CAYS Foundation Parents Association
A CNS reader writes: I am a parent of a child in the care of Bonaventure Boys Home. I am actively trying to start CAYS Foundation Parents Association. It’s an initiative that so far has about 8 parents who are willing to join. I believe there is a beautiful power in unity. Parents with two things in common: a troubled teen who is in the care of CAYS Foundation. Together we can share our concerns in hopes that it will bring about the necessary change for the betterment of our children and community. We will also be a support for each other. However, if we remain silent and do nothing, then nothing will change.
I have proven that whilst CAYS Foundation’s staff may be doing their very best, there are issues which suggest that their methods are not adequate, as most of these kids not only suffer from drug addiction, they also have educational difficulties such as ADHD and others which CAYS Foundation does not seem equipped to treat.
As someone mentioned, CAYS seems to be like a prison and not a rehabilitation facility for kids who are primarily struggling with various mental/educational issues, which are enforced by drugs as a result of the kids trying to self-medicate to free themselves from their mental issues.
Furthermore, it is my understanding (I do not have facts on this but CAYS Foundation was asked to verify) that whilst CAYS Foundation is a government organisation, they are self-governed and manged by a aboard of directors who do not have specialised skills to oversee the management of CAYS Foundation.
If this is true, one would think that members of the said board should all be assigned by government from their various specialist departments: Mental Health, Education Department, Department of Children and Family Services, maybe a police rep and definitely a parent. Otherwise, how can the government be sure that CAYS Foundation is performing per their acclaimed design?
Also, I understand that there is no particular agreement between CAYS and the Education Department with regards to the teaching of their kids at Bonaventure, as Bonaventure recruits and pays their own teachers out of their allotted annual budget from government (I am in the process of consulting the Education Dept. to verify this).
Again, I sincerely believe that the staff at CAYS Foundation are wonderful people who are doing their best but I have to be truthful that their methods are questionable, as my child has been in their care for a while and has not received the psychological and educational treatment prescribed by his doctor.
Furthermore, I have not received a formal update on his specialised treatment plan, who his counsellor is and what qualifications he/she has to meet his needs, or a report on his progress and challenges in coping with the rules and treatment, much less confirmation of what they are teaching him there — though I’ve asked over and over. Most importantly, they do not have an assigned chaplain to minister to the kids weekly for those who are Christian or practicing other beliefs.
What one should ask the Cayman Islands Government and CAYS Foundation is: what is the success rate of the kids who pass though their system? The records may very well confirm that the greater majority ends up back in Bonaventure and then later on, after turning an adult, in prison. How can we justify the huge budget granted annually to CAYS Foundation with such devastating results?
Anyhow, I will leave it here. I am inviting all persons who maybe interested in starting the CAYS Foundation Parents Association (past parents are welcome as well) to contact me via 922-5253. If you don’t get me, please leave a message and I will return your call.
Thank you.
PS: I am nonetheless thankful for what we do have at CAYS Foundation. At least the kids are not on drugs in there and are getting a better education than they were getting when they were in JGHS. All CAYS have to do to succeed is: 1) Place God at the centre of their treatment plan; 2) to keep what works; 3) change what doesn’t; 4) be open to new ideas; and 5) include parents in their kids’ actual rehabilitation plan.
May God bless our government and CAYS Foundation.
This comment was originally posted in response to Police seek help to find second missing teenager.
Category: Viewpoint
Most of you will turn a blind eye on the point that these are not your kids. But you are wrong not only bcuz you are not immune to this but these same kids will grow up one day which will nonethless have an effect on your life in a direct or indirect way. If these kids are not reformed they will eventually end up in Northward at the public’s expense but not before committing a serious crime which could leave families shattered forever. These kids are human beings just like the rest of us. They need a fair chance. The government need to examine bonnaventure and francis bodden urgently and address these matters before it too late. Both the government and cays should be held accountable for this failure.
An appeal should be made by all churces here in Cayman that kids have a right to receive them to minister to them on regular basis, especially at parents and kids request. I was told that many churches has reached out to cays requesting an opportunity to vist the trobled kids but to this date they have not received a reaponse. And we call ourselves a christian country!
Don’t impose your views on others especially on religion and politics.
The featured letter is about troubled youth in the Cayman islands.
You seem to be a very caring parent. My heart goes out to you and all kids who are labeled as troubled.
The lack of comments on the #1 problem in this country speaks for itself. Very few seem to care despite having “over fifty organizations and programmes that cater for our young people…….” ( see below)
Two honorable officials are very proud of creating Cayman national youth policy May be they have answers.
What i would suggest you contact the appropriate departments for assistance to take your child to Canada for proper evaluation at The Arrowsmith school in Toronto. There should be funds allocated for such purposes. Don’t take no for an answer. And keep CNS posted on the progress.
The cost of just one trip to a postal conference in Quatar would have covered evaluation of a few troubled kids.
Don’t medicate your kid, it is never the answer.
Be persistent. Don’t give up. If CIG says No to your attempts to save your child, try private sector. Someone would sponsor you.
“The Ministry responsible for Youth is committed to the full implementation of this policy [Cayman islands national youth policy] ….“
“The National Youth Policy (2011) is the product of careful research, extensive stakeholder meetings and focused discussions which included the youth of the Cayman Islands. It contains guiding goals and objectives which I believe will give renewed direction to all our youth services providers,…”
“The 2009 Youth Directory lists over fifty organizations and programmes that cater for our young people…….”
http://www.ministryofhealth.gov.ky/press-room/press-releases/20110930/national-youth-policy-launched
Sounds like you and they are trying hard. Not everyone can be reached. I hope the situation improves for you.
Wow. Cayman gov what will you do about this? If this is true it is a shame.
Jesus is the answer and he is able.
Your believe I god is the source of your trouble.
Step out of it, your kids deserve a fair chance.
For the heathens, God is NOT part of CAYS Foundation’s curriculum and never has been to our knowledge and beliefa. Their system has failed and continues to FAIL. They do not allow pastors or ministers of any sort to minister to the kids. So what is your point?! You surely can’t blame this failure on God. Blame the system for not including God. The Bible says, “The fool says in his heart there is no God.” And don’t come with babble that the Bible is not relevant. If it was not, why does the CI Constitution recognize its Christian values and their judicial system uses it when persons swear under oath?! Smile. Please be wise.
Children are the greatest and most valuable assets of our society. We need to make all the efforts possible to keep them while they can be reached. With genuine effort by parents and God’s direction through prayer, they will be won back from the hands of the world. Amen