PHILIPSBURG:--- “There are a lot of things that parents are going through that people don’t know about. It breaks you apart. This program did a lot for me, and I am grateful for it. Thanks to the PPSP, I feel better and have a much better relationship with my daughter,” touching words, shared a parent attending the official launch of the Positive Parenting Support Program (PPSP), last Friday.
The launch event for the PPSP was hosted by the Government of Sint Maarten & UNICEF in the Netherlands. The event was attended by Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina, Minister of Education, Culture, Youth & Sports Melissa Gumbs, Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams, several government officials and civil servants, program stakeholders, community leaders, and parenting advocates, who celebrated the progress and potential of this initiative to empower parents and caregivers with tools to foster healthier family dynamics and child development.
The evening began with a warm welcome and opening remarks from Suzette Moses-Burton, Child Rights Advocate, UNICEF the Netherlands: “It is such a pleasure to be here today to mark the launch of the Positive Parenting Support Programme. This moment reflects years of hard work, dedication, and collaboration, and it brings me great pride to see it come to fruition. The PPSP embodies a collective vision of strengthening families to ensure a brighter future for the children of Sint Maarten.”
"This tailor-made parenting program represents a transformative approach to family well-being by fostering resilience, reducing violence, and supporting parents in culturally meaningful ways,” added Soraya Agard-Lake, Head of the Department of Youth, Government of Sint Maarten.
Newly appointed Minister of Education, Culture, Youth & Sport Melissa Gumbs expressed her commitment to the success of the program: “Today is not just a launch—it is a call to action. As a community, we must commit ourselves to ensuring the success of the PPSP. Teachers, community leaders, policymakers, and families—let us work together to create a culture where every parent feels empowered, and every child feels safe and valued.”
The program of the evening continued with a presentation by Olga Mussington-Service, Head of the Student Support Services Division (SSSD), who provided an overview of the program's journey, its objectives, and its vision for the future. Her presentation underscored the program’s comprehensive curriculum, which includes six core units.
“These units, in summary, encourage self-care and stress management for parents to build a positive home environment, offer practical strategies for communication, setting boundaries, and modeling constructive behavior. Parents learn how to strengthen bonds through effective communication and emotional intelligence, promoting non-violent, effective methods for guiding behavior - breaking cycles of violence and fostering safer family dynamics,” Mussington-Service explained.
Last year, as part of the development of the PPSP, 58 Facilitators and 18 Master Trainers were certified. The Master Trainers will be able to train others as Facilitators of the PPSP program to ensure sustainability. Courtney Wilson, alongside her colleagues at Judicial & Institutional Services (J&IS), has been using the curriculum to work with their clients – several of whom gave moving testimonies.
A single mother of three bravely shared her honest recount of being homeless, feeling hopeless, and events leading to her children ending up in temporary foster care. “When I was asked to follow the parenting workshop, I said yes immediately. It has helped me find a community of other parents, and I notice myself being more joyful, which makes me a better parent.”
Another client also emphasized the value of connecting and learning from other parents through the PPSP workshops: “Sharing my feelings and concerns with other parents without the fear of it being shared ‘on the road’ was wonderful. If there is another workshop – I am there!”
Cynthia Filemon, Director of Judicial & Institutional Services (J&IS) shared that the Foundation plans to submit a proposal for 12 months of PPSP support in 2025, aiming to bridge the program to state institutionalization and secure a sustainable future for its implementation.
The importance of sustainability of the PPSP program resonated with attendees, many of whom pledged their support to advancing the initiative, including Minister Gumbs: “Tonight was a great reminder of the power of collaboration. As your Minister, I am committed to supporting the program’s implementation and ensuring it reaches every corner of our island. The PPSP will not just be a project—it will be a movement toward stronger families and brighter futures for all.”
Colleen Wint-Bond, representing Parenting Partners Caribbean & University of the West Indies, Global Campus, provided the closing remarks, thanking the community and stakeholders who helped develop the PPSP. The PPSP was developed by the Government of Sint Maarten, with technical support from UNICEF, the Netherlands, and The University of the West Indies Global Campus, through the Caribbean Child Development Centre (CCDC), in partnership with Parenting Partners Caribbean (PPC). The PPSP is part of the Child Resilience and Protection Project (CRPP), financed by the Government of The Netherlands through the Sint Maarten Trust Fund and administered by the World Bank.
The event ended with a networking session, providing attendees the opportunity to exchange ideas and forge partnerships. Community members, facilitators, and stakeholders discussed ways to expand the reach of the PPSP and ensure it remains accessible to families across Sint Maarten.
“The PPSP represents a vital initiative for fostering positive family environments and supporting child development in Sint Maarten. By equipping parents and caregivers with skills that enhance their own well-being and their ability to nurture their children. With continued collaboration by NPO’s and Government, the PPSP is poised to make a lasting impact,” Shermina Powell-Richardson, Secretary General, Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth, & Sport, concluded.
