Getting a head start on success, the Guam Department of Education’s Head Start program received official word from the feds earlier than expected that it addressed all the deficiencies noted in the office of Head Start’s monitoring reports back in March of last year.

Angelina Lape, Acting Director of GDOE’s Head Start program is spearheading the progress.

“We were all just really happy and relieved and felt validated that all of our hard work paid off,” said Lape.

That hard work resulted in a thumbs up from the feds in previously deficient areas, with active supervision, background checks, and ensuring facilities are free from pollutants, hazards, and toxins checked off as corrected.

Lape added, “That focus on ongoing monitoring for oversight and correction really supported us in resolving all of the other areas.”

She added that under the pressure of a 90-day countdown, lead testing of the waters and paint in schools was conducted and cleared, staff and interns completed criminal background checks, including fingerprinting with the FBI, and put up fencing for staff to monitor children in a safe outdoor play area.

“We’re working right now on a playground improvement plan, which is the bid that is currently being reviewed by the Office of the Attorney General,” said Lape.

Meantime, Lape said this feat could not have been done without the help of so many.

She said, “All of these people stepped up to ensure that head start can continue for the next generation of children who need our services.”

A feeling of gratitude Guam Education Board Chair Dr. Mary Okada echoed following the positive outcome.

She said, “This took a whole effort–not just the Head Start department, but all of the head start centers, the team from facilities and maintenance, and, of course, the support of the superintendent and his administration.”