Monthly Report: June 2021 - Jamaica Positive Pathways Activity

under Contract No. 72053220C00001, with the primary goal of promoting peace and stability in Jamaica. The program is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and focuses on community-based initiatives to address violence and promote positive change. In June 2021, the program team conducted various activities aimed at achieving its objectives. The team met with CanopyLab to discuss the potential of developing online training courses related to Social Behavior Change (SBC), Social and Behavior Change (S4D), and Positive Youth Development (PYD). They also met with the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Information to explore the possibility of partnering on a school strategy in schools located in Zones of Special Operation. The program team implemented an interactive four-module virtual PYD training for Jamaican youth development workers, with 61 participants representing 22 organizations registering for the training. Sixteen participants completed all four sessions, and 15 completed three sessions. Additionally, the team conducted community visits and baseline assessments in five of the 12 targeted communities, meeting with 86 persons representing 12 organizations. The grants selection committee reviewed 16 community peacebuilding grants applications, recommending seven for funding and submitting them to USAID for approval. Six SBS concept note applications were received by the program, with two being ineligible due to incomplete training sessions. The remaining applicants will be reviewed in early July. The program also made significant progress in personnel recruitment, with the hiring process for the MEL Officer, Program Driver, and Program Officer complete. Start dates for these staff members are July 16, July 19, and August 16, respectively. Final candidates for the Finance Assistant and Office Attendant positions have been selected, with salary negotiations ongoing. The program achieved several notable milestones in June, including the publication of articles in the Jamaica Observer and The Gleaner highlighting the SBS training and PYD training. The program also resumed community-based travel in June, following a decline in COVID-19 cases in Jamaica. Looking ahead to July, the program anticipates conducting a Community Peacebuilding Grants signing ceremony, submitting SBS grant approvals to USAID, launching the S4D training workshop, and continuing community visits and baseline assessments. The program also plans to launch an RFA for family-assets training for all target communities, contract consultants for various activities, and onboard more staff members.