Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Department of Human Services reports Head Start enrollment shortfall but construction, waitlist signal recovery
Summary
DHS officials told the Senate Health Committee that Head Start funding was trimmed after prolonged under‑enrollment; the territory is rebuilding capacity with five construction projects, maintains a wait list for next school year and will appeal the immediate funding adjustment.
The Virgin Islands Department of Human Services told the Committee on Health, Hospitals and Human Services that the territory's Head Start program faces a shortfall in funded enrollment after prolonged under‑enrollment linked to post‑hurricane relocation and the COVID‑19 pandemic.
"The Virgin Islands Department of Human Services Office of Head Start has been the Head Start grantee for more than 50 years," Commissioner Avril George said, summarizing the program's role. Administrators reported a funded enrollment of 794 children under the current grant, with actual enrollment at 631 — a territorywide under‑enrollment of roughly 20 percent…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
