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PRESS STATEMENT

 CONGRESSWOMAN STACEY PLASKETT ANNOUNCES $700,000 GRANT FOR HEAD START PROGRAM IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

 Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (USVI), Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on the Interior, Energy, and Environment released the following statement regarding a $700,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for Head Start in the U.S. Virgin Islands awarded to Virgin Islands Department of Human Services:

“Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services granted the U.S. Virgin Islands $700,000 for Head Start which was awarded to the Virgin Islands Department of Human Services. Head Start promotes the school readiness of young children from low-income families through agencies in their local community. Head Start programs support the comprehensive development of children from birth to age 5, in centers, child care partner locations, and in their own homes. Head Start services include early learning, health, and family well-being.

“This important grant will benefit the Virgin Islands tremendously with our ongoing rebuilding efforts to make the Virgin Islands whole again after experiencing two devastating hurricanes. Head Start programs provide family-centered services for low-income families with very young children. These programs are designed to promote the development of children and to enable their parents to fulfill their roles and move toward self-sufficiency.

“This grant is important because Head Start programs support parents, both mothers and fathers, in their role as primary caregivers and teachers of their children. This programs assists families in meeting their own personal goals and achieving self-sufficiency across a wide variety of domains, such as housing stability, continued education, and financial security.”

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