By Steve Ames, Regional Coordinator for Central Vermont and Lamoille Regions A few months back I spoke with the Co Chair of the ECAP Family and Communities Committee Shannon Hottinger. Shannon lives in Warren with her family and answered some questions for me. Thank you Shannon for your ongoing work for Vermont’s young families! Shannon, […]
by Julie Cadwallader Staub Early Learning Challenge, Race to the Top Director Elissa couldn’t believe it when she saw the phone number come up on her phone. Could it be? This mom whom Elissa had been reaching out to since October, when her son’s chronic absences from kindergarten first landed in Elissa’s in-box? There are […]
by Julie Cadwallader Staub Early Learning Challenge, Race to the Top Director How does a new mom, overwhelmed and isolated in rural Vermont with two older children and newborn, find her way to consistent support and assistance for herself and her family? How about a community café, open to all, focused on mothering support? Or […]
The Vermont Early Childhood Action Plan (VECAP) is designed to build collective accountability to achieve measurable 2026 goals: 1. All children have a healthy start 2. Families and communities play a leading role in children’s well-being 3. All children and families have access to high-quality opportunities that meet their needs 4. The early childhood system […]
Drum roll please… We are so excited to announce the publication of TWO big projects to help Vermont be a better place for our children and families. Over 300 stakeholders helped inform these documents; creating an equitable and inclusive system for each and every child takes all of us. Together, we are the engineers of […]
By Dawn Powers Are you a parent or do you know a parent who struggles with finding quality, affordable, and accessible childcare? You are not alone. The Challenge According to the 2018 Lets Grow Kids’ Stalled at the Start report, childcare in Vermont remains at a critical shortage across the state and in each county. […]
By Dora Levinson Appreciative Inquiry is a philosophy that looks at systems and asks the question, ‘What’s right?’ rather than ‘What’s wrong?’. There is no doubt that early childhood systems in Vermont face significant challenges. Families struggle to have their basic needs met. There are not enough accessible child care and early learning opportunities. Service […]
Recently, a Springfield Area Building Bright Futures Council had a member transition from a family home care provider to a position within a school district. After taking this position she learned just how much she was unaware about her students’ readiness for kindergarten from the kindergarten teacher’s perspective. If information is not communicated from elementary […]