Federal Grant Award Summary

The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Human Services, Office of the Commissioner, received a Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Discretionary award of $5.16 million from the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Child Care (CFDA 93.575). The award, effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2028, supports the provision of child care subsidies and services to low-income families across the territory. Under this block grant mechanism, the awardee will utilize funds to improve child care accessibility and quality through vouchers or certificates distributed to eligible families, while concurrently enhancing child care quality infrastructure for both subsidized and unsubsidized children.

As the designated lead agency for the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Department of Human Services is responsible for developing and implementing a three-year Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) plan that outlines the intended use of block grant funds in compliance with the CCDBG Act. The agency must establish appropriate payment rates, implement a sliding fee scale for families, and coordinate child care services with other federal, state, and local early childhood development programs. Additionally, the department is required to conduct public hearings and maintain transparency regarding the allocation and utilization of these federal resources to serve residents across the Virgin Islands.