| |  | National 211 Day – 2/11 February 11 (2/11) is National 211 Day, an annual observance celebrating the go-to, three-digit (2-1-1) resource that helps millions of people across North America connect to help. In Vermont, Vermont 211 (VT 211) provides free, statewide access to community resources through personalized assistance by phone (dial 211), text, and an online searchable database. VT 211’s mission is to promote the health and well-being of all people in Vermont through a statewide information and referral system that streamlines access to community resources. VT 211 is a nationally accredited information and referral service and operates as a centralized community resource information center in accordance with national standards. To mark 211 Day and raise awareness, VT 211 will host an information table in the Card Room of the Vermont State House on Wednesday. There will also be testimony about the program in the House Health Care and Senate Health and Welfare Committees. | | | |  | Apply to Represent Vermont at Strolling Thunder – Deadline 2/13 ZERO TO THREE, a nationwide early childhood organization that works to ensure that babies and toddlers benefit from the early connections that are critical to their well-being and development, is looking for a Vermont parent/guardian and their baby or toddler (under the age of three) to participate in this year’s Strolling Thunder, an in-person event held in Washington, D.C., to bring national attention to what babies – and families – need to thrive. In June, ZERO TO THREE will bring 51 families with a baby under three – one from every state and Washington, DC – to Capitol Hill for Strolling Thunder. No advocacy experience is necessary. ZERO TO THREE will cover travel expenses and will provide selected families with training and support for their meetings with their Members of Congress. The deadline to apply is February 13. For more information and to submit an application, visit the Strolling Thunder website. | | | |  | Alliance Monthly Equity Discussion – “Love, Inclusion, and Trust at Northshire Day School” – 2/27 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, February 27, at 1:00 pm. The discussion will be led by Laurie Metcalfe, the Executive Director of the Northshire Day School in Manchester Center. Laurie will share how NDS has been engaged in ongoing work around Love, Inclusion, and Trust (LIT) framework, and how this has been a meaningful entry point for sustained learning about equity and belonging within their school community. Come share in a conversation about equity that is applicable to all ages, provides guidance, and offers hope as we navigate complex times. Register on Zoom to receive the meeting link. | | | |  | Save the Date – Vermont Afterschool Conference – 10/22 and 10/23 The Vermont Afterschool 17th Annual Conference will be held Thursday and Friday, October 22 and 23, at Hotel Champlain in Burlington. Stay tuned to the Vermont Afterschool website for more information. | | | |  | PDG B-5 Award and Project Webpage Vermont’s early childhood partners recently received a new Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5) award. The $12 million one-year grant is provided by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration of Children and Families. Project work will focus on creating a unified, coherent system that spans child care, education, and infrastructure development. The Child Development Division will lead implementation of the project in partnership with Building Bright Futures, Department of Health, Agency of Education, Department of Mental Health, and the Vermont Head Start Collaboration Office. Visit the Vermont DCF website for more information on the progress of the grant. | | | |  | | | Register for ECDL ’26! Join us in person for Early Childhood Day at the Legislature (ECDL) on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Montpelier To register a group larger than five, please contact Taylor Hughey, Alliance Outreach Manager, at taylor@vecaa.org. Scholarships and professional development are available. Contact taylor@vecaa.org with any questions. Visit the Alliance website for more information. | | | | | |  | | | | | 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. | | | | | | | | | |
