2019 “How are Vermont’s Young Children” Report Released

On Wednesday, January 8, Building Bright Futures (BBF) released its 2019 "How Are Vermont's Young Children and Families?" report, providing a data-driven assessment of young child and family well-being, as well as progress on selected indicators and outcomes.

New to the report this year is a Mental Health Spotlight that delves into the topic of social, emotional, and behavioral well-being of Vermont’s youngest children and their families, as well as data on children accessing mental health services through designated mental health agencies and crisis services.

Early childhood and family mental health has been a key priority area for BBF’s State Advisory Council over the past year.

For more information on BBF, visit their website.

Hunger Free Vermont Launches Universal School Meals Campaign

Today, January 14, Hunger Free Vermont launched its Universal School Meals Campaign at a press conference in the Vermont State House Cedar Creek Room. Universal School Meals is one of the 12 issues on the Alliance’s 2020 Legislative Agenda.

Since 2014, Hunger Free Vermont, working with the Vermont Agency of Education, has helped nearly 25% of Vermont public schools take the money out of school meals. Now, the results of multiple studies confirm that a universal school meals model improves multiple student, school, and community outcomes. When schools offer universal school meals, student learning, behavior, and health – as well as relationships between school administrators and families – improve.

For more information, visit the Alliance’s Universal School Meals page.

FaMLI Coalition Advocates for Stronger Family Paid Leave Legislation

At a press conference on Monday, January 6, the FaMLI (Family Medical Leave Insurance Program) Coalition called upon the legislature to pass a strong paid leave program in 2020 that includes guaranteed personal medical leave to Vermonters, provides an equitable bonding provision available to both parents, and is publicly administered to keep the program viable and sustainable.

These provisions are not currently in the version of the program being considered by the House and Senate.

The Alliance is a member of the FaMLI Coalition, and this issue is one of 12 on the Alliance’s ’20 Legislative Agenda.

For more information, read the full press release.

Point-in-Time Count – January 22 and January 23

Vermont Coalition to End Homelessness

The Point-in-Time count is an annual “snapshot” of all the individuals and families in Vermont who are experiencing homelessness. Data from the count shapes the state’s response to our housing crisis.

This statewide count, taking place on the night of January 22, is planned, coordinated, and carried out locally with the support of the Vermont Coalition to End Homelessness.

The count is required by the US Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for all communities nationwide that receive federal dollars to serve individuals and households experiencing homelessness. It also helps to identify areas of need, measure and monitor trends in homelessness, and support the communities’ needs when applying for funding.

For more information and to volunteer, visit the Point-in-Time website.