Established in 2004, out of a merger of the Child Support Unit, the Child Services Division, and the Adoption Division, the Child Development Agency (CDA) is an Executive Agency under the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information. The Mission of the CDA is to be an extraordinary organization providing quality services for children, families and team members while transforming lives in a safe, secure and nurturing environment.
The CDA is governed by the Child Care and Protection Act (CCPA) and provides care to children deemed in need of care and protection by the Courts, and those who are awaiting the outcome of court proceedings. This entails investigation of cases, assessment of children brought into care, and the administration of programmes designed to provide a stable and nurturing living environment for the children. Established in 2004, out of a merger of the Child Support Unit, the Child Services Division, and the Adoption Division, the Child Development Agency (CDA) is an Executive Agency under the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information.
The Agency in its structure and use of resources is guided by the following core responsibilities for the child protection sector:
1. Provision of quality care for promoting the welfare of children in the care of the State
2. Safeguarding children from abuse through advocacy and public education
3. Maintaining children within their families wherever possible and supporting families in meeting their essential social care needs
4. Investigating reports of child abuse
5. Providing regulatory oversight of Residential Child Care Facilities
