2020 Legislative Agenda Results Summary

Like just about everything else this year, the 2020 Legislative Session was far from normal. The pandemic forced all activity to go to a virtual format starting on March 13, and also led to a special extra session in August and September to finish the budget-writing process. The Alliance and its members worked hard to keep the well-being of young children and families at the forefront throughout this chaotic and lengthy session.

Overall, the early childhood community’s advocacy this session showcased the strength of the Alliance and our collective efforts. While many of our Legislative Agenda items saw only modest policy gains, our members worked tirelessly – with remarkable cohesion – to support Vermont’s young children and families through these difficult times. This commitment to collaboration will serve us well in 2021.

The 2020 Legislative Agenda Results Summary is also available as a downloadable PDF.

 

2020 Legislative Session Results Debrief Webinar – October 13

Do you want to learn more about what happened during this past legislative session? Join Alliance staff for an overview of the 2020 Legislative Session and action on the Alliance's 2020 Legislative Agenda initiatives.

Following a brief presentation, there will be a Q&A and discussion on steps you can take to support early childhood advocacy moving forward.

The webinar will be held on Tuesday, October 13, at 12:00 pm. Register now!

 

Meet Our Current Steering Committee

At the Alliance’s Annual Membership Meeting on September 16, elections were held for 10 seats on our Steering Committee. The Alliance Steering Committee includes 21 members, serving two-year terms, representing the issues of health, safety, food security, economic security, and early care and education, as well as parents and businesses.

The Steering Committee guides the operations of the Alliance and sets the annual Legislative Agenda. The current Committee members, with their affiliations and issue designation, are:

  • Margaret Atkinson, Winston Prouty Center, At-Large
  • Jessie Carpenter, Vermont Foodbank, Food Security
  • Amanda Cochrane, Umbrella, Inc., Economic Security
  • Ann Dillenbeck, Self, Safety
  • Ellen Drolette, Self, Early Care/Early Ed — Home-Based
  • Deb Gass, Vermont Head Start Association, Family Support
  • Sarah Kenney, Let’s Grow Kids, At-Large
  • Faye Mack, Hunger Free Vermont, Food Security
  • Pam McCarthy, Vermont Family Network, Health
  • Tabitha McGlynn, Self, Health
  • Holly Morehouse, Vermont Afterschool, Early Care/Early Ed — Afterschool
  • Floyd Nease, Parent Child Center Network, Family Support
  • Morgan Nichols, Main Street Alliance-VT, Business
  • Diane Nichols-Fleming, Self, Early Care/Early Ed — Public K-3
  • Barbara Petrie, Vermont Community Loan Fund, Fiscal Sponsor
  • Judy Pransky, Emerson Falls Playcare, Early Care/Early Ed — Center-Based
  • Sonja Raymond, Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children, At-Large
  • Sarah Teel, Voices for Vermont’s Children, Economic Security
  • Joanna VonCulin, Self, Parents
  • Mary Zentara, Self, Parents

The Executive Committee assists the Executive Director in managing the day-to-day affairs of the Alliance, and conducts other duties as identified by the Steering Committee. Members of the Executive Committee are Margaret Atkinson (Chair), Faye Mack (Vice Chair), Tabitha McGlynn (Secretary), Barbara Petrie (Treasurer), and Diane Nichols-Fleming (At-Large).

We currently have a vacancy in one of the two seats representing Safety (child protection, etc.) issues. Anyone interested in more information about filling that seat should get in touch with Matt Levin, Alliance Executive Director, at matt@vecaa.org.

Visit the Alliance website to review Steering Committee Meeting Minutes, our Governance Document, and more.

 

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.

RECENT NEWSLETTERS

CDD Update, Stimulus Payments for IRS Non-Filing Returns, Meal Access for Children Webinar, Census Update

Legislative Update, Public Comments on CIS Payment Model, Antiracism Workshop, 3SquaresVT Outreach and Policy Conference

 

15 State Street | Montpelier , Vermont 05602

vecaa.org

The Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance is a program of the Vermont Community Loan Fund.

Follow Us

Unsubscribe