Press Releases

For Immediate Release                             Contact: Tionee Scotland

August 2, 2022                                                    340-201-6453

PRESS RELEASE

CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT PRESENTS $42.4M CHECK TO DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES HEAD START PROGRAM

ST. CROIX, USVI – Congresswoman Plaskett, a Member of the House Ways and Means, Budget and Agriculture Committees released the following statement after presenting a check to the Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner and the DHS Head Start program team:

“I am thrilled to celebrate a grant in the amount of $42.4 million dollars from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to the Virgin Islands Department of Human Services Head Start program. This funding is for construction grants and will require zero local match to fund the construction and restoration of facilities territory-wide.”

DHS Commissioner Kim Causey-Gomez shared, “The part that I love the best about being Commissioner is being able to serve all the populations of the Virgin Islands. We start with our little people in Head Start and our office of Child Care and we go all the way through every population. If we don’t do this right for our children, we will not be right for our community. Providing access to Head Start supports children’s growth by providing a positive learning environment through learning and development, health, and family well-being, all which have a positive impact on children’s preschool readiness. The Territory embraces this opportunity to effectively leverage the Federal dollars that will impact the early childhood education environment for the children of the Virgin Islands for generations to come. We are actively recruiting children for Head Start school year 2022-2023. Sign-up today!”

Also present were several other representatives from the Department of Human Services, including DHS Assistant Commissioner Carla Benjamin who stated that the grant funds will ensure that DHS is able to renovate, upgrade and build new facilities so that the territory’s children are able to learn in a rich environment. DHS Head Start Administrator, Masikia Lewis also shared that the landmark amount of funding that the territory’s Head Start program has been awarded will help construct state of the art, mega, multi-purpose head start centers around our territory.

The Director of the Office of Disaster Recovery, Mrs. Adrienne Williams-Octalien also shared, “We here at the Office of Disaster Recovery take deep pride in rebuilding the Virgin Islands. We call it a legacy of resilience.”

The Head Start program was launched in 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson as an eight-week demonstration project designed to help break the cycle of poverty. The program promotes the school readiness of infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children in a variety of settings including centers, family childcare, and children’s homes. Furthermore, this vital program engages parents or other key family members in positive relationships, with a focus on family well-being, and creates opportunities for participation in leadership roles, including feedback on program operations.

At the check presentation event, Congresswoman Plaskett also stated, “I would like to extend a special thank you to DHS Commissioner Gomez, Assistant Commissioner Benjamin and Head Start Administrator Masikia Lewis for the excellent work they do to support the children in our territory. We must remain unwavering in our commitment and in our advocacy and support for our next generations.”

Click here to view a recording of the check presentation event.

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