U.S. Virgin Islands — V.I. Attorney General Ariel Smith announces the completion of the 6-week parenting class for the Hispanic Community initiated by the Access and Visitation Program (AVP) of the V.I. Department of Justice (DOJ) Paternity and Child Support Division (PCSD). Certificate Ceremonies were held for 105 participants in the St. Thomas/St. John District on September 22, at the Mount Zion Church of God, and on Saturday, September 23, at the Iglesia de Dios Sol De Justicia on St. Croix.
Furthering its commitment to fund services that aim to meet the needs of all families in the community, The AVP team partnered with Sandra Garcon Degerville Ministries, LLC, Bishop Earl Harrison- Mount Zion Church of God, the Iglesia de Dios Rosa de Saron- St. Thomas, Iglesia de Dios Estrella de La Manana- St. John, and the Iglesia De Dios Sol de Justicia on St. Croix. Parenting program facilitator, Dr. Sandra Garcon who created the Healthy Parental Relationship Program said that due to the success of the implementation of the same program for the Haitian community last year, they followed through with plans to serve the Hispanic communities of St Thomas, St John, and St Croix. Last year the AVP team partnered with the First Haitian Baptist Church of St. Thomas to offer a 12-week virtual program for over 50 participants. “This is either a 6-week intensive or a 12-week virtual group designed to create healthy parental relationships to improve the safety and well-being of children by teaching effective ways to co-parent and increase dad ‘s involvement in raising their children,” said Garcon.
Some of the topics discussed were:
- Setting the atmosphere for effective co-parenting.
- The mother’s role in promoting a healthy father-child relationship.
- The cost of Dad ‘s absence.
- Conflict resolution and developing mutual respect.
- Setting mutual disciplines and structures.
“I respect the courage, wisdom, and foresight of the parents who participated in this program. Better parents create well-rounded citizens who are tolerant and respectful of others regardless of race, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, or ethnicity. Parenting programs help to build strong families that in turn lead to a strong community”, said AG Smith.
“The first Spanish Parenting Class for 105 participants and support services for eighteen youths is historic in our agency and the US Virgin Islands. We have received overwhelming responses from the attendees. We are grateful to everyone who contributed to the success of the program including the AVP and entire DOJ Team, Dr. Sandra Garcon, the Office of the Governor, community Leaders, participants, and the community for the support of our families in the USVI,” said Sharon Jackson-McDonald, Access Visitation Administrator.
During the ceremony, some of the parents shared their testimony with the assistance of translators.
Remarks during the St. Thomas ceremony were given by AG Ariel Smith, President of Sandra Garcon Degerville Ministries, LLC- Sandra Garcon, CEO Inspire V.I. LLC- Cira Burke, Pastor of the Iglesia de Dios Rosa de Saron- Roberto de Jesus Moreno and guest speaker, 35th Legislature of the V.I.- Senator Milton Potter. On St. Croix remarks were shared by guest speaker, 35th Legislature of the V.I.- Senator Marise C. James, Sammuel Sannes representing Governor Albert Bryan, BOC Grant Manager, Peter Abrahams- Representing BOC Director Wynnie Testamark, Senator Novelle E. Francis, Jr., DOJ Deputy AG- William A. Appleton, Esq., Iglesia De Dios Sol de Justicia- Pastor Israel Cruz Taylor and First Lady Milda Taylor.
The AVP is a federally funded program under Title IV Section D of the Social Security Act.
Each year, the federal Office of Child Support Enforcement (OSCE) provides mandatory grant funding to states and territories to operate the Access and Visitation Program. The Program aims to fund services that help noncustodial parents spend more time with their children and strengthen parental and family relationships. For more information on the initiative, call the Access and Visitation Program, DOJ Paternity and Child Support Division at 340-775-3070 on St. Thomas and St. Croix at 340-778-5958. You can also email the team at viaccess@vi.gov.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 29, 2023
Sandra Goomansingh
Media Relations Director
(340) 774-5666 ext. 10105
Email: sandra.goomansingh@doj.vi.gov