing, and communications sector, like much of the country, is at a crossroads and could have an even greater impact on our socio-economic fabric. Some may have concerns about our small size, but I believe this makes us far more agile than our neighbours. All in all, any potential growth must be underpinned by new investments, professional development, and a strategy to integrate the sector into the broader economy.”

Wilson also said that he sees his research as a first step in understanding our own industry sectors in the TCI and would love to see more profound research and analysis conducted. He’s hoping that the report will spark discussion along those lines. The report is entitled ‘Current Trends and Future Direction: A Preliminary Report on the PR, Marketing, and Communications Sector in the Turks & Caicos Islands’. Anyone wanting a copy of the report can contact Damian Wilson via his email, damian.wilson.pr@gmail.com.

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