| ![](/1-19-21-newsletter/78b29f1c-3b69-4c66-9de7-5da8f5c1e4ea.jpg) | Virtual Homelessness Awareness Day and Vigil – 1/27, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm On January 27, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, the Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition (VAHC), the Vermont Coalition to End Homelessness, and the Chittenden County Homeless Alliance are hosting a virtual version of the annual Homelessness Awareness Day and Vigil. Join homeless and formerly homeless Vermonters, service and shelter providers, and housing advocates from across the state to reflect on all we must do in the coming year to end homelessness in Vermont. The agenda for this virtual day of advocacy and awareness includes testimony to legislative committees, a noon-time commemorative vigil, a call-in/letter writing campaign, and more. Participants can tune in via Zoom (link and registration to be announced) or watch live on YouTube at VAHC’s channel. Details, including registration links, will be posted on VAHC’s website. For more information, contact Erhard Mahnke (erhardm@vtaffordablehousing.org) or Kara Casey (kara@vtnetwork.org). | | | Grant Opportunities from the Vermont Children’s Trust Foundation – Deadline 3/17 The Vermont Children’s Trust Foundation (VCTF) has shared new funding opportunities for 2022. Grants are available to private non-profit organizations, schools, and public entities offering new or expanded programming for Vermont children and youth. VCTF grants are for primary prevention programs, serving children ages 0-18. These programs strive to reduce the likelihood of juvenile delinquency, truancy, substance abuse, child abuse, and other socially destructive behaviors before intervention by authorities, through strength-based activities in a community-based setting. The deadline to apply is March 17, 2021. Find more information on the VCTF website. | | | Register Today – Child Care Business Administration Course Enrollment is now open for “Child Care Business Administration – Legal and Financial Management,” a course offered by the Vermont Higher Education Collaborative (VHEC). This hands-on course, which begins on January 21, will be taught in four sessions and is designed for early childhood professionals interested in child care administration, as well as current and seasoned administrators seeking additional program management training. Sessions will be taught by experts including Elena Gustavson, Director of Business Resources at the Vermont Community Loan Fund (the Alliance’s parent organization), and staff from Let’s Grow Kids. For more information on the course, including registration and fees, visit VHEC’s website. | | | ![](/1-19-21-newsletter/55e5b469-fa1a-4cd7-9138-882b3a5fc732.png) | Become a Member of the Alliance Today! Membership in a strong coalition brings us closer together, working as a team to amplify early childhood voices and influence policy making in order to realize the promise of every Vermont child. Details on individual ($20) and organizational ($75) Alliance memberships can be found on our membership page. Fee waiver requests and any questions are welcomed and can be emailed to amy@vecaa.org. | | | ![](/1-19-21-newsletter/14d4a755-fdc6-4dfd-8851-bf9eeb458b85.jpg) | | | | The Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance is a statewide coalition formed in 2000 of early childhood professionals, parents, organizations, businesses, and strategic partners committed to improving public policies that impact young children between birth and age eight in the areas of health, safety, food security, economic security, and early care and education. The Alliance crafts an annual Legislative Agenda in partnership with early childhood organizations, provides year-round advocacy support, and facilitates meaningful interactions with policymakers at key times during the decision making process. | | | | 15 State Street | Montpelier , Vermont 05602 vecaa.org The Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance is a program of the Vermont Community Loan Fund. | | | | | | | |