Alliance ‘26 Legislative Agenda Issue Spotlight – Reach Up and CIS – 4/13 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 13, at 3:00 pm, and will focus on two important issues – efforts by Voices for Vermont’s Children to get full funding for Reach Up and eliminate the arbitrary asset limit to simplify eligibility, and work to support the state’s CIS and SAG programs. Hosted by Voices for Vermont’s Children and the Alliance, this session is a great opportunity to learn more about these important issues, where they stand in the Legislature, and how to get involved. Register on Zoom to receive the meeting link. | |
Week of the Young Child April 11 - 17 is the annual Week of the Young Child. Whether celebrating this week, next week, or for a whole month, VTAEYC and NAEYC invite you to celebrate and shine a spotlight on classrooms, advocacy, and family engagement activities in your community via social media. Visit the NAEYC website for resources throughout the week. | |
Alliance Equity Discussion – “Caring for and Protecting Marginalized Children: Honesty, Accountability, and Partnership” – 4/17 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 Thursday, April 17, at 1:00 pm. Our discussion this month will focus on what it means to care for and protect marginalized children, particularly immigrant children and children of color, within early childhood settings. Together, we will explore the differences in how children experience care, the real impact of those differences, and how we as educators can show up with greater awareness, intention, and accountability. This conversation will also center how we partner with families in honest and collaborative ways – recognizing both where we are doing well and where growth is needed to ensure all children are safe, valued, and truly seen. Our discussion will be led by Tessa Dearborn, Executive Director of Red Clover Children’s Center and 2025 Equity x Young Children Fellow with VT AEYC, whose work focuses on transforming awareness of bias and privilege into meaningful, accountable practice. Register on Zoom to receive the meeting link. | |
VT Schools and Early Childhood Education Local Food Purchasing Evaluation Released The Vermont Farm to School & Early Childhood Network just released a new evaluation on local food purchasing in the state’s schools and early childhood education programs. Vermont schools now spend about 14% of their food budgets on local food, totaling roughly $3.5 million a year and representing a 150% increase since 2014. About 70% of early childhood education programs report serving local food, and nearly all weave food education into their programming. Learn more about Vermont’s progress and read the report on the Vermont Farm to School website. | |
Join the Alliance Early Childhood Day at the Legislature (ECDL) was a huge success last month, with over 200 attendees and 74 legislators coming together to discuss early childhood issues, attend workshops on current topics, and network and exchange information. You can read more about the Day and review some of the session slides and resources on the ECDL website. We are looking forward to our upcoming Annual Membership Meeting on June 4 at the Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich, VT. More information about registration will be released in the coming weeks. Now is a great time to join or renew your membership with the Alliance! Joining as an Individual Member is free and only takes five minutes. Find more information about our membership levels and join on our membership website. | |
