| |  | Become a Sponsor of ECDL ‘25! Sponsors are already lining up to support the 2025 Early Childhood Day at the Legislature, an exciting annual event set for Wednesday, March 12, 2025. This dynamic gathering brings together early childhood professionals, parents, employers, and policymakers for a powerful day of advocacy. The Alliance is actively seeking more sponsors to help fuel this important cause and make an even bigger impact! For more information about sponsorship options, contact Taylor Hughey, Alliance Outreach Manager, at taylor@vecaa.org. | | | |  | Alliance Monthly Equity Discussion – “VDH and Health Equity” – 11/1 Join a group of peers and colleagues from the early childhood community to engage in sustained learning about anti-racism, equity, and inclusion. The Alliance hosts a monthly, salon-style Equity Discussion Group via Zoom. Our next session is coming up on Friday, November 1, at 1:00 pm.
The discussion will be led by Song Nguyen, Director of Health Equity and Sara Chesbrough, Health Equity Lead at the Family and Child Health Division of the VT Department of Health. Our discussion will highlight initiatives to enhance health equity practices within the Health Department, throughout partnering organizations, and within the Division to enhance the delivery of public health services with a health equity perspective. Register on Zoom to receive the meeting link. | | | |  | “Room for Me” Grants – Applications Open 10/31 The Child Development Division is partnering with Vermont Afterschool to offer another round of “Room for Me” grants to start up or expand afterschool and summer programs. The “Room for Me” grants will fund programs to expand the number of school-age children aged 5-12 served in afterschool, school vacation, and summer programs statewide with a focus on underserved areas of Vermont. For more information about the “Room for Me” grants and to apply, visit the Vermont Afterschool website. Applications open on October 31. | | | |  | Read the VCLF Social Impact Report The Alliance's parent organization, the Vermont Community Loan Fund (VCLF), is a mission-driven, community-focused alternative lender that provides loans and other resources to local businesses, community organizations and nonprofits, early care and learning providers, and developers of affordable housing who don’t qualify for a loan from a traditional lender. VCLF has released their 2024 Social Impact Report that highlights the community-empowering work they have done in the last year. Their loan portfolio impacts for 2024 include 1,716 early childhood education slots created and preserved, 1,114 affordable homes built and rehabilitated, and 2,569 jobs created and preserved. Learn more on the Loan Fund’s website. | | | | | |  | | | | | 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. | | | | 7 School Street | Montpelier , Vermont 05602 vecaa.org The Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance is a program of the Vermont Community Loan Fund. | | | | | | | | | |
