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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 that prompted a funding adjustment. The Department said the Office of Head Start was notified in a May 20 letter that, because of prolonged under‑enrollment, federal funding will be reduced and that DHS plans to appeal that decision.
Masika Lewis, Head Start administrator, reported that current enrollment is 631 students: 370 on St. Croix (20 classrooms), 261 on St. Thomas (13 classrooms), and 20 on St. John (1 classroom). The program reported 67 enrolled children with documented special‑needs plans (14 IEPs and 53 IFSPs) and an additional 41 children who are pending evaluation by the Department of Education.
DHS told senators it is constructing five new Head Start facilities—Crucian Bay, Bolongo, Mineta Mitchell, Lindbergh and Anas Hope—with staggered completion dates through late 2025, and noted the recent completion of one site. The department also reported a current wait list of about 354 eligible children for the next school year (149 on St. Croix, 188 on St. Thomas, 17 on St. John), and said it will continue outreach and recruitment. DHS also described standard health and developmental screenings (vision, hearing, dental, lead, immunizations) and said it coordinates with the Department of Health and the Department of Education for services and transition planning.
Committee members pressed DHS on staffing and vacancies; DHS reported approximately 25 federally funded vacancies, including teacher and assistant teacher positions, and that most openings are posted through the Division of Personnel and are subject to Head Start regional vetting. Senators asked DHS and the Department of Education to expedite evaluations for children suspected of special needs and for the agencies to coordinate on payment and service delivery.
Ending: DHS said it will appeal the immediate funding reduction, complete facility projects, continue recruitment and return to the committee with updates on the appeal and proposed staffing plans.
