Parents can comment next week on a new report detailing government and private services available to young V.I. children and outlining plans to improve early childhood care.
The meetings—Monday on St. Thomas and Tuesday on St. Croix—will be held at 6 p.m. in each island’s curriculum center.
Everyone interested in programs to improve health care and education for the territory’s young children can review the report: “Early Childhood Advisory Committee Strategic Report” online at the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands website, according to a statement from Government House. The report can be downloaded as a PDF file.
“Based on recent research in the fields of neuroscience, education, psychology and economics, it is now recognized that the years from birth to age five are the most critically important for human development and are predictive of long term outcomes—academically, economically, and socially,” the report begins.
The Committee on Early Childhood Education and Care, a standing committee of Gov. John deJongh Jr.’s Children and Families Council, produced the draft strategic report. The committee, which acts as the territory’s advisory council to meet federal requirements, has 24 child welfare professionals from various government departments and private and nonprofit organizations as its members.
The report contains the advisory committee’s strategic plan; an assessment of the quality and availability of early childhood education and development programs and services; recommendations for improvements to the system; and an account of the committee’s activities thus far.
Copies of the report will be available to the public for inspection and comment through Friday, at all public and UVI libraries on St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix, as well as at The Family Connection in Vitraco Mall on St. Thomas. Comments may also be submitted by email.
“Anyone interested in the well-being of the territory’s young children can come take a look at our strategic plan," deJongh said in a statement. "I believe this plan presents our best effort to make sure all V.I. children receive high-quality health care and education even before they enter kindergarten, but we are certainly interested in input from members of the community who have knowledge and insight they want to share,” deJongh said.
The report and hearings are mandated by the Improving Head Start Act of 2007.
