Gov. Bev Perdue is using money intended to help foster families and people with HIV to expand the state’s pre-kindergarten program.

(Raleigh News Observer) Gov. Bev Perdue is using money intended to help foster families and people with HIV to expand the state’s pre-kindergarten program.

The decision is drawing criticism from child and health advocates who said they worry that other children and adults who depend on health services may go without them.

Perdue announced last week that she would transfer $20 million from other state Department of Health and Human Services programs to expand N.C. Pre-K by as many as 6,300 4-year-olds. Her office did not say then where she was getting the money, but state officials said it would come from accounts where it would otherwise go unspent.

DHHS will continue to review expenses, said Chrissy Pearson, senior adviser to department Acting Secretary Al Delia. There could be future adjustments based on actual spending, she said.

Advocates of early childhood programs applauded Perdue when she announced the Pre-K expansion, but one withdrew his support when he found out where the money is coming from.

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