The Virgin Islands Children and Families Council, as chaired by First Lady Cecile de Jongh, met today to continue its work advancing Governor de Jongh’s agenda to improve the welfare of the Territory’s children and families. The meeting provided a key platform for discussion on various initiatives of the Council, including youth gang violence prevention; anti-bullying programs; drop-out prevention; early childhood education; child health; family economic security; ADA vocational summer programs; and poverty reduction.

First Lady Cecile de Jongh speaks with members of the Children and Families Council at Government House, St. Thomas on February 3, 2011

“The societal costs of failing to invest in young children and provide needed support services are far too great to simply maintain the status quo. Our efforts through the Children and Families Council, in line with the Governor’s vision to improve the delivery of services, is keenly focused on continuing to raise standards, heighten awareness, and implement cost-effective, data-driven policies as preventative measures to eliminate negative outcomes, such as crime, school failure, health problems, and poverty. Through these efforts, we will not avert every social ill, but will take strides in effectuating net benefits to society by decreasing the frequency and severity of these socio-economic challenges,” the First Lady said.

The three-hour work session featured presentations by each member of the Council, and was an opportunity to identify areas for further collaboration on initiatives underway and in development. 

Education Commissioner Dr. LaVerne Terry highlighted the progress of the Olweus Anti-Bullying Program, including school-based interventions planned, and relayed progress of the Longitudinal Data System, now in Phase One of operations. 

Police Commissioner Novelle E. Francis, Jr. spoke of recent arrests of gang members as part of his presentation on joint efforts in progress with other agencies of the Government of the Virgin Islands to curtail Territorial gang activity.

Members of the Children and Families Council assembled at Government House on February 3, 2011 to discuss key territorial programs and initiatives.

Housing Authority representatives Karen Ault and Zelda Williams provided updates on the revised Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the VIPD to improve safety and security in and around public housing communities, inclusive of a provision for an on-site VIPD presence in several housing communities in both districts. Ms. Ault also outlined VIHA’s after school tutorial programs, as well as other initiatives on adult literacy; computer literacy; the YouthBuild program for ages 16-24, which encompasses academic instruction and GED preparation; construction trade training; leadership development; technical training; parenting skills; and summer youth employment beautification, also known as “Teens Keeping it Clean.”

Housing, Parks, and Recreation Commissioner St. Claire Williams spoke of the department’s “zero tolerance” on graffiti at park facilities throughout the Territory and provided updates on the sports activities and programs available to youth, including afterschool, summer, and those designed to develop young athletes. Commissioner Williams also discussed the planned sports and entertainment complex for St. Croix, to include a new Paul E. Joseph baseball stadium as its anchor.

Labor Commissioner Albert Bryan, Jr. provided an update on the Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) program, as well as the Youthnet and Youth Council initiatives. These efforts each seek to engage the community, in collaboration with other departments and agencies of the Government, to holistically assist the Territory’s drop-out prevention efforts.

Human Services Commissioner Christopher Finch discussed the Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS), an initiative recently launched by the department to help daycare centers improve service delivery, develop staff, and ultimately implement a star-rating system so that parents and families can make informed decisions about their children’s early education needs. Commissioner Finch also updated the Council on the expansion of early Head Start programs.

Health representative Lynette George highlighted various programs that address child health, including the home visitation program and the WIC healthier foods initiative. In addition, Ms. George spoke of recent efforts with the Territory’s Healthcare Reform Implementation Task Force to expand eligibility and access to healthcare services.

Early Childhood Advisory Committee (ECAC) representative Ellie Hirsh provided recommendations to the Council on improving access to care, and advised of two initiatives: “text4baby,” which is a free, cell-phone-based service for pregnant mothers that will be available later this month, as well as a children’s health fair, scheduled for October 2011. Ms. Hirsh also spoke of the ongoing “Virtues Project,” as launched last year to inform the community of the “virtue of the week.” Alongside Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands president Dee Baecher Brown, Hirsh discussed the importance of the business community’s investment in early education and care programs as part of a comprehensive approach to nurturing the Territory’s continued progress, especially regarding workforce development and youth employability.

University of the Virgin Islands representative Dr. Noreen Michael discussed various community engagement and lifelong learning initiatives, including the SAT prep program, which prepares students in grades 9-12 for college and entering the workforce. UVI has a strong, working relationship with the Department of Education, specifically regarding an increased emphasis on professional development and teacher preparation for working with children and families, particularly from birth to age eight. 

ADA Coordinator Stephanie Barnes was invited to present to the Council the successes of the vocational summer program, to include the collaborative planning underway with Departments of Health and Labor, in providing resources and services to assist children with disabilities. As Territorial Coordinator, Ms. Barnes works with families to ensure that students with learning disabilities receive necessary skills training on academic and employment-focused tracks to provide support for their future years.

St. Croix Foundation President Roger Dewey discussed the success of the organization’s summer training program, in coordination with colleges and universities on the mainland, to introduce and orient sophomore and junior VI students to post-secondary education. The initiative funds skills training and college preparatory initiatives. 

“One of the important roles of the Council is to streamline services available to Virgin Islands residents with the larger goal of laying a foundation for the success of future generations. The hope is to collaborate wherever possible and continue to raise awareness on key programs and initiatives, ensuring that family health, education, and safety concerns are heeded so that opportunities for employment and economic self-sufficiency are realized,” the First Lady said.

Children and Families Council representatives include: First Lady Cecile de Jongh; Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor Pamela B. Berkowsky; Attorney General Vincent F. Frazer, Esq.; Education Commissioner Dr. LaVerne Terry; Housing, Parks, and Recreation Commissioner St. Claire Williams; Police Commissioner Novelle E. Francis, Jr.; Labor Commissioner Albert Bryan, Jr.; Health Commissioner Julia Sheen-Aaron, MPH; Human Services Commissioner Christopher Finch; VI Housing Authority Executive Director Robert Graham; UVI President Dr. David Hall; Family Connection Director Ellie Hirsh; Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands President Dee Baecher-Brown; St. Croix Foundation President Roger Dewey and Deanna James; and the St. John Nazareth Lutheran Church’s Pastor Samson. Thursday’s meeting was also attended by members of the Governor’s Executive Staff. 

In June 2008, Governor de Jongh signed an Executive Order creating the Children and Families Council “to study, plan, and recommend changes to improve the delivery of services to children and families.”