| |  | FaMLI Press Conference – 4/26 In March, the Vermont House passed a strong paid family and medical leave bill, H. 66. With up to 12 weeks of paid leave and virtually universal coverage for Vermont’s workforce, it’s the package Vermonters need and deserve. Now it’s up to the Vermont Senate to get paid leave across the finish line. A coalition of Vermont citizens, advocates, and lawmakers will brief the press on their ongoing efforts advocating for the passage of a universal paid family and medical leave program this year at a press conference on Wednesday, April 26, at 1:00 pm in the Cedar Creek Room in the Vermont Statehouse. To join the campaign to support H.66, please send a message to legislators asking them to support a strong program in Vermont. | | | |  | Landon Innovation Awards – Applications Open The Turrell Fund’s annual S. Whitney Landon Awards recognize and applaud early childhood programs in Vermont that employ exemplary practices, and that include innovative approaches for promoting child and family well‐being that can be replicated to broaden impact. As in past years, this year’s total grant pool is $30,000. Applicants may request up to $5,000. The online application process will be managed by the Vermont Children’s Trust Foundation. More information and how to apply for this year’s Award can be found on the Vermont Children’s Trust Foundation website. The application is open until June 1. Awardees will be notified and funds distributed by Tuesday, July 12th. | | | |  | Alliance Monthly Equity Discussion – Welcoming and Supporting Families from Diverse Cultures in the Classroom – 4/28 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, and the next session is coming up on Friday, April 28, at 1:00 pm.
This month’s session, “Welcoming and Supporting Families from Diverse Cultures in the Classroom,” will offer a chance to learn from Jackie Reno's 17 years as a preschool teacher in Burlington's diverse Old North End Community including 12 years at the Family Room where over 20 different languages are spoken. Jackie is currently the Program Manager and Preschool Director at the Janet S. Munt Family Room, a Parent Child Center providing accessible programs to meet the needs of their diverse community. This Equity Salon will focus on talking about what it is like for families with young children who are new to our community and cultural systems and how educators and community organizations can support and engage families in becoming comfortable in these settings. Click to register on Zoom and receive the meeting link. | | | |  | BBF VECAP Summit – 5/22 Building Bright Futures (BBF) is hosting their annual Vermont Early Childhood Action Plan (VECAP) Summit virtually on May 22 at 1:00 pm. The VECAP is a collective vision of the steps necessary in Vermont to improve the lives of children and families. This gathering will include those from across the 450-person BBF network (State Advisory Council, VECAP Committees, and Regional Councils) to rededicate to the vision, celebrate progress, and inform strategy to collectively work to implement this plan. The Summit will include small group sessions to explore objectives of the VECAP, share BBF’s vision for that objective, monitor progress, and discuss strategy. For more information and to register, visit the BBF website. | | | | Alliance Annual Membership Meeting - Registration Open Join advocates from around the state on May 30 at the Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich to celebrate 2023 early childhood advocacy accomplishments, plan for the 2024 legislative agenda, elect a Steering Committee, and network during a social hour. Participate in an Alliance New Member Orientation or a status check on the 2023 Legislative Agenda issues. Get an update from the DCF Commissioner, Chris Winters, and attend a presentation on a funders’ view of advocacy with representatives from the Turrell Fund and the Couch Family Foundation. See below for registration information and the agenda. More information can be found on the Alliance website. If you have any questions, reach out to Taylor Hughey, Alliance Outreach Manager, at taylor@vecaa.org. | |  | | | | | | | | | 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. | | | | | | | | | |
