On Monday, Building Bright Futures and Vermont’s Early Childhood Data & Policy Center released The State of Vermont’s Children: 2024 Year in Review. This report provides an objective, data-driven assessment of the well-being of young children and families in Vermont and includes the 2025 Policy Recommendations from Vermont’s Early Childhood State Advisory Council Network.
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Our briefing on the report featured a panel discussion where three expert panelists shared their unique perspectives of the Vermont child welfare system. They discussed what resources and services are working well for children and families and what the most pressing challenges are. The panelists were:
- Mercedes King, Youth Leader from the Youth Development Program
- Lauren Higbee, Deputy Advocate of Vermont’s Office of the Child, Youth and Family Advocate (OCYFA)
- Lindsay Barron, Director of Policy and Planning, State of Vermont’s Department for Children and Families (DCF), Family Services Division (FSD)
BBF’s Data Team also shared highlights from the report, including data on the cost of living in Vermont, housing and homelessness, substance use during pregnancy, children with mental health conditions, expansion of the Child Care Financial Assistance Program (CCFAP), UPK enrollment for 3- and 4-year-olds, and school readiness and third grade assessments. The Data Team also reviewed key indicators on the child welfare system including children in custody, mandated reporting, workforce vacancy and turnover rates, and key findings from the 2024 Federal Child and Family Services Review.
We look forward to providing robust, up-to-date data on the well-being of young children and families to Vermont’s policymakers, educators, caregivers, health practitioners, business leaders, and community members throughout the year. Please feel free to share The State of Vermont’s Children: 2024 Year in Review and the recording of the briefing.
