BBF hosted the VT Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance Executive Director Matt Levin at the December Council meeting. Matt introduced the Alliance Legislative 2020 agenda that generated a conversation regarding the needs of the children and families in the Northeast Kingdom.
The region is fortunate to have weekly playgroups in various locations around the Orleans/N.Essex county area. Supporting the playgroups is an action plan priority and we were able to provide resources to the playgroups to update developmental materials for the children.
Working in partnership with the VT Department of Health, North Country Hospital and the Parent Child Center, we supplied approximately 60 Welcome Baby Bags over 3 months for the hospital to distribute to new families in the area.
The January Council meeting featured a presentation by Allyson Howell, Northeast Kingdom Learning Services Prevention Specialist and VT Department of Health Prevention Consultant, Julie Raboin, on the health risks of vaping and use of e-cigarettes. Our region has a higher rate of use among young people than the overall state rate. The presentation created a better awareness about the health impact of vaping on adults and young people, and resources to provide to families we work with.
BBF is convening a small work group to focus on developing a framework of best practices around supporting the transition of children and their families to kindergarten with a “trauma informed” lens. Consultant Gillian Boudreau will be working with the group on this initiative.
The Orleans County Restorative Justice Center Director has invited BBF to join community partners in focusing on the needs of children and youth with an incarcerated family member. The newly formed group is identifying gaps in services and searching for data regarding the numbers of children that are impacted in our region to bring about an awareness of their unique needs and challenges.
Upcoming Regional Council Meetings and Activities
February 3, 2020, 1-2:30 pm at the Goodrich Library in Newport-”How are VT’s Young Children and Families” report
April 4, 2020, Annual Dabble Day at the Coventry School