Mrs. Stacie T. Stoutt-James, Division Head of Family Children and Protective Services in the Social Development Department.

Mrs. James participating in the Drive Blue/Wear Blue event in 2011

Mrs. Stacie Stoutt -James at Senior's Citizen Christmas Dinner 2010

Division Head for Family, Children and Protective Services in the Social Development Department (SDD) within the VI, Mrs. Stoutt-James said because she lives a very public professional life, she tries to live a very quiet personal life.

In her profession, Mrs. James stated that she oversees parenting workshops, the Department’s mentorship programme, foster care and adoption, the social assistance programme, legal aid and care and protection services of families within the jurisdiction governed by the VI.

Mrs. James attended the BVI High School now called the Elmore Stoutt High School. After being granted admission into the University of the Virgin Islands, she received a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Psychology in 1997.

Mrs. Stoutt-James indicated that while in her last year of college, she applied for a summer internship at the Social Development Department, where she had an opportunity to work during the opening of Rainbow Children's Home. She said in life she had always seen herself being a psychologist but that summer changed her life.

"I always wanted to be a psychologist, but the summer of 1997 when they opened the Rainbow Children's Home, which was the same year of my internship, me having an opportunity to be involved, and being exposed to helping families that were in need, I really liked it, so I started thinking how I can change my career path, so I applied to SDD after completing my studies at UVI and was hired the following year, February 1998.”

She stated that although her career choice might not be the most glamorous job, or high on the pay scale, the important thing is that she is making a difference in people’s lives.

"It’s not on a wide scale, but one family at a time and one child at a time. I like the satisfaction and the feeling it gives me. Making an impact in somebody having a better life because, I assisted them by linking them to a resource in the community, that they probably didn’t know existed, that is life changing for me."

Our Young Professional stated that all of these factors combined, are why she chose this career for her life.

She shared with this media house that growing up she was exposed to domestic violence and back then she was not aware that agencies like SDD existed. She said that she experienced difficulties coping with what she was going through.

"Working that first summer at the Social Development Department as an intern opened my eyes, it made me realize that I have an opportunity to help somebody who is going through the same thing that I went through as a child, and didn’t know about the resources.”

She stated that as much as the hours are tough and the stress level can be high at times, she is devoted to her job.

"In order to achieve success in the lives that I touch, I think that devotion makes a difference, I think that one has to be devoted to those who are in need, and be able to relate to people’s hurts and needs with no judgment or biases."

While working at the SDD as a Social Worker, she applied to do her master’s degree and with the Government’s help, she was afforded the opportunity to receive her Master’s Degree in Social Work at Clarke Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia.

She studied there from 2003- 2005, when she returned home in 2005, she was offered the position of Division Head of Family and Children Services and has been there ever since.

Out of so many people that she looks up to, she used this opportunity and thanked her late Aunt Miranda Stoutt-Thompson for keeping her in line and making her the woman she is today.

"She was one of the persons in my life that turned me around, I was exposed to some domestic violence coming up with my parents and my aunt was my refuge, she showed me a different way of life, I acted out in school and home, displayed behavioral problems and issues, my aunt was a child of God and by turning me around, she placed Christian principles in me, she showed me a different path that I could take."

Along with her aunt, she recognized a former Social Worker, Mrs. Eugenie Todman-Smith. She labeled Mrs. Smith as one of the pioneers of Social Work in the Virgin Islands. "She is one of those persons who paved the way for people like me in the social work profession, she did so much with so little back then and I admire her for it and its those kind of persons I stand on the backs of."

Along with being Division Head in SDD, she is the Coordinator of the Big Brothers/ Big Sisters Programme.

Mrs. Stoutt-James has other aspirations and would love to do other humanitarian services, such as starting her own private shelter.

"I understand that the State cannot do it alone, and as a citizen I have a responsibility to do more. There is so much need I would want to get into, it might not have great financial returns, but the satisfaction of knowing I assisted a family, knowing that a child didn’t go to bed hungry or is no longer in an abusive environment because I created a healthier option for them."

When not working, she enjoys time with her immediate family, her two sons; Symarj Bobb (12 years old) and Savion James (3 years old) and her husband David R. James.

She said looking back on her life she would change nothing professionally, she loves her job and loves the diversity of it. "I like that I get a chance to be involved in programmes, I like the advocacy part of it, the therapeutic part and all the arms that makes me able to tell anyone that my job is never monotonous.”

Mrs. Stoutt-James said she would like to encourage young Virgin Islanders to be “devoted” because what you put in is what you will get out.

"You may not start where you want to start, but when you have pride in your work, and a level of pride in how you carry yourself; you will be respected and wouldn’t remain where you are. At the end of the day you have to be hard working, whatever you do always put your best foot forward.”