Alliance Equity Discussion – “Winter Holiday Perils and Possibilities” – 11/14 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, and the next session is Friday, November 14 at 1:00 pm. In these times of heightened community and political tension, friends and neighbors and colleagues who consider themselves to be part of "non-majority" groups are feeling especially anxious. Those feelings will only escalate as the annual fall/winter holiday seasons approach, which unfortunately too often serve to further heighten rather than relieve these negative trends. Our annual “Winter Holiday Perils and Possibilities” discussion will be facilitated by Alliance Executive Director Matt Levin. Starting with his lived experience as a Jewish member of the central Vermont community, he will lead a discussion of the challenges and opportunities that come with public celebrations of the traditional December holidays in classrooms, offices, waiting rooms, government buildings, and other public spaces. Please join us for this "safe space" discussion about finding safety, belonging, and (yes) joy at a time when we all need as much of those things as we can get. Register on Zoom to receive the meeting link. | |
Inclusive Engagement Workshop – 11/18 Building Bright Futures and The Creative Discourse Group for are hosting an interactive virtual workshop on November 18 from 12:00 to 2:00 pm that invites participants to strengthen their individual and collective capacity for inclusive engagement. Through guided reflection and dialogue, participants will explore how their identities, experiences, and assumptions influence their ability to build relationships across differences. Participants will engage in activities to identify strengths and gaps in their network, develop strategies for connecting with those who have been historically excluded, and commit to concrete actions for continued growth. Northern Lights Professional Development credit available. Register on Zoom to receive the meeting link. | |
VDH Offering Storage Boxes for Medications The Vermont Department of Health (VDH) is offering free, lockable storage boxes to safely store medications and prevent accidental ingestion. Accidental ingestion of substances by children has risen since 2018, based on emergency department data. Fill out this form to order a safe storage lock box. | |
Sign On to the Early Childhood Strategic Plan The Building Bright Futures (BBF) State Advisory Council has endorsed Vermont’s new Early Childhood Strategic Plan. This plan, shaped through a year of deep community engagement and collaboration with The Creative Discourse Group, captures the voices, priorities, and hopes of families, caregivers, and early childhood professionals across the state. BBF is seeking stewards to sign on to the Plan and be involved in a range of ways, including leading or supporting implementation of specific parts of the Plan, contributing time, resources, or advocacy to advance key strategies, and promoting equity, inclusion, and fairness. Sign on to the Plan on the BBF website. | |
