| |  | Alliance Equity Discussion – “The Head Start Equity Academy” – 1/17/25 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, January 17, 2025, at 1:00 pm.
The discussion will be led by Holly Moriglioni, the Children’s Services and Professional Development Manager at Champlain Valley Head Start. Our focus will be the Head Start Equity Academy, whose goal is to support Head Start Programs to incorporate an equity lens into all aspects of program planning and development and to establish a practice of continuous and systematic assessment. Register on Zoom to receive the meeting link. | | | |  | BBF to Release “The State of Vermont’s Children: 2024 Year in Review” – 1/13 Building Bright Futures (BBF) is holding a virtual briefing to mark the release of “The State of Vermont’s Children: 2024 Year in Review” on January 13, at 12:00 pm. This report provides a snapshot of the state of Vermont’s children and families, including a profile for each of Vermont’s 12 regions. It also highlights the annual Policy Recommendations from Vermont’s Early Childhood State Advisory Council Network. The 2024 report will be available for download on January 13, and reports from 2015 to 2023 are available here. If you’d like to receive a free paper copy of their 2024 report, you can request a hard copy here. For more information and to register for the briefing, visit the BBF website. | | | |  | New Leadership at Greater Burlington YMCA The Greater Burlington YMCA has announced the hiring of Dan Smith, of Keene, NH, as its Chief Executive Officer. Smith started the new position on December 1, and takes over from retiring Interim CEO Marsha Faryniarz. For more information about Smith and the transition, see the GBYMCA website. | | | |  | Free Courses Through CCV – Beginning 1/21/25 Vermont Afterschool is partnering with the Child Development Division (CDD) to offer free 3-credit, online courses for afterschool professionals through the Community College of Vermont (CCV). This is a tuition-free opportunity for those who are currently working in a regulated child care setting. This opportunity is made possible because of a grant from CDD. Course size is limited to 15 and students must register through Vermont Afterschool. Online classes/courses take place 100% online via Canvas, without required in-person or Zoom meetings. Visit the Vermont Afterschool website for more information. | | | |  | VFN Conference – 4/8/25 The Vermont Family Network (VFN) is hosting their 2025 Annual Conference, "Navigating Transition: Empowering Journeys of Change" on April 8, 2025 at the University of Vermont Davis Center. The conference will focus on the intersections of education and health for children/youth with disabilities or special health needs. Health and educational professionals will collaborate with families and youth to examine challenges during critical transitions throughout a child’s developmental journey. Visit the VFN website for updates. | | | |  | ECDL is In Person on 3/12/25 – Registration Opens January 2025 Join the Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance, early childhood professionals, parents, employers, and policymakers in person to meet with legislators about early childhood issues, attend workshops on current topics, and network and exchange information. Our online registration page will be live in January. Scholarships and professional development will be available. Stay tuned to the Alliance’s newsletters, Facebook page, and website for more details! | | | | Our next newsletter will be on January 7, 2025. | | | |  | | | | | 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. | | | | | | | | | |
