Health Care Stabilization Grant Program Information

The $275 million Health Care Provider Stabilization Grant Program to support an array of health care providers is now accepting applications. The application period will be open through August 15, 2020. Health care and human service providers (including CIS) may use the application to seek grant funding for both COVID-19-related lost revenue and COVID-19-specific incurred expenses.

The VT Department of Health Access COVID-19 webpage has detailed information on how to apply, links to webinars on the program, and the application itself.

CDD Update – New Licensing FAQ Document

On July 14, the Child Development Division (CDD) released an updated licensing FAQ document for child care and afterschool programs. CDD’s licensing information page also includes a resource that outlines what to expect from a child care licensing visit during the COVID crisis. To receive CDD updates directly, sign up for their newsletter.

Vote Smart! Make Early Childhood Issues a Priority this Election 

1:00 pm-2:00 pm, Tuesday, July 28

Vermont's Primary election is coming up on August 11! Join the Alliance and Let's Grow Kids for a discussion on how to ensure that investing in children and families and the early childhood community is a top priority this election. We'll share information about how to find candidates’ positions on early childhood issues and ways to engage with candidates directly, along with an overview of the voting process this year. Register today!

Hunger Free Vermont

Hunger Free Vermont’s mission is to end the injustice of hunger and malnutrition for all Vermonters. Hunger Free Vermont develops carefully integrated strategic initiatives designed to provide low income Vermonters with the most consistent and readily available opportunities to eat the healthy food they require to thrive. They help community organizations, schools, and childcare providers understand and make the most effective use of the federal nutrition programs that feed children through childcare, school, afterschool, and summer meal programs; and families and adults through 3SquaresVT.

Hunger Free Vermont also serves as an important source of education and advocacy about the critical importance of good nutrition in developing and maintaining a healthy and active life, and the necessity of tackling infrastructure barriers at the local, state, regional, and national level that prevent Vermonters from accessing enough healthy food.

Hunger Free Vermont was one of the Lead Organizations working on two issues from the Alliance’s 2020 Legislative Agenda – Universal School Meals and Farm to School and Early Childhood.

The Alliance supports Hunger Free Vermont’s efforts to ensure that every child can eat at school every day, regardless of their caregiver’s ability to pay, by requiring all public schools in Vermont to provide universal school meals by 2025.

 Hunger Free Vermont – with VT FEED and the VT Farm to School Network – also advocated to increase annual funding for the state’s Farm to School program, to ensure early childhood settings serving children ages birth through grade 3 can access program funding for gardening and farm visits, food procurement planning, professional development, and infrastructure and equipment.

This summer, Hunger Free Vermont is working to ensure meal access for families with children (see flyer here). To learn more about Hunger Free Vermont and their programs, visit their website.