Provide input on governance options for Vermont’s Child Care and Early Childhood Education Systems Analysis (ECSA). 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 of Vermont’s child care and early childhood services and systems. In 2021, BBF contracted with Foresight Law + Policy and Watershed Advisors to conduct the ECSA on behalf of the State of Vermont. The Foresight/Watershed team has collected input through 130 interviews, focus groups and public presentations since November 2021 to produce two documents:
Five options for Vermont Governance have been outlined and presented in the Vermont Governance Options document and also presented to a joint legislative hearing on April 13 [Recording].
I.A Coordination: Maintain the Status Quo
I.B Coordination: Add a Centralized Coordinating Office (e.g. a “Governor’s Office of Early Childhood”)
II.A Consolidation into the Agency of Human Services
II.B Consolidation into the Agency of Education
III. Creation of a New Agency or Department focused on Early Childhood
Stakeholder engagement data indicates that the current governance model (I.A. Coordination: Maintain the Status Quo) is not working. So what would work better? As someone invested in Vermont’s Early Childhood system, your input is valued.
Please complete this brief survey by May 5 to indicate your preferences for governance options to inform a final report to the legislature in June 2022.
