PRESS RELEASE
FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND WELFARE
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Tuesday, 22 April 2025: The Department of Social Development and Welfare within the Ministry of Home Affairs and Transportation recently hosted a transformative two-day training and team development event for caregivers from the Mahala Wynns Empowerment Home under the theme “Caring with Compassion and Purpose.” This initiative celebrated the caregivers’ unwavering dedication to nurturing at-risk girls while providing them with professional development, emotional renewal, and practical strategies to enhance their caregiving roles.
A series of specialised training sessions was designed to address the caregivers’ unique challenges and equip them with valuable skills:
Session #1: “Caring with Compassion: Working with Abused and Neglected Girls” – Facilitated by Social Worker Dawn Higgins, this session covered trauma-informed care strategies to help caregivers support children who have experienced abuse or neglect.
Session #2: “How to Document to Safeguard Yourself and Protect the Girls in Your Care” – Led by Mr. Jaron Harvey, Director of the Department of Rehabilitation and Community Services, this session taught caregivers essential documentation skills to safeguard both themselves and the children in their care.
Session #3: “Breaking Barriers by Listening to Understand: Building Trust and Connection with Teen Girls” – Presented by Mr. Salorne McDonald, Deputy Director of Gender Affairs, this session focused on strategies to build trust and foster open communication with teen girls.
Session #4: “Self-Care for Caregivers: Protecting Your Own Well-Being While Supporting Others” – Also led by Mr. McDonald, this session provided caregivers with practical tools to manage stress, prevent burnout, and maintain personal well-being while supporting others.
As part of the team-building component, caregivers participated in engaging activities such as a Sip and Paint session, which encouraged creativity and camaraderie, and a group recreational day that offered a chance for relaxation and rejuvenation. These components were designed to support well-being and morale among the team.
Director of Social Development and Welfare, Mrs. Ashley Adams-Forbes, expressed her gratitude, saying, “This initiative is a testament to the critical work caregivers do daily. By combining professional growth with wellness-focused team development, we aim to inspire and empower them to continue their incredible efforts with renewed purpose and passion.”
This effort marks the beginning of a sustained commitment to caregiver support and ongoing development, ensuring these frontline workers are empowered to meet the needs of vulnerable children in their care.
For more information about the Department of Social Development and our programs, please visit our website: www.gov.tc/dsd or email us at infodsd@gov.tc.
Contact numbers:
Providenciales: 1-649-338-4008
Grand Turk: 1-649-338-2684
North & Middle Caicos: 1-649-338-6411/12
South Caicos: 1-649-338-6321
Follow us on
Instagram: @socialdevelopment.welfare
Facebook: @department of social development, tci
