The Children and Families Council launched its USVI Leadership and Action program Thursday with an all-day session hosted by Gov. John deJongh Jr. at the University of the Virgin Islands on St. Thomas.
Representatives from both the public and private sectors, along with local non-profit organizations attended the launch and will be meeting every four to six weeks for 10 sessions over the next 14 months. Council chairwoman Cecile deJongh opened the workshop by discussing how early learning programs help children get prepared for school.
“Through this effort, you are empowered to help bring about real and effective change," she told participants. "Your demonstrated passion and caring for children, coupled with your overall contributions to the community, give you the power to truly help children who are at risk for academic success.”
The program is geared around making sure that "all children in the Virgin Islands are healthy and prepared to succeed in school," and participants will use data dealing with children from birth to eight years old, including the perpetuation of poverty and crime in local neighborhoods.
Experts have stressed the importance of early learning curriculum for children in this age group, saying it is a critical stage for academic development throughout their school career and later on in life. Program participants will be using two indicators — assessment and reading scores from the Iowa Test of Basic Schools, along with a learning accomplishment profile for at-risk children — as a guide to increasing opportunities for student success, according to a recent news release.
Participants in the program will also be trained in building school readiness and early childhood education programs in the territory — goals that have been laid out by the governor and his wife over the past few years and most recently in the state of the territory address.
"Today’s conference and the Leadership in Action Program bring together some of the community’s top advocates, including teachers, therapists, pastors, domestic violence counselors, business leaders, and other representatives from throughout the territory," the governor said Thursday. "As a group, they will delve into the complex, socio-economic factors that impact children’s ability to succeed in school, and later in life."
The Leadership in Action Program has been organized by the Office of the Governor, the University of Maryland and the Annie E. Casey Foundation, through the Children and Families Council.
Program participants have been nominated by members of the Children and Families Council, and on Thursday they discussed the various factors that can contribute to a student’s poor academic performance, including poverty, the absence of one or more parents, domestic violence, child abuse and poor nutrition, among other things. They also discussed what can help students succeed in school, including access to targeted reading programs, parent training classes and mentorship programs. The presence of nurturing adults and a family’s financial success are also contributing factors, they said.
The Children and Families Council’s permanent members include: Cecile deJongh; Pamela Berkowsky, deputy chief of staff, Office of the Governor; Attorney General Vincent F. Frazer; Education Commissioner LaVerne Terry; Police Commissioner Novelle E. Francis, Jr.; Housing, Parks & Recreation Commissioner St. Claire Williams; Labor Commissioner Albert Bryan; Health Commissioner Julia Sheen; Human Services Commissioner Christopher Finch; V.I. Community Foundation President Dee Baecher Brown; St. Croix Foundation Chief Financial Officer Deanna James; and Pastor Carlyle Samson of the Nazareth Lutheran Church on St. John.
