Building Bright Futures’ (BBF) mission is to improve the well-being of children and families in Vermont by using evidence to inform policy and bringing voices together across sectors and within regions to discuss critical challenges and problem-solve. Alongside the production of 4 statewide early childhood reports and resources, BBF’s network infrastructure captures and produces the […]
In 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 […]
Building Bright Futures released the 2020 How Are Vermont’s Young Children and Families report on January 11th 2021. The report is a data-rich look at the well-being of children in Vermont. The 2020 report highlights the significant impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Vermont’s Early Childhood system and data landscape. In addition to COVID-specific data, […]
Creating 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 […]
Dear Vermont’s Early Childhood Community, I have never been more proud to be a Vermonter. The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged the strength and resilience of families, communities, and Vermont’s early childhood system to be nimble in a rapidly changing world. Vermonters are having to do more with less, which isn’t new for the early childhood […]
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 […]
View the meeting recording on You Tube The November State Advisory Council met on Monday, November 16 to review and endorse the content for the 2020 How Are Vermont’s Young Children and Families? report. The meeting opened with a moment of silence to honor Mariah McGill, former Building Bright Futures staff member, whose life was […]
The October 26, 2020 BBF Vermont Early Childhood State Advisory Council hosted the third annual State and Regional Council virtual assembly. The value of this annual convening is to bring together people at every level of the BBF network infrastructure: regional councils, Vermont Early Childhood Action Plan (VECAP) committees, and State Advisory Council members. Strengthening […]
It is with deep sadness that our team at BBF honors the passing of our friend and colleague, Mariah McGill. We are heartbroken to share that on October 26, 2020, while a pedestrian crossing in a crosswalk on Route 100 near her home in Waitsfield, Mariah was struck by a car and succumbed to her […]
The September 29, 2020 BBF State Advisory Council explored strategies to strengthen the voice of the State Advisory Council through its membership and annual policy recommendations. Dr. Morgan Crossman, BBF Executive Director, discussed how the SAC is composed of leaders chosen as the primary advisory body to the Governor and Legislature on all things early […]
When 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 […]
This blog is written in conjunction with Amanda Herzberger. Amanda has been a member of the Junior League of Champlain Valley for eight years and previously served as Co-President. When she’s not wearing her “diaper lady” hat Amanda is a wedding and portrait photographer and lives in Shelburne with her husband Jeff and their two […]
