Being Prepared for Hurricanes
Rapid support for children who witness violence
How can teachers be informed so that they can better support children in need? The answer is simple: by letting the school know, without giving details about the case. Marga…
Editorial: Child Protection Working Group
Kimberly Dort Brown Interim Director Court of Guardianship,Ministry of JusticeMember CPWG Introduction to the Child Protection Working GroupThe Child Protection Working Group (CPWG) is an inter-ministerial group, with representatives from…
A safety plan for each school
After Hurricane Gonzalo in 2014, the Student Support Services Division learned that although some schools did have plans in place, many only covered the infrastructural side. Today, the schools are…
Everyone needs someone they can rely on
Support, consistency and understanding. That is what children in foster care need most, says James Brooks, who grew up in a foster home. His advice: avoid that children have to…
Handle with Care
Rapid support for children who witness violence How can teachers be informed so that they can better support children in need? The answer is simple: by letting the school know,…
Return to Happiness
Trauma-sensitive support at schools started after Irma After the devastation of hurricane Irma in 2017, more psychosocial support was needed in schools. This led to the implementation of the Return…
The effect of childhood trauma
Children who receive adequate support from their families or other adults are often better able to deal with traumatic experiences – be it the consequences of a hurricane or child…
Preparing children for a disaster
“Every child is unique, which means each child will have different needs or strengths”, says Leona Neptune, a psychologist at Student Support Services Division (SSSD). The same goes for coping…
The SSSD: supporting students in many ways
The Student Support Services Division (SSSD) supports students, so that they can reach their full potential. This support is provided by diverse professionals through a wide range of services and…
Teens sharing the mental imprint left by a hurricane
The book Hurricanes and Rainbows comprises a series of stories written by teenagers on Sint Maarten. The project, initiated by psychologist Caroline van Oost and the White and Yellow Cross…