Orleans and Northern Essex counties are known for beautiful unspoiled landscapes, and remote, sparsely populated communities. For families with young children, making social connections can be challenging. In several communities in Orleans and Northern Essex counties, community playgroups are being offered at a variety of venues, but with similar goals-to increase social connections by providing […]
Read MoreThanks to a small group of dedicated individuals, the Early Childhood Pathway that was inactive at the Windham Regional Career Center will be restarted this week. The program now has an advisory board, an updated curriculum (including a new course on The Art and Science of Teaching from Melissa Mroz-Gaskill), and a group of students […]
Read MoreAt the top of the November Rutland BBF Council meeting Sue Densmore presented Liz King with the Vermont Early Childhood Conference Pay it Forward Award for her continued advocacy for young children. CONGRATULATIONS Liz! Just Play, No Way: The Council decided to move the Annual event to Feb 8 at Rutland Regional Medical Center (pending […]
Read MoreOn Tuesday, June 20, 2023, during a veto override session, Vermont’s legislature passed H.217, a historic act related to investing in the state’s early childhood system. The law goes into effect on July 1, 2023, with portions of the law being phased in over time through 2026. In this legislative recap, we look at the roles […]
Read MoreWe’re excited to introduce four new BBF team members: Michelle Kersey, Kate Bailey, Tanya LaChapelle, and Valerie Wood. These new hires come as we ramp up our activities under “Vermont Integration Project: Building Integration in Vermont’s B-5 Early Childhood Systems (VIP B-5),” the three-year, $23 million federal Preschool Development Grant (PDG) awarded to Vermont at […]
Read MoreGuest post by Elliot Regenstein, Foresight Law and Policy and Nasha Patel, Watershed Advisors Vermonters are passionate about the importance of early childhood education. Early childhood services change young lives, support families, and make the state more competitive economically. But it can be challenging to meet the complex needs of families with young children. To […]
Read MoreIn our advisory role, BBF is committed to presenting the most up-to-date data on the status of children, families, and the early childhood system. Just as important, is BBF’s ability to capture and produce the perspectives from families as well as early childhood professionals across all sectors quickly and efficiently. This information gathering efforts allow […]
Read MoreCreating meaningful partnerships with families leads to better outcomes for children. This is why the BBF Families and Communities Committee, composed of parents, caregivers and early childhood stakeholders, worked together over the last two years to conduct a Family Engagement Assessment and recently published a report with the results of a survey, lessons learned about […]
Read MoreDrum 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 […]
Read MoreWhen students feel connected to their schools, peers, and teachers, they build trust and we know that supportive relationships are a key protective factor for young children. The Restorative Practices Framework provides tools for teachers to help foster a sense of connectedness in their classroom through mindful awareness opportunities. Restorative Practice Circles are a place […]
Read MoreBy Kathryn Torres, Addison County Parent-Child Center I have been coming to Vermont for family vacations for close to thirty years, and finally my husband and I took the plunge to live here permanently in 2019. With a background steeped in Early Childhood and Education, I took time to reach out and see what was […]
Read More“Women can do hard things. You, my friend, can do hard things.” The following blog was shared with us by Kellie Campbell a Commissioner for the Vermont Commission on The following blog was shared with us by Kellie Campbell a Commissioner for the Vermont Commission on Women (VCW). Kellie Campbell is Chief Technology Officer at […]
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