Legislative Update

The legislature is beginning what will be a rather long, twisty process of developing the bills necessary to do their part of emergency response, and also finish the work of the legislative session that was interrupted on March 13.

Committees continue to meet virtually, and meetings are viewable online. The Appropriations Committees are focused on making changes to the current year’s budget to take into account emergency response, and will soon consider how to develop the budget for the coming fiscal year that starts in July (FY21). Other committees are talking about how various sectors of the economy will re-open. Discussions about how to spend the federal emergency response funding have yet to begin.

The current projections are that the legislature will remain in session for at least the next several weeks, to consider all these issues. Now is a great time to get in touch with legislators and share with them how your sector is experiencing the ongoing emergency.

Please get in touch with Alliance Executive Director Matt Levin (matt@vecaa.org) or with one of the Lead Organizations on our ’20 Legislative Agenda for more specific information and updates.

Alliance Webinar Survey

In April 2020, the Alliance hosted a series of webinars on early childhood issues - from virtual advocacy to equity in COVID-19 response. As we plan future webinars, we'd like to hear from you! Please let us know what you’d like to see from the Alliance next by completing this survey.

Recordings from the April 2020 Webinar Series are now available on our website, and at the links below:

• Virtual Advocacy - Taking Action During COVID-19 (4/20)
• Promoting Equity in COVID-19 Response (4/27)
• Getting Back to Advocacy on Child Care and Early Education with Let’s Grow Kids (5/4)
• Advocacy for the Early Childhood Community 101 (4/15) - Please contact Alliance Public Engagement Director Charlie Gliserman at charlie@vecaa.org for a customized review of this content.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule a virtual advocacy training for your staff, please reach out to Charlie Gliserman at charlie@vecaa.org.

Job Openings with Alliance Members

Are you looking for a new job in Vermont’s early childhood network? Several members of the Alliance are hiring:

• Hunger Free Vermont is seeking a Food Security Specialist and an AmeriCorps VISTA/ Community Engagement Coordinator. For more information, visit the Hunger Free Vermont employment page.
• Vermont Family Network has openings for a Family Resource Coordinator, a Developmental Educator, and an Administrative Specialist. Please visit their website to learn more.
• The Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition is hiring an AmeriCorps VISTA/Communications and Outreach position, to start in August. More information can be found on their Idealist posting.

VTAEYC Professional Development Opportunities

The Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children (VTAEYC) has added two additional online opportunities to attend its Northern Lights-approved, real-time training. In this workshop, participants will deepen and extend their understanding of the workforce-led efforts to advance early childhood education as a recognized, cohesive profession in Vermont.

For more information and to register, visit the VTAEYC website.