SENS Department’s Visit to 1 World Foundation in Watertown, New York

Turks and Caicos, September 21, 2024 – The Special Education Needs Services (SENS) Department recently had the privilege of visiting the 1 World Foundation in Watertown, NY. The delegation, comprising the Director of SENS – Dr Anya Malcolm-Gibbs, the Coordinator of Assessments- Mrs. Lashaunda Skippings, and a Special Education Assistant Teacher, Ms. Sheniqua Morgan, was warmly received by Mr. Joseph Rich and Mr. Howard Ganter, who provided an extensive tour of their remarkable facilities.

During the visit, the SENS team explored the ARC Center for Persons with Disabilities, which offers comprehensive child and adult day programs along with a range of therapeutic services. They also visited the Vocational Services Centre, which supports individuals in developing skills for employment, and the Citizens Advocate Behavioural Health Centre, which provides essential mental health services to the community.

This international exchange marks a significant step in improving the services offered by the SENS Department. By learning from the successful programmes implemented by 1 World Foundation, the department can integrate best practices into its own initiatives, benefiting individuals with special needs in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The visit culminated in attending a fundraising event hosted by the 1 World Foundation, which raises crucial funds for the foundation’s extensive volunteer work. The experience provided valuable insights into building community support and enhancing the sustainability of special needs programmes through fundraising and advocacy.

Dr Anya Malcolm-Gibbs, Director of SENS, shared, “Our visit to 1 World Foundation has been an invaluable opportunity to learn from their expertise in delivering inclusive services. It has provided us with new insights and practical strategies that we can adapt to better serve our children. We are committed to continuous improvement, and this partnership ensures that our programmes remain relevant, inclusive and impactful”.

The Minister of Education, Hon. Rachel M. Taylor, also remarked on the visit, “We are committed to improving the lives of all our citizens, especially those with special needs. It is essential that we learn from global best practices and bring those insights back to our community. The knowledge and partnerships gained from this visit will contribute significantly to the future development of our inclusive education programmes and support services”.

The SENS Department looks forward to further collaborations with the 1 World Foundation and implementing new ideas that will benefit children and adults with special needs throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands. For more information about the Department of Special Education Needs Services and its programmes, please contact sens@gov.tc.