Jamaica

Child Engagement

Barrel Children who are left behind face a barrage of risk factors, including physical and psychological risk factors. Our goal is to increase protective factors in Barrel Children; while decreasing risk factors, so that they can thrive. 

Evidence-based recommendations, include:

Recommendations

Crawford-Brown and Rattray (2001) list the child’s inherent temperament as a protective factor against separation. They also list ways that protective factors can be increase in children left behind. For the pre-emigration phase, they recommend pre-emigration counseling for children left behind. They also recommend educational material placed in embassies so parents can know ways of staying in contact with children. It is also recommended that as part of the emigration process, parents are educated about the developmental stages of children and how separation can disrupt that. They also recommend that the government develop and expand parenting education programs so that parents know the risks associated with leaving children behind.

Crawford-Brown and Rattray (2001) also recommend that countries like Jamaica should develop a system whereby the country is notified of where Barrel Children are living and develop preventative programs to address the needs of these children and families. They (2001) further recommend that children who may be at risk for emotional and behavioral problems be identified and provided with the necessary help.

In the reunification stage it is critical that children are prepped before going to live in another country with the parents. According to Crawford-Brown and Rattray (2001), it is important that children know what to expect when going to a new country to join parents and they should also be counseled and educated about what problems may surface as they begin to integrate into a new society and family. Furthermore, they assert (2001), “[Learning material] should be presented in age appropriate formats in manuals, books, and videotapes” (Crawford-Brown and Rattray, 2001),

The host country should also work to promote protective factors in the immigrant child. Ways of doing this, according to Crawford-Brown and Rattray (2001), include orientation programs. They (2001) believe that West Indian social clubs and churches should be utilized in developing, implementing and maintaining these strategies. Crawford-Brown and Rattray (2001), highlight a number of ways that reunification can be facilitated. They (2001) point to showing parents how to maintain contact with children through technology. In addition, they 2001) believe that it is important for there to be programs addressing language barriers and helping the newly arrived child navigate host country’s educational system. They (2001) also recommend therapy for these children and families. Crawford-Brown and Rattray (2001) also recommend parenting workshops for parents of children left behind.