| | This Issue Update newsletter is part of a series that provides more information on each priority issue on the Alliance's 2026 Legislative Agenda. The Legislative Agenda is crafted annually in partnership with early childhood organizations that are advancing legislative policy solutions related to health, safety, food security, economic security, and early care and education. The priority issues were selected by the Alliance's Steering Committee. | | | | The Alliance’s series of virtual Issue Spotlights continues Monday, March 23, at 3:00 pm, and will focus on VTAEYC’s efforts to pass the ECE Profession Bill, which creates individual licensure to practice for early childhood educators outside the Agency of Education system of licensure, as well as Prevent Child Abuse Vermont’s efforts to amend state law to require background checks for all Agency of Education contractors who enter schools. | | | | | | ECE Workforce: Establishing Early Childhood Education as a Profession There are more than 7,000 early childhood educators working in Vermont in non-public child care programs regulated by the state’s Child Development Division. These educators serve the vast majority of Vermont children in child care. Unfortunately, the state does not have a system of individual regulation that supports aligned qualifications and accountability for these educators. This gap in the system also leads to a lack of clarity around what individuals are qualified to do, and what career pathways are available to early childhood educators in non-public school programs. Individual licensure protects the public, supports children, and strengthens the early childhood education workforce. An early childhood education license to practice will result in clear career pathways for the current and future workforce, increased transparency for families, and consistency of a well-prepared workforce. The Alliance supports the Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children (VTAEYC) in their efforts to pass S.206, the ECE Profession Bill, which creates individual licensure to practice for early childhood educators outside the Agency of Education system of licensure. The bill includes a FY27 General Fund appropriation of $262,000 to the state’s Office of Professional Regulation to be used to support two staff positions required to establish the licensure of early childhood educators. Legislative Update S.206 has been passed by the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, the Senate Committee on Finance and the Senate Appropriations Committee. A vote on the Senate Floor is expected within the next week. If approved by the Senate, it will then be taken up by a number of committees in the House. | | | |  | | | | | | | Lead Organization Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children (VTAEYC) Prevent Child Abuse Vermont believes that child abuse is preventable — and that prevention must begin early, with consistent access to education, support, and connection. The organization offers a broad range of evidence-based and trauma-informed services to families, educators, children, and communities across all 14 counties of Vermont. Programs are delivered in-person, virtually, and in partnership with schools, childcare centers, correctional facilities, and family service agencies. PCAVT programming is also shared nationally through online trainings and published materials. | | | | | | CHILD PROTECTION: Close the Agency of Education Background Check Loophole to Keep All Children Safe Vermont law (16 VSA §255) requires schools to conduct background checks on employees, but it does not extend that requirement to individuals hired by the Agency of Education who enter schools, including those contracting with the Agency. This gap leaves some children less protected and creates inconsistent safety standards across the education system. Addressing this compliance gap will strengthen Vermont’s broader efforts to reduce child maltreatment and creates safer, more equitable learning environments. The Alliance supports Prevent Child Abuse Vermont’s efforts to amend state law to require background checks for all Agency of Education employees and contractors who enter schools. This update will close a known loophole, ensuring every adult who interacts with students in Vermont schools meets the same child safety requirements. The proposal strengthens statewide consistency, promotes equitable protection, and builds family trust in school environments Legislative Update The House Education Committee has included a policy fix for this issue in their Miscellaneous Education bill, requiring background checks for all VT AOE employees and contractors who interact with Vermont students in any unsupervised capacity. This bill passed out of committee 11-0-0 and will now go to the House floor for a vote. | | | |  | | | Data and Talking Points - In 2024 there were over 150 Agency of Education contractors who were not subject to background check requirements under current statute.
- Because AOE personnel and contractors routinely work in multiple districts, a single unchecked individual may interact with significantly more schools than a typical single school employee, magnifying systemic risk.
- Every school district in Vermont receives visits from Agency of Education personnel or contractors each year. Without uniform background-check requirements, children across the state experience inconsistent safety protections depending on who is entering their school on any given day.
| | | | Lead Organization Prevent Child Abuse VT Prevent Child Abuse Vermont believes that child abuse is preventable - and that prevention must begin early, with consistent access to education, support, and connection. The organization offers a broad range of evidence-based and trauma-informed services to families, educators, children, and communities across all 14 counties of Vermont. Programs are delivered in-person, virtually, and in partnership with schools, childcare centers, correctional facilities, and family service agencies. PCAVT programming is also shared nationally through online trainings and published materials. | | | | | |  | Alliance ‘26 Legislative Agenda Issue Spotlight – ECE Workforce and Background Checks – 3/23 In the coming weeks, the Alliance is hosting virtual Issue Spotlights that will focus on one or two issues from the Alliance’s 2026 Legislative Agenda. In discussions led by representatives from the issue’s lead organizations, participants will be able to ask direct questions and hear a brief legislative update. Our next session will be held Monday, March 23, at 3:00 pm, and will focus on VTAEYC’s efforts to pass the ECE Profession Bill, which creates individual licensure to practice for early childhood educators outside the Agency of Education system of licensure, as well as Prevent Child Abuse Vermont’s efforts to amend state law to require background checks for all Agency of Education contractors who enter schools. Hosted by VTAEYC and Prevent Child Abuse VT, this session is a great opportunity to learn more about these important issues, where they stand in the Legislature, and how to get involved. | | | | | |  | | | | | 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. | | | | | | | | | |
