The Department of Community Development and Social Services is a government entity that primarily serves a dual role. It is responsible for providing social assistance services and fostering community advancement efforts geared towards meeting the needs of the most vulnerable households/individuals and positively impacting communities.
Mission Statement
Enhancing the lives of citizens and residents through premium social protection and community development service delivery.
Vision Statement
The Department of Community Development and Social Services will operate as a dynamic and shock responsive organization that delivers transformative social and community-driven services aimed at sustainable human advancement.
The Department is guided by the Statement of Philosophy & Principles.
Our values and beliefs require that we are:
- Professional
- Client Focused
- Gender Sensitive
- Team Focused
- Integrity Focused
- Confidential
- Impartial
- Transparent and Accountable
- Efficient
- Evidence Driven
- Effective
Principles include:
- Social Justice
- Participation
- Equality
- Learning
- Cooperation
motto
The Lifeline of a Caring Nation
Policy and programmatic objectives
The Department’s Policy and programmatic objectives are integrated in the following documents:
- National Social Protection Strategy
- Community Development Strategic Document
- Department’s Operations Manual
- Government’s Estimates 2020
Services offered
Our tagline, “L.I.F.T. SKN”, reflects our commitment to elevating lives across St. Kitts and Nevis. Through a range of initiatives, we offer:
- Cash Benefits: Up to EC$600 per month to eligible families.
- Information Sessions: Tailored to expressed and implied needs.
- Skills Development: Opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Referral Services: Connecting families with essential programs and resources.
A monthly food voucher is made payable to the head of a household for one (1) to two (2) years on behalf of the needy persons in that said household.
Vulnerability is measured in part by an income and expense analysis of the household. Where the remaining balance from the income is less than the minimum disposable income threshold, a food voucher benefit will be considered. The amount granted is typically based on the amount of dependents that require the assistance.
Vouchers are valued as follows:
- For a family of one to two persons $200.00
- For a family of three to four persons $300.00
- For a family of more than four persons $400.00
Requirements for applications are as follows:
- Government-issued Identification Card (ID) of applicant
- Pay Slip
- Copies of utility bills (eg. electricity, water) and other expenses including cable, internet, hire purchase, loans, insurance, etc.
It is important to note that a National Household Registry (NHR) Assessment will be conducted at the applicant’s home to further determine the household’s level of vulnerability.
A Funeral Grant of up to EC$1,000.00 is granted on behalf of a deceased person whose family or guardian does not have sufficient resources to settle the burial expenses.
Requirements for applications are as follows:
- Government-issued Identification Card (ID) of applicant
- Pay Slip
- A Copy of the Death Certificate
- Quotation from the chosen Funeral Home showing the full expense of the funeral
- Copies of utility bills (eg. electricity, water) and other expenses (eg. cable, internet, hire purchase, loans, insurance, etc).
- Evidence of Life Insurance for the deceased (if applicable)
- Evidence of Indemnity Plan with Credit Union, Eastern Benevolence Society Funeral Plan or any other death insurance plan (if applicable)
In order to be eligible for a funeral grant, the total cost of the funeral cannot be more than EC$10,000. Vulnerability is measured by an income and expense analysis of the household.
Once application is approved, payment is made directly to the funeral home.
Medical Assistance is granted to a citizen of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis who is unable to settle medical related expenses for primary, secondary or tertiary level medical care. It is granted based on the outcome of the applicant’s income and expense analysis.
The maximum payable benefit to an individual is $5000.00 USD.
Medical assistance is inclusive of the following:
- Airline tickets for overseas treatments
- Medication
- Eye Glasses
- Surgeries
- Radiation
- Chemotherapy
- CT Scan
- MRI
- X-Rays
- Ultrasounds
- Mammograms
Requirements for applications are as follows:
- Government-issued Identification Card (ID) of applicant
- Copies of utility bills (eg. electricity, water) and other expenses (eg. cable, internet, hire purchase, loans, insurance, etc).
- Quotation of requested medical service
- Completed Medical Report form by applicant’s Doctor (forms can be collected at the Victoria Road Office in Basseterre)
This assistance is granted to an individual or household who has suffered loss as a result of a fire.
The application for Fire Victim Assistance MUST be completed by the individual or head of household who was affected by the fire.
The following are services provided for items destroyed by fire as specified in the fire report:
- Emergency Food Voucher
- School Uniform Assistance (if applicable)
- Bed (if destroyed)
- Completed C101 Form for Duty Free Concession for onward submission to and approval by Ministry of Finance
Requirements for applications are as follows:
- Report from Fire Department
- Report of Items Lost
The Department liaises with agencies such as the Red Cross Society to more holistically assist families.
Annual Programmes and Activities
School uniforms are granted to most needy families who foresee a difficulty in providing school uniforms for their child/children to attend school at the start of each academic year.
