| | 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 is continuing to host virtual Issue Spotlights that will focus on issues from our 2026 Legislative Agenda. Our next session will be held Monday, April 6, at 3:00 pm, and will focus on two important issues – efforts by the Parent Child Center Network to secure additional funding for their services to the community, and work by the Doula Association of Vermont to ensure that OPR and DVHA implement Act 50 as directed by the Legislature, and that doula services be covered by the state’s Medicaid plan as soon as practical. | | | | | | Parent Child Center Network: Supporting Families in Uncertain Times Parent Child Centers (PCCs) are a critical part of Vermont’s system of care for young children and families. The 15 designated PCCs serve families throughout the state by offering a set of eight Core Services that promote healthy development, prevent maltreatment, and support family stability. These services are designed to be flexible and responsive, whether a family needs emergency financial assistance, parenting support, or help navigating complex benefit systems. The work that PCCs do to help families access basic safety net programs and services is becoming increasingly important as critical supports that have protected the most vulnerable families – those with noncitizen members, parents who have lost jobs or are underemployed, and those who are without stable or safe housing – are being reduced or are more difficult to access. The Alliance supports the Vermont PCC Network’s request for a $1.88 million increase to the PCC Integrated Grant. This funding will ensure that PCCs have staff capacity to serve more families who need support; to expand clients’ access to concrete supports that address immediate needs and buffer young children from extreme hardship; and to implement statewide benefits navigation, to help families enroll in and maintain eligibility for federal programs such as 3SquaresVT, WIC, Medicaid and other health insurance, and affordable housing. Legislative Update The VPCCN has requested a $1.88 million increase in the Statewide Integrated Grant that funds the 15 Centers. Included in this is $180,000 for concrete supports to help families with immediate needs such as utility cut offs, food and diapers, car repairs and other supports to mitigate hardship, $1.2 million for Benefit Assistors at each Center, and $500,000 to cover staff increases and rising health insurance costs. The House FY27 Budget includes $180,000 in funding for concrete supports. Unfortunately, this is one-time funding, rather than base. Advocacy will focus in the Senate on gaining base funding support. The House did not fund the Benefit Assistors project, which was developed in partnership with a coalition of community service providers that assist Vermonters in securing Medicaid and SNAP benefits and other safety net supports as federal rule changes and additional reporting requirements continue to be announced. The House did not include PCCs in a group of service agencies receiving a modest 3% funding increase to account for increased operating costs. Advocacy in the Senate is continuing to gain support for funding for the Assistors proposal and for the PCCs to be included in the group of agencies receiving the annual funding increase. PCCs have stated that level funding for the third year in a row will result in staffing and service reductions. | | | |  | | | | | | | Lead Organization Vermont Parent Child Center Network The Vermont PCC Network includes 15 centers around the state that help families make sure children get off to a healthy start. Services include early childhood services, home visits to families with young children, playgroups, parent education, parent support, and information and referral. | | | | | | Access To Doula Coverage for Medicaid Births: Implement Act 50 (S.53) Vermont enacted legislation last session to begin the process of enabling Vermont families covered by Medicaid to have access to doula services. Doula support is an evidence-based policy that improves outcomes for babies and their families and promotes safer, less expensive births. Doula support is also correlated with improved infant-parent bonding and less postpartum depression and anxiety throughout the perinatal period, and increases equity in our community. This legislation, Act 50 (S.53), instructs the the Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) to create a voluntary certification process for community-based perinatal doulas and requires the Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA) to begin the process of making a formal request to the federal government to include doula services during the prenatal and postpartum periods as well as during labor and delivery in the State Medicaid Plan. The Alliance supports the efforts of the Doula Association of Vermont to ensure that OPR and DVHA implement Act 50 as directed by the Legislature. Legislative Update Following initial implementation challenges with Act 50, and with support from The Alliance, coordinated advocacy efforts were undertaken to address proposed delays and barriers. These efforts included Doula Association of Vermont (DAV) providing testimony to respond to Department of Vermont Health Access (’DVHA)'s concerns and offer clarification on key issues, engaging in direct outreach with legislators through meetings and written communication, and mobilizing state-level stakeholders to demonstrate broad support. As a result, the House Health Care Committee did not adopt DVHA’s request for a two-year implementation delay and instead reached a compromise of a one-year delay. Medicaid coverage for doula services is now scheduled to begin on July 1, 2027. Over the next 18 months, DAV will work closely with the Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) and other stakeholders to finalize the professional regulation and certification of doulas. DVHA will share reimbursement structure and details in Spring of next year and has committed to submitting the State Plan Amendment (SPA) as required by Center for Medicaid Servies (CMS) for coverage to begin. DAV plans to support doulas with certification requirements and training needs as well as provided education and support to families and providers on how to access this service. | | | |  | | | Data and Talking Points - About 40% of all births in Vermont are covered under Medicaid
- In Vermont, in 2021, there were 2,021 Medicaid births, about 38% of total births in the state.
- Doulas offer non-clinical, non-medical, human-to-human support. Doula care is emotional support.
- Studies show that doula care leads to a 30% reduced risk of labor induction, a 28% reduced risk of cesarean section, and a 14% reduced risk of a newborn admission to the NICU.
| | | | Lead Organization Doula Association of Vermont The Doula Association of Vermont is a professional organization dedicated to supporting and advocating for doulas and the families they serve throughout the state. The association provides a network for doulas to connect, share resources, and continue their education through workshops, training sessions, and peer support. By promoting the role of doulas, the association aims to enhance the childbirth experience, offering physical, emotional, and informational support to birthing individuals and their families and advocating for Medicaid coverage for doulas in Vermont. Through their efforts, the Doula Association of Vermont seeks to empower families, improve birth outcomes, and foster a community of compassionate care. | | | | | |  | Alliance ‘26 Legislative Agenda Issue Spotlight – PCCN and Doula Association of VT – 4/6 The Alliance is continuing to host virtual Issue Spotlights that will focus on issues from our 2026 Legislative Agenda. Our next session will be held Monday, April 6, at 3:00 pm, and will focus on two important issues – efforts by the Parent Child Center Network to secure additional funding for their services to the community, and work by the Doula Association of Vermont to ensure that OPR and DVHA implement Act 50 as directed by the Legislature, and that doula services be covered by the state’s Medicaid plan as soon as practical. Hosted by the Parent Child Center Network and the Doula Association of 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. | | | | | | | | | |
