NPSC Expands Parent Training and Family Support Services Across Jamaica

The National Parenting Support Commission (NPSC) says its programmes are reaching thousands of families as it works to strengthen parenting support throughout Jamaica’s education sector. Each month, between 12,000 and 14,000 parents take part in training delivered through the agency.

A major part of the work is the Parental Involvement in Education Framework, which is now active in 245 schools that have been flagged for urgent assistance. The approach is designed to move parents from simply showing up at school meetings to becoming involved partners in their children’s education, including sharing their own skills and knowledge in ways that support the curriculum.

NPSC Chief Executive Officer Kaysia Kerr tells JIS News that the parents who attend the monthly sessions are receiving structured instruction, close support and opportunities to build new skills over time. She says the Commission tracks both attendance and the subjects covered in training, so that parents are encouraged to keep returning to sessions aimed at helping them guide their children’s academic growth and social development.

Ms. Kerr says the agency’s mandate is not confined to schoolwork. “Weekly parenting education sessions and psychosocial support are offered in schools located within Zones of Special Operations (ZOSOs), particularly those affected by hurricane damage. In partnership with the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the Ministry of National Security and Peace, teams travel to St. James, Westmoreland, and St. Elizabeth to provide critical support to families,” she states.

The Commission also provides specific training for parents whose children are displaying antisocial behaviour. Families raising children with special needs are connected with specialised help through work with the Special Education Unit.

Another initiative, Men Who Mentor, is training more than 300 men as part of efforts to support fatherhood and encourage positive male examples in communities. Graduation events for the programme are planned for June and November.

Ms. Kerr says partnerships have been important to the NPSC’s progress. The United Kingdom government has provided $10 million through the Violence Prevention Partnership Programme to renovate a new Parent Place at Calabar Primary School in Kingston. UNICEF Jamaica continues to supply resources, the Seprod Foundation has supported mentorship training linked to parenting in the digital age, and the VM Foundation has given $2 million to help furnish Parent Places.

According to the CEO, Parent Places are being restored islandwide as central locations where mothers, fathers and caregivers can access help. The centres offer parenting education, early literacy support, skills training in partnership with HEART/NSTA Trust, along with psychosocial and cognitive services. A multidisciplinary committee manages each site so that different partners can contribute to service delivery.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, there were 125 Parent Places in Jamaica. Audits are now being conducted to find out how many are still operating, while renewed demand is supporting plans to expand the network across the country.

Some parents say the NPSC’s intervention has made a meaningful difference in their homes. Jason Myers of Golden Spring, St. Andrew, says the Commission has helped him and his partner as they raise their daughter, who is living with autism. He tells JIS News that the agency guided them as they sought a primary school placement suited to their daughter’s needs, while also providing training to help parents care for and support their children.

“It is not just about my own situation… but about the many areas where parents face challenges. The NPSC ensures that support is available for all,” Mr. Myers states.

Shania Walker of Old Harbour, St. Catherine, also says she is grateful for the assistance she received while caring for her four-year-old son, who is living with autism. Through the NPSC, she was linked with key services, including the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities, and received guidance on speech and behavioural therapy, school placement and mentorship.

Ms. Walker says the follow-up calls and one-on-one guidance showed her that support was available. She describes the Commission as responsive and compassionate, saying “they listen, they care, and they act”.

Ms. Kerr says the wider message is that parenting support must involve the whole country. “The call to action is clear. Parenting support is a national responsibility, and the NPSC is inviting organisations, communities, and individuals to join in reshaping the parenting landscape. With strong partnerships, innovative programmes, and a commitment to empowering families, the Commission is laying the foundation for a brighter future for Jamaica’s children,” she says.

The National Parenting Support Commission was created to coordinate parenting services and works with government ministries, non-governmental organisations and community partners.