| |  | Vermont 211 is Hiring Vermont 211 is Hiring for Community Resource Specialists to help clients with connecting to local resources. Ideal candidates demonstrate care, curiosity, compassion, and competence in connecting with clients from diverse backgrounds, communication styles, and various needs. For more information and to apply, visit the Vermont 211 website. | | | |  | Alliance ‘25 Legislative Agenda Issue Spotlight – Reach Up and Tax Credits – 4/7 The Alliance’s series of virtual Issue Spotlights, which focus on issues from the Alliance’s 2025 Legislative Agenda, continues this month. Our next session will be held Monday, April 7, from 3:30 to 4:15 pm, and will focus on two issues – efforts to improve the Reach Up program and work underway to expand the state’s use of anti-poverty tax credits. Led by representatives from Voices for Vermont’s Children and the Anti-Poverty Tax Credit Coalition, 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. | | | |  | VTAEYC Roundtable – Legislative Update – 4/8 Vermont AEYC is hosting a series of Roundtable Updates through the legislative session, as policymakers consider establishing an ECE Profession through S. 119. These live, 45-minute virtual events provide early childhood educators with updates about the legislative process in a personal, conversational way. The next session is coming up on April 8 at 12:30 pm. For more information and to register, visit the VTAEYC website. | | | |  | Upper Valley Farm to School Regional Gathering – 4/29 The Vermont Farm to School and Early Childhood Network (FTSEC) is hosting the Upper Valley Farm to School Regional Gathering on Tuesday, April 29, from 4:00 to 6:00pm, with an optional dinner starting at 6:00pm, at the Sharon Elementary School Gymnasium. This gathering pertains to Vermont schools and is open to anyone interested, including school families, educators, farmers, and community members. There is no cost to attend. Visit the FTSEC website for more information and to register. | | | |  | Response to Federal Grant Cuts – Local Food for Schools and Child Care Program The Vermont Farm to School and Early Childhood Network is coordinating the advocacy response to the announcement last month by the USDA that the Local Food for Schools and Child Care Program grant has been eliminated. Vermont had signed a preliminary agreement in January to receive $1.2 million from the program. That funding will no longer come to Vermont. Not only is this devastating for the early childhood education programs who would have been receiving funds to purchase more local foods, but 100% of the $1.2 million was designated for local purchasing, which means that that money would have stayed in our local agricultural economy. Visit the Network’s action page to learn more about the impact of the loss of this program, and how you can be a part of the response at the state and national level. | | | | | |  | | | | | 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. | | | | | | | | | |
