FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Alexandria, Virginia – Hopkins House today expressed strong support for Alexandria City Manager James F. Parajon’s proposed FY27 budget, released to the Alexandria City Council on February 24, 2026. The $977.3 million proposal includes significant new investments in early childhood support and intervention services, including case management and family support, home visits, child healthcare referrals, and expanded funding for nonprofit partners delivering critical services to Alexandria families.
In a letter to the mayor and members of the Alexandria City Council, the Hopkins House Trustees expressed their appreciation for the budget’s clear prioritization of children and families during this challenging economic period. The Trustees also voiced strong support for the broader investments outlined in the proposed spending plan, noting that these proposals reflect a shared commitment to building a healthy, thriving, and equitable community for Alexandria’s children, youth, and families.
The proposed budget increases funding for the Alexandria Fund for Human Services from $1,996,430 to $2,546,430 — an unprecedented $550,000 increase representing a 27.5% expansion. A grant through the Fund supports Hopkins House’s Early Childhood Learning Institute (ECLI), which helps low-resourced city residents earn professional certifications, gain practical work experience, complete college coursework, and secure permanent employment in the early childhood education field. Over the past two years, Hopkins House has worked alongside other Alexandria nonprofits advocating for updated grantmaking guidelines and increased investment in the Fund to better meet the community’s evolving needs.
In addition, the City Manager’s proposed spending plan allocates an additional $712,352 to the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) to strengthen early childhood initiatives, including programs such as Hopkins House’s Family Support Services which offers vital support to families navigating food and housing insecurity, accessing government assistance programs, managing special-needs challenges, and coping with emotional crises triggered by recent layoffs and economic uncertainty. Together, these proposals total $1,270,353 in new investments that directly benefit Alexandria’s children and working families and help stabilize and strengthen long-term outcomes for young people, their families, and the broader community.
“We are delighted by this proposed increased investment in the Alexandria Fund for Human Services, early childhood education, and other programs for youth and families,” said Julie N. Jakopic, Chair of the Hopkins House Public Policy & Advocacy Committee. “If approved by City Council, this significant investment will provide a much-needed lift for the city’s nonprofits and the children and families they serve.”
