| |  | Alliance “Legislative Happy Hour” – Early Childhood Education/Child Care – 2/13, 3:30 pm This winter, the Alliance will be hosting virtual “Legislative Happy Hours” leading up to this year’s ECDL. Each session will focus on one or two issues from the Alliance’s 2023 Legislative Agenda. Joined by representatives from the lead organizations, participants will be able to hear a brief legislative update regarding the issues and ask follow-up questions.
The second session will be held Monday, February 13 from 3:30 to 4:15 pm. It will focus on Transforming Child Care and will be led by Sarah Kenney from Let’s Grow Kids. Click to register on Zoom. | | | |  | Save the Date – Vermont Kindergarten Conference – 4/4 The Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children (VTAEYC) is holding the Vermont Kindergarten Conference on April 4 at the Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain from 8:45 am to 3:30 pm. The Conference is designed for early childhood educators, principals, and curriculum directors throughout Vermont and will focus on ways to support the development of children’s literacy and language skills as well as social and emotional learning through stories and storytelling. Registration will open soon. For more information, visit the VTAEYC website. | | | |  | BBF Hiring for Partnership Coordinator – Applications Due 2/23 Building Bright Futures (BBF) is hiring for a Partnership Coordinator. The Partnership Coordinator will focus on systems improvement and policy development utilizing BBF’s data, research, and network of regional and state public and private stakeholders. They will support the planning, convening, and communication at all levels of the 450+ person BBF Network – 12 Regional Councils, 7 VECAP Committees, and the State Advisory Council. Applications are due February 23. For more information and to apply, visit the BBF website. | | | |  | CDD Public Hearings on STARS Revisions – 3/9 and 3/14 The Child Development Division (CDD) is launching a revised model for the STep Ahead Recognition System (STARS), Vermont’s Quality Recognition and Improvement System for early childhood and afterschool programs. Included in the revision are changes to the rules that govern STARS administration, changes that are designed to increase equity and positive child outcomes across programs. As part of this process, CDD will host public hearings on March 9 and 14 to present the proposed changes and collect community comments. Hearings are both in person and virtual. Written comments are also being accepted by email through March 22. For more information about the draft changes, comment submission, and the public hearings, visit the CDD website. | | | |  | Register for ECDL '23! Join us IN-PERSON for the 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. Join the Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance, early childhood professionals, parents, employers, and policymakers to: - Meet with legislators about early childhood issues
- Attend workshops on current topics
- Take action at the State House
- Network and exchange information
Scholarships and professional development will be available. Contact Taylor Hughey, Alliance Outreach Manager, at taylor@vecaa.org with any questions. Stay tuned to the Alliance’s newsletters, Facebook page, and website for more details as they are released. | | | | | | | | | | 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. | | | | | | | | | |
