The Office of Child Care within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Administration for Children and Families awarded the U.S. Virgin Islands $750,112 in December 2018 for its Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5) initiative to assess its current early childcare and education capabilities, and strategically plan solutions to build a strong foundation for every child in the Territory.  

Grants were awarded to 45 states and territories in amounts ranging from $538,000 to $10,620,000, depending on the proposed plans. Grantees, including the USVI, will have the opportunity to apply for renewal of the grant prior to the end of 2019.

There could be no better timing for this grant award. In September 2017, two Category-5 hurricanes made landfall in the U.S. Virgin Islands and significantly disrupted many systems in the Territory, particularly healthcare, education, human services and housing. It is fitting the Territory is afforded this unique opportunity to collaborate with key stakeholders that include providers, educators, clients and policymakers who contribute to the mixed-delivery system through service delivery – either directly or indirectly.

Simply, the PDG B-5 project is intended to:

• strengthen the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECE) mixed-delivery system in the USVI;
• improve the quality of care;
• foster collaboration and partnerships among ECE providers;
• maximize available, high-quality ECE options for low-income and disadvantaged families, and
• maximize parental choice among USVI ECE programs and providers. 

(author abstract)