The focus of the June BBF Council meeting was the final part of a 3-part series on Substance Use Disorders that the Council has offered over the course of the year. “Marijuana Use During Pregnancy-Parenting Implications” was presented by staff from the Newport office of the VT Department of Health: James Biernat, Julie Raboin and Abby Montgomery. Our Council did not meet in July, however the Steering Committee has been busy reviewing data, reflecting on the accomplishments of the past year, and developing a new action plan for 2019-2020.
The Parent Child Center in Newport has undergone a building renovation and in addition to hosting an Open House, has increased the number of events available to families with young children in the community. Beginning in June, a community playgroup is being held 3 times a week and on Wednesday evenings in July and August, the center has fun family activities that are open to the community.
The second STARS Tour event in our region was held at the Central Orleans Family Education Center in Barton in June. The Tour has provided a great opportunity for face-to-face discussions with key staff from the Child Development Division of the Department for Children and Families.
Upcoming Regional Council Meetings
The next Regional BBF Council meeting is scheduled for Monday August 5, 2019 at the Goodrich Memorial Library in Newport from 1-2:30 pm. Anne Latulippe from the VT Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance will be providing a legislative wrap up to the Council.
The September meeting will be on Monday September 9, 2019 at the Goodrich Memorial Library in Newport from 1-3 pm (extended time). Janet Benoit Connor from the VT Consortium for Adoption and Guardianship will be doing a presentation on “Creating an Adoption Sensitive Early Childhood Classroom”. The traumatic events that many adopted children experience can create challenges to their ability to access learning and to feel safe. The Council invites interested community partners to attend.