Applications MUST be completed by the custodial parent or legal guardian of the said child/children. The application process usually starts during May of each year. Both uniforms and school shoes are granted using a newly-established criteria that takes into consideration applicants’ level of need or deprivation.
Requirements for applications are as follows:
a. Government-issued Identification Card (ID) of applicant
b. Pay Slip Child/Children’s Birth Certificate for first-time applicants
c. Correct Uniform Size(s)
d. Copies of utility bills (eg. electricity, water) and other expenses (eg. cable, internet, hire purchase, loans, insurance, etc)
e. Acceptance Letter
f. Tuition Fee Payment Receipt
Community Development
The Community Development arm of the Department is established to aid in facilitating the creation of an enabling environment which allows for active participation of community members in the identification, formulation, implementation and monitoring of their own development solutions.
The objectives involved in the process are:
a. Social development and economic growth enabled
b. The enhancement of capacity of community members – so that they are empowered to articulate their needs, plan, implement and monitor programs that are beneficial to their development – enhanced
c. Inter-agency collaboration and partnerships between government, non-government, donor agencies and other service agencies is enhanced
d. Sustainable development through community ownership of programs which facilitate their own development is enabled.
Community Development Officer
The purpose of a Community Development Officer (CDO) is to work with individuals and groups in the community so that they are enabled and empowered to enhance their social and economic condition for the betterment of themselves and the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis by providing community direction which:
1. Begins a process that empowers communities to participate in self-reliant sustainable inclusive programs
2. Engages others to build social capital, reduce isolation and anti-social behaviours in communities
3. Fosters an environment which brings about meaningful social and economic change to individuals and communities
4. Engages and enhance participatory governance and accountability in St. Kitts and Nevis
5. Ensures effective management of assigned community centers
Contact Listing
Name: Osslyn Ward-Harris
Designation: Director
Assignment: The Dept. & Saddlers Home
Email: Osslynharris.govkn@gmail.com
Telephone: 467-1222/1314
Name: Erslyn Bridgewater
Designation: Senior Community Development Officer
Assignment: All Areas/Zones
Email: Erslynbridgewater.govkn@gmail.com
Telephone: 467-1315
Name: Ms. Elrose Williams
Designation: Deputy Diretor
Email: elrose.williams@gov.kn
Telephone:(869) 467-3675
Name: Ms. Jozelle Leader
Designation: Junior Clerk
Email: jozelleleader.govkn@gmail.com
Telephone: (869) 467-2675
Name: Dahlia Scarborough
Designation: Case Manager
Assignment: Zones 1 and II
Email: Dahliascarborough.govkn@gmail.com
Telephone: 767-048
Name: Tashine J Stevens
Designation: Case Manager
Assignment: Zones III & 4A
Email: Tashinehenvillestevens.govkn@gmail.com
Telephone: 467-1224
Name: Larissa Riley
Designation: Social Assistance Officer
Assignment: Zones III (Challenger-Sandy Point)
Email: Larissariley.govkn@gmail.com
Telephone: 466-8699/667-3209
Name: Rhyllis Wattley
Designation: Social Assistance Officer
Assignment: Zones 4B (Parsons – Christ Church)
Email: Rhylliswattley.govkn@gmail.com
Telephone: 662-5405
Name: Kedauna Gumbs
Designation: Social Assistance Officer
Assignment: Zone II (West Basseterre – Palmetto Point)
Email: Kedaunagumbs.govkn@gmail.com
Telephone: 763-8463
Name: Carisma Mulley
Designation: Social Assistance Officer
Assignment: Zone 4A (Newton Ground-Dieppe Bay)
Email: Carismamulley.govkn@gmail.com
Telephone: 763-6483
Name: Delicia Crawford
Designation: Social Assistance Officer
Assignment: Canana Estate
Email: Deliciacrawford.govkn@gmail.com
Telephone: 667-3048
Name: Chantelle Pemberton
Designation: Community Development Officer
Assignment: Zone I
Email: shantellepemberton.govkn@gmail.com
Name: Delroy Prentice
Designation: Community Development Officer
Assignment: Zone II
Email: Delroyprentice.govkn@gmail.com
Name: Dorothy Caines
Designation: Community Development Officer
Assignment: Zone III
Email: Dorothycaines.govkn@gmail.com
Name: Carolyn French
Designation: Community Development Officer
Assignment: Zone 4A & 4B
Email: Carolynfrench.govkn@gmail.com
Name: Chadi Garnette
Designation: Community Development Officer
Assignment: Zone 4B
Email: Chadigarnette.govkn@gmail.com
Name: Haniff Charles
Designation: Community Development Officer
Assignment: Zone V
Email: Haniffcharles.govkn@gmail.com