| |  | Alliance Monthly Equity Discussion – “What Can Dancing Teach Us About Gender Roles and Identity?” – 2/21 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 will be held on Friday, February 21, at 1:00 pm. The discussion will be led by Alliance Executive Director Matt Levin, who will be joined by members of the Montpelier contra dancing community. Our focus will be on gender roles, identities, and labels, looking at these through the lens of the Montpelier Contra Dance. In recent years this dance has followed a developing trend of using non-gendered “calling” in its dances, creating a unique space for expression, exploration, understanding, and conversation about the roles our society has put into place. What does it mean to “lead” and “follow” in a couple’s dance? Are you a “Fred” or a “Ginger”, or is the question irrelevant? What if Ginger had been able to lead? What if neither were leading? Register on Zoom to receive the meeting link. | | | |  | Alliance ‘25 Legislative Agenda Issue Spotlight – Doula Coverage and PCCN – 2/24 The Alliance’s series of virtual Issue Spotlights, which focus on issues from the Alliance’s 2025 Legislative Agenda, continues next week. Our next session will be held Monday, February 24, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm, and will focus on two issues – Medicaid funding for community doula care, and the Parent Child Center Network request for funding for their tobacco cessation programs. Led by representatives from the Doula Association of Vermont and the Vermont Parent Child Center Network (PCCN), this session is a great opportunity to learn more about each of these issues, get an update on how they are progressing in the legislature, and how to get involved. Register on Zoom to receive the meeting link. | | | |  | BBF State Advisory Council Meeting – 2/24 The Building Bright Futures (BBF) State Advisory Council will be meeting virtually on Monday, February 24, from 1:30 to 2:30 pm. The main purpose of the meeting is to provide a forum for SAC members and members of the public to share current needs and challenges impacting children and families to help inform the upcoming update to Vermont’s early childhood strategic plan. Please click here to register via Zoom and view the full agenda here. | | | |  | VTAEYC WOYC Mini-Grants – Deadline to Apply 2/28 The Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children (VTAEYC) is offering $500 grants to support community collaborations for Week of the Young Child (WOYC) activities this year. To qualify, at least one person on the planning team must be a current member of VTAEYC, must partner with at least one other Early Childhood Education organization (i.e. another ECE program, a PCC, BBF early childhood networks, etc.), and the event/activity must take place during WOYC, April 5-11, 2025 For more information and to apply, fill out this form. Please visit the NAEYC website for more information about the WOYC and other resources. Application submission closes February 28. Chosen recipients will be notified by March 7th. | | | |  | VCLF is Hiring The Vermont Community Loan Fund (VCLF) is hiring for a Senior Staff Accountant. The position provides analytical support to the Director of Finance and works closely with the Administrative Manager. For more information and to apply, visit the VCLF website. | | | |  | | | | | | |  | | | | | 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. | | | | | | | | | |
