Child Care At Original Mount Vernon High School In Federal Funding Request

MOUNT VERNON, VA — The child care center at Original Mount Vernon High School could get a boost if a community funding request is approved in the federal budget.

Rep. Don Beyer (D-Alexandria), who represents the Richmond Highway corridor in the 8th congressional district, made 15 community project funding requests for the latest budget. Members of Congress may include up to 15 community project funding requests in each annual budget. Requests may only come from governments, public institutions and nonprofits.

Funding of community projects is not guaranteed, and timing depends on when Congress passes the federal budget.

"The Community Project Funding requests I submitted on behalf of Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, and Fairfax would provide funding focused on expanding affordable housing, a major need in Northern Virginia," said Beyer in a statement. "They would also support infrastructure improvements, crime prevention efforts, the expansion of early childcare, and more."

Beyer's funding request for Original Mount Vernon High School seeks $1,500,000 in federal funding for the child care center. The funding would expand the child care center already planned at the Fairfax County-owned facility at 8333 Richmond Highway, Alexandria, VA. The early child care center, which will serve children up to age 5, would be expanded in size with the additional funding and serve an estimated 86 additional children, according to Beyer's request.

The Original Mount Vernon High School is a former high school that sits on what was once part of George Washington's land. Today, Fairfax County owns the facility and is planning a renovation project to turn it into a human development center. The county is planning components such as education programs, workforce development programs, life skills development programs; art, recreation, child care, business incubation spaces. Some uses have already opened, including the South County Teen Center and Senior Center, a renovated gym, satellite Fire Marshal’s Office for South County and a Fairfax County Public Schools registration site.