16/05/2026
Today, the Community Rehabilitation Department (CRD) under the Ministry of Human Development, Family Support and Gender Affairs, in collaboration with the UNDP Belize, successfully hosted a Multisectoral Stakeholder Consultation focused on strengthening the National Diversion Program and the overall work of CRD.
The National Diversion Program provides children who enters the justice system an opportunity to receive guidance, rehabilitation, and support services outside of the formal court process, with the aim of promoting accountability, positive behavioral change, and successful reintegration into society.
Facilitated by Ms. Diana Shaw (Consultant), the consultation brought together key stakeholders for meaningful discussions on updating CRD’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and the National Diversion Program Protocols. The discussions were insightful and highly informative, offering valuable perspectives from across sectors on strengthening responses for children who enter the justice system.
The consultation also reaffirmed the importance of a shared, collaborative approach in addressing the behavioral challenges affecting our young people, recognizing that positive outcomes for children and young persons can only be achieved through collective responsibility across families, schools, communities, and partner agencies.
We sincerely thank all participants for their engagement and contributions. The level of dialogue reflected a strong commitment to improving systems and ensuring better outcomes for the children and families we serve.
CRD will continue engaging key partners and stakeholders over the coming months as we work toward more effective, responsive, and youth-centered practices.
