Building Bright Futures (BBF) is Vermont’s early childhood public-private partnership, charged under Title 33 § Chapter 46 and the Federal Head Start Act (Public Law 110-134) as Vermont’s Early Childhood State Advisory Council (SAC). The SAC advises the Governor and Legislature on the well-being of children in the prenatal period through age 8 and their families. BBF’s mission is to improve the well-being of children and families in Vermont by using evidence to inform policy and by bringing voices together across sectors and within regions to discuss critical challenges and problem-solve. 

Through Vermont’s Early Childhood Action Plan (VECAP), BBF maintains the vision for Vermont’s early childhood system, which is to be an integrated continuum of comprehensive, high-quality services that are equitable, accessible, and improve outcomes for each and every Vermont child in the prenatal period through age 8 and their families. BBF’s network includes 12 Regional Councils, seven VECAP Committees, and Vermont’s Early Childhood State Advisory Council. We are also tasked with ensuring accountability and measuring the success of Vermont’s Act 76, a child care law passed in 2023. 

BBF supports accountability through Vermont’s Early Childhood Data & Policy Center, a nonpartisan, independent source of data, research, and publications on issues and priorities for children from the prenatal period through age 8 in Vermont. The Center’s Early Childhood Data Portal is a way for policymakers, early childhood partners, and the public to access high-quality, up-to-date data on Vermont’s children, families, and early childhood system. Users can download full datasets for additional analysis.