New head of Children and Family Services
Paulinda Mendoza-Williams
(CNS): Following recent revelations that the director of the Cayman Islands Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), Felicia Robinson, had resigned after just two years on the job, the Ministry of Community Affairs has already undertaken a recruitment process and appointed Paulinda Mendoza-Williams to the post. Mendoza-Williams was one of the architects of both the Needs Assessment Unit and the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), which was set up to deal with vulnerable victims. She is due to start the job next month, according to a release about the change in leadership at one of its most challenging departments.
With more than 20 years experience in social work, Mendoza-Williams has acted as director several times, including for ten months before the substantive post was given to Robinson. Having started as a social worker and steadily progressed in the department, she is currently the deputy director of clinical services. She has also been involved in the development, implementation, monitoring and review of legislation and policies that impact best practice in social work, such as the Children Law (2012 Revision), Youth Justice and Adoption Laws.
More recently she was seconded to the ministry, where she was responsible for oversight of the review and policy development of MASH. Mendoza-Williams is working closely with Robinson before she leaves and is actively involved in restructuring the DCFS to reflect a more specialised approach to social work delivery.
Excited about her new post, she said a significant amount of her career and professional development has been focused on serving the community. “Along with the hardworking DCFS staff, I will continue developing and enhancing the work of the department by ensuring legislation, best practice and policy are employed to promote positive social change,” she said.
Chief Officer Teresa Echenique thanked Robinson for her service and wished her well in her future endeavours. “She has been instrumental in establishing key foundational work in DCFS to enhance and develop services,” the CO added.
Category: Local News
Hope she gets rid of some of the absolute morons employed by DFCS. It’s a disgrace that some of these brainless, fundamental religious nutcases are given the power to decide on some families’ futures. Who is DFCS accountable to? What qualifications do you need to be a DFCS social worker? That said, congratulations to Ms Mendoza-Williams, and wish you all the best.
Such a shame losing an experienced, dedicated and competent director as Ms Robinson. Sorry to see her leave, and she will be a tough act to follow.
Decision #1: make condoms free to everyone who wants them. Put them where they can simply & easily be picked up by young & old.
The total annual cost is much less than caring for 1 neglected child.
Birth control pills need to be free and available from public health as does the morning after pill.
Sex ed is FREE in schools yo! No need to manufacture condoms and pills if you have knowledge and self control.
Also, a morning after pill means the night was a mistake and the best birth control is abstinence.
#KNOWLEDGEIZPOWA!
You’re so ignorant I doubt anyone wants to waste time telling you how wrong you are.
So by your definition of a sexual encounter… if a pregnancy occurs you must go full-term with it and raise that child even though you just had a one night stand with what may be a stranger because you didn’t regret it and to take a morning after pill means you regretted that encounter? Every time you have casual sex? You’re an idiot and sounds like you need Sex Ed.
Who knows the ins and outs of anything better than the Architect . Maybe Ms. Williams is a good choice for the job , but that’s left to be proving .
There is a huge difference between an architect and a Creator.
Architects design from created materials.
Just blew the Lodge to pieces. Sorry.
1 :39 pm , you better reread the definition of architect.
I did. An architect is not a Creator. One straight up question. Are you Lodge? If not, then it’s probably best not to use their buzzwords, but if you are, your posts are meaningless.
IMO, she should have been appointed initially but glad that they finally have appointed her.
Excellent choice. She is beyond qualified and has the personality and drive to do the job effectively.
Congrats Paulinda!
Great appointment! Congrats!!
Congratulations