| | Expanded Hazard Pay Grant Program Now Open Vermont's Legislature and Governor Scott have authorized a second round of the Frontline Workers Hazard Pay Grant Program and expanded the qualifications to include child care workers who provided emergency child care for essential workers. The program is open to early education employers that remained open during the COVID-19 child care closure period earlier this year (between March 13 and May 15) to provide emergency care for the children of essential workers. Applications must come from the employers, not the employees, and will be processed on a first come-first served basis. The application period opened on Wednesday, October 28 at 9:00 am. More information on the program (and application instructions) are available here. | | | |  | Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) Farm to School Equipment and/or Child Nutrition Grant Application – Deadline November 2 The Agency of Education (AOE) and Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets announced two CRF grant opportunities for School Food Authorities and other Child Nutrition Program sponsors. The Farm to School Equipment Grant will reimburse schools or licensed and registered child care providers for equipment, materials, and supplies for school nutrition programs and classrooms that are both necessary expenditures related to the public health emergency and expenditures that support the local procurement and hands-on education goals of Farm to School. The Child Nutrition Equipment Grant is intended to reimburse for purchases of eligible supplies and equipment, including vehicles, freezers, and other capital assets necessary to provide meals to children using the federal child nutrition programs during the COVID-19 State of Emergency. To simplify the process for these grants, there is a single joint application. Additional resources and links are available on AOE’s Coronavirus Relief Fund webpage. | | | |  | COVID 19 Family Impact Report In June 2020, the Alliance, Let’s Grow Kids, Voices for Vermont’s Children, Building Bright Futures, and Hunger Free Vermont partnered to survey 775 Vermont families to gather information on their experiences and challenges related to COVID-19. The survey results show the pandemic has brought many challenges for families in Vermont. From closures of child care programs, to social isolation from services and networks, and financial difficulties, many survey respondents expressed significant concerns and struggles, and we know many continue to face hardships. Thank you to all who participated in the survey. Read the full results online. | | | | '21 Legislative Agenda Applications Due November 16 The Alliance Steering Committee invites proposals by organizations for consideration during the Alliance’s Agenda-setting process, which is open until 12:00 pm on November 16. Issues that are selected will make up the 2021 Legislative Agenda. If you have any questions about applying, please register for our office hours or email Matt Levin, Alliance Executive Director, at matt@vecaa.org. Visit our website for more information about the Agenda-setting process. | | | |  | | | Vote Safely in the November Election Election Day is coming up on November 3! If you haven't mailed in your ballot yet, you can still submit it at a ballot drop box or at your Town Clerk's office by close of business on November 2, or vote safely in person on November 3. Before you go, check on the location of your ballot drop box and polling place. If you choose to vote in person, bring your ballot, a mask, and a black pen with you. Accommodations will be made for people without these materials. | | | | | |  | | | | | 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. | | | | | | | | | |
