The Ministry of National Security’s Case Management Strategy Programme is being hailed as a transformational violence prevention and social intervention tool.

This initiative represents a departure from using the physical presence of law enforcement in communities impacted by crime and violence as a primary deterrent and, instead, delving deeper into the root causes and creating specific strategies to rectify them.

Orville Simmonds, senior case management coordinator in the ministry, explained that the strategy is a framework tool focused on empowering persons, especially young people deemed at risk of being perpetrators of crime and violence.

“It is multifaceted. It takes into consideration all the different drivers of crime and violence, and through a very deliberative approach of using empirical testing instruments, the ministry seeks to identify those persons who may be at risk of committing acts of crime and violence, and through a case management approach, we work with them,” he outlined.

Through a partnership with the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, more than 30 schools located within Zones of Special Operations (ZOSOs) in Kingston, St James and St Andrew have been identified to receive case management assistance.

Simmonds explains that the process begins when the guidance counsellor identifies students that have high levels of disruptive or antisocial behaviour.

“The guidance counsellor then refers those children to the case management team. Students are then assessed by the [ministry’s] case management team, and the necessary support and intervention is provided,” he told JIS News.

Beneficiaries have been praising the team, highlighting the significant positive life changes they have been experiencing through their work.

Leroy Forbes and his 10-year-old son, Jaylee, who reside in the ZOSO community of Denham Town in Kingston Western, are among the persons who have participated in the case management programme.

He shares the extent to which the intervention helped bridge the gap in their relationship.

“Before, I wasn’t such a good dad. I spent less time with my [son] because most of us are garrison dads, [and] we spend more time out there hustling. So most times when our kids need us, we are not there. I used to shun my son and I didn’t listen to him. Sometimes [when] he [wanted] to explain something… really important, I would shun him,” Forbes contended.

He said the case management team’s intervention transformed his relationship with Jaylee, “ [so] I don’t do that anymore.”

“They definitely inspired us to be role models for our kids, for our families and the entire community. I learned to listen to my son. Now I realise that if you just give him a minute to talk, it would be better,” he added.

Forbes said he now has a positive perspective of the Ministry of National Security, pointing out that they inspired him to “show up” for his son.

“Usually, [only] his mother would attend certain things with him. I [now take] the time to come and support him. So he knows I am dedicated, and I am here for him in every way. His whole attitude is better, and I see leadership skills in him,” the doting father stated proudly.

Forbes offers some advice to other parents, especially fathers in his community, who may have experiences similar to his.

“Well, I would say to them that it’s a very impactful programme. If you can get involved, get involved. Every father should be a role model, be in your kid’s life, be a father. We are the head cornerstone, we are the person who they need most to be successful, so be there for your kids,” he says.

Meanwhile, Jaylee says, thanks to the ministry’s team, he is now better able to control his anger and has since been made a prefect at his school, St. Alban’s Primary and Infant in Kingston.

“I used to have a lot of anger, because if my friends pushed me, I would get angry and fight. But after going through the programme, I know the difference… there is good touch and bad touch. My teachers see that there is a change in my behaviour and, as you can see, school is going [well] because I am now a prefect,” he tells JIS News.

However, Jaylee says the greatest outcome for him is the strong positive relationship he now shares with his father.

He informs that they are often more playful with each other, adding that, “my dad doesn’t ‘cuss’ me anymore; sometimes we have fun in the house and watch movies and talk.”

Another beneficiary parent from Denham Town, Winsome Malcolm, who participated in the programme with her 11-year-old son, Keshaun Raymond, points out that anger was one of the main issues with him.

She says since the ministry’s case management intervention, she has witnessed remarkable improvements in his behaviour and general attitude.

“My son is doing very well. He improved a lot [in] anger management [and] can [now] control himself. He reads a lot [and] it helped him to improve in school. He is the head boy in school [St. Alban’s Primary and Infant],” the proud mother expressed.

Malcolm encourages parents experiencing challenges in their relationships with their children to participate in the programme, “because it really helps them a lot.”

Keshaun, who echoes his mother’s sentiments, speaks glowingly of his case manager and his ability to now control his anger through the tips he has learnt under the programme.

“My teachers say that I am doing well, and my community loves me too because I am the head boy,” the youngster states.