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Minister Furbert - Throne Speech Initiatives 2020 .pdf

Tinée Furbert, the new Minister of Social Development and Seniors, pledged to bring “change where it is needed the most” for the island’s youth and elderly.

Ms Furbert said the new Children’s Commission, pledged to replace the “outdated“ Child Care Placement Board, would meld the expertise of the Department of Child and Family Services, Child and Adolescent Services, and the health and education ministries.

The commission will be set up to “advocate for children in care”.

She added: “Currently, there is no mechanism for children with multi-disciplinary challenges that are outside the scope of any individual government department or agency.”

The new organisation was among pledges in the Throne Speech of November 6 for the new year of Parliament.

Also under the Throne Speech, young people transitioning out of the Government’s care are to receive independent living coordinators.

She said these officials would draw up “individual plans for young people” to assist with further education, affordable housing and career advice.

Ms Furbert said she would bring her career experience as an occupational therapist to the new job.

She added: “I’ve seen the needs of our people first-hand when it comes to health and social issues.”

A national seniors strategy is to take on dementia care, with the Government and community groups also collaborating on a prevention plan for seniors’ abuse.

Ms Furbert said dementia care had become “a huge concern for us as a Government”.

“We don’t necessarily need new facilities to address it,” she said. “Government is committed as we outlined in the Throne Speech to the need for further reviews and building an approach as it relates to dementia care in Bermuda.”