Parent Child Center Network Master Grant

Parent Child Centers (PCCs) were established in Vermont statute in the late 1990s. Since that time, the Parent Child Center Network of providers has become more formalized and has worked to establish consistency and quality in service delivery for families across the state. However, state statute and state funding has not kept up with changes in the Network and the services that PCCs provide.

The Governor’s Recommended FY22 Budget provides level funding for the annual Parent Child Center Master Grant. The PCC Network is pushing for funding increases in FY22 and in future years, to eventually reach a level that fully reimburses the community-based agencies for the services they are providing.

The Alliance supports the PCC Network’s effort to pass S.91, the Parent Child Center bill. This bill would update the statutes that govern PCCs to bring a new level of formality into statute and establish clear accountability for PCCs as they deliver essential state services. In addition, the proposed legislation establishes a base funding amount for PCCs that gets closer to covering the actual cost of providing services, plus an annual increase to this base amount.  The Senate Health and Welfare Committee is currently considering this bill.

Continue reading for more information on this priority issue, including data and talking points, connections to the lead organization, and advocacy tools.

Data and Talking Points

• The Eight Core Services the PCCs provide to families with young children are directly in line with the Center for Disease Control’s recommended strategies for preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and building resiliency.
• Research has proven that prevention services targeted at reducing and treating ACEs can dramatically reduce long term health care costs. The PCCs use a family-centered, multi-generational, strength-based approach that both treats and prevents ACEs in families.

Recent survey data illustrates the vital roles that PCCs play in our communities: 

• 85% of parents participating in parent education at the Springfield PCC “feel more capable of handling their child’s behavior and are less stressed.”
• 94% of individuals needing health insurance at the NECKA-St. Johnsbury PCC were successfully enrolled by Health Connect Navigators.
• 141 families, reaching 502 children and adults, were provided emergency assistance with rent, fuel, utilities, food, gas, diapers, and clothing through the Lamoille Family Center.
• 92% of families receiving supervised visitation services at the Orange County PCC were able to retain custody of their children.

Resources and Advocacy Tools

• Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance 2021 Legislative Agenda
• Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance Issue Page – PCCs
•  S.91 – Bill Summary
•  Position on CDD-AOE Merger
• Sample of Vermont PCC statistics and results
• PCC Standards Handout
• Eight Core Services provided by PCCs

Get Involved

• Encourage your Senators to support S. 91, the Parent Child Center bill.

Schedule an Advocacy Training

Schedule an Alliance training for a group of early childhood professionals, providers, parents, or employers interested in strengthening their advocacy skills or learning more about the issues on the Alliance’s Legislative Agenda. Be informed and ensure your voice is heard on issues impacting Vermont's young children and families!

To set up a training, email Matt Levin, Alliance Executive Director, at matt@vecaa.org.