In the fall of 2021, the Vermont Act Early/COVID-19 Response grant team was fortunate to receive another year of funding and continued support for: 1) promotion of resilience-building resources and activities for families, and 2) improving early identification and equitable access to services across the state. During year two, our Vermont team continues to convene […]
Vermont’s Child Care and Early Childhood Education Systems Analysis (ECSA) is underway and now is the time to tune-in to provide input at upcoming Building Bright Futures Regional Council meetings. The Systems Analysis was called for in legislation under Act 45 (H171, an Act relating to child care systems and financing) to improve the functionality […]
Building resilience in our communities February, 2022 News from the Network is an email series from Building Bright Futures that spotlights the work of Regional Councils, updates related to early childhood data, emerging priorities from VECAP Committees, and more. Written by our Policy and Program Director Anna Brouillette, this update gives a closer look at […]
30% of Vermont children have a behavioral, emotional, developmental, or mental health condition After the isolation that children and families experienced during the Stay Home, Stay Safe order, remote and hybrid schooling, and fewer social opportunities to engage with peers and receive necessary services, there is ample anecdotal evidence of an increase in behavioral, emotional, […]
Building Bright Futures Regional Councils awards $100,000 in Vermont Early Childhood Fund grants to improve the well-being of children, families and communities Building Bright Futures (BBF) announced seven recipients of grants from the Vermont Early Childhood Fund (VECF). Grantees will work with BBF Regional Councils to improve the well-being of children (prenatal–age 8) and families, […]
News from the Network is a series from Building Bright Futures that spotlights a different priority each month from our 12 Regional Councils. Written by our Policy and Program Director Anna Brouillette, this update gives a closer look at BBF’s work across the state of Vermont to improve the well-being of young children and families. […]
Guest 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 […]
Raising awareness of Building Bright Futures and making a gift on #GivingTuesday is a wonderful way to inspire people and communities to come together and reflect on the needs of Vermont’s children and families. #GivingTuesday is a global day of giving and unity. As Building Bright Futures takes part in this day, we are celebrating […]
On Friday, November 19, the House of Representatives passed the Build Back Better Act, marking a significant milestone. While it will still need to be considered and voted on in the Senate, today Representatives, including Congressman Welch, affirmed the importance of supporting the programs and systems that serve families and young children, as well as […]
As the primary early childhood advisor in Vermont, Building Bright Futures has been closely monitoring the Build Back Better Act which includes investments in universal prekindergarten education (UPK) and child care among other social support programs. The legislation proposes a universal pre-K program for 3- and 4-year olds and makes substantial investments and expansions in […]
On October 25th, 60 early childhood leaders representing all levels of the BBF Network (Regional Councils, VECAP Committees and SAC members) gathered at the State Advisory Council meeting for an examination of the workforce shortage impacting how we serve children and families. You can view the recording from the October 25 meeting here. Mindful Moment […]
October 26, 2021 Today we remember Mariah McGill, whose life was taken suddenly and much too soon one year ago. Mariah served as a Regional Coordinator for BBF and contributed as a keen leader, advocate, and problem solver in other roles throughout the community. Mariah joined the BBF team in September 2020 and was ebullient […]