Caledonia & S. Essex

The Caledonia and Southern Essex Early Childhood Regional Council brings together community members committed to young children and families. Regional Councils are guided by Vermont’s Early Childhood Action Plan, and they identify annual priority actions based on community needs and gaps. The Regional Councils also advise Vermont’s Early Childhood State Advisory Council on opportunities to strengthen both local and statewide systems of care, health, and education. Membership is open to anyone who is invested in the well-being of children and families.

2024–2026 Regional Priorities

1. Child and family mental health: Support early childhood and family mental health at home, in early childhood education and school settings, and in the community. Promote strategies that build a child’s social-emotional development; support a caregiver’s emotional regulation; respond to the mental health workforce crisis; improve access to consultation and crisis services; and prevent the use of exclusionary discipline.

2. Building resilience in children, families, and communities: Support prevention and ongoing resiliency efforts to ensure that children reach their optimal well-being and potential. Promote parent and provider education about resilience and the impact of trauma to better support children who are impacted by traumatic experiences such as eviction, poverty, death of a parent, substance use disorder, or domestic violence.