The Special Needs Association of Providenciales (SNAP) Centre, located in Kew Town has been burglarized and stripped of all its contents, the Ministry of Health said in a news release.
"The Ministry of Health and Human Services wishes to advise the public that the SNAP Centre within the Special Needs Unit, was burglarized over the weekend of August 12, 2022, and a second attempt was made on the 16th August, 2022," the ministry said in the statement.
The ministry said that various items were stolen inclusive of cleaning supplies, school supplies, food items, appliances, television, microwaves, towels, sheets, comforters and other specialized manipulatives.
This blatant, criminal act has impacted the lives of our society’s’ most vulnerable as the life skills room and early childhood program has been completely derailed.
Ms. Betty-Ann Been, Director of Special Needs Unit stated that, “this is unfortunate and disheartening, for such an institution providing educational and life skills opportunity for children with special needs.”
The origins of The SNAP Centre, formally P.A.T.H. Centre were based on the community efforts as it was started by a group of parents of children with special needs and advocates of special needs.
Subsequently, through consultation and a common goal, the initiative became a joint partnership with Government. In 2010, the Turks & Caicos Islands Government fully assumed responsibility for the program as it continues to make great strives over the years.
The SNAP Centre provides intellectual and life skills opportunities for children and young persons that have been assessed with various developmental delays between the ages of 3-21 years, using the Individual Educational Program.
As investigations are ongoing, the Special Needs Unit encourages the general public to report any information anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 (TIPS) that is answered in Miami, Florida or the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, Chalk Sound Police Station at 338-5901 or 941-8082.
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