| |  | Alliance Monthly Equity Discussion – “Windows and Mirrors – Personal Reflections” – 2/24 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 coming up on Friday, February 24 at 1:00 pm. This month’s session, “Windows and Mirrors – Personal Reflections,” will be a discussion facilitated by Matt Levin, the Alliance's Executive Director. The session will begin with the consideration of inward-looking questions posed in an equity session Alliance staff recently participated in. This will be a free-flowing discussion, guided by participants' contributions. Register to get the Zoom link. | | | |  | Support the Farm Bill Recommendations This year, the Farm Bill is up for reauthorization by Congress, and the Vermont Farm Bill Nutrition Coalition has been working together since January to establish priority recommendations for the bill to share with Vermont’s Congressional delegation. The nutrition programs within the Farm Bill, including 3SquaresVT and the Emergency Food Assistance Program, support tens of thousands of people across Vermont. The final set of priority recommendations were directly informed by more than 450 community members and service providers across the state, as well as anti-hunger and legal advocacy organizations, farmers and growers, food retailers, school partners and parent-child centers, and many more. Visit the Hunger Free Vermont website to view the final recommendations and sign on in support as an individual and/or organization. | | | | Public Budget Hearings – 2/21 and 2/28 Next week the House and Senate Appropriations Committees will begin their brief process to get public input and comments on the State’s Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Budget, which they are in the process of drafting. There will be two hearings, one on Tuesday, February 21 at 3:00 pm and a second on Tuesday, February 28 at 5:30 pm. The hearings will be conducted both in person in the State House and virtually. These hearings will allow citizen advocates to offer their suggestions on what priorities should shape the budget which goes into effect this coming July. It’s important to note that these hearings will not provide a chance for discussions with legislators – given the limitations of the format, legislators will not be responding to the input they are getting in the hearing itself. Details about the hearings, and instructions for how to sign up, can be found in the House Appropriations press release. If you would like more information on how to participate in these hearings, contact the Alliance Executive Director, Matt Levin, at matt@vecaa.org. | | | |  | Register for an In-Person ECDL '23! Over 50 people have already registered for the IN-PERSON 29th Annual Early Childhood Day at the Legislature (ECDL) on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, in Montpelier! The issues on our 2023 Legislative Agenda will play central roles at this year’s ECDL. Scholarships and professional development will be available. Contact Taylor Hughey, Alliance Outreach Manager, at taylor@vecaa.org with any questions. | | | | | | | | | | 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. | | | | | | | | | |
