| | CDD Update – Free Supplies Still Available On September 22, the Vermont Child Development Division (CDD) shared an update about supplies of soap and facial coverings that are still available for child care, preschool, afterschool, and CIS providers. Requests for supplies should be made by this Friday October 2. See the CDD update email for detailed information about how to request supplies. | | | | Stimulus Payments for IRS Non-Filers – Deadline is October 15 Voices for Vermont’s Children recently shared an update for people who missed out on stimulus checks due to their non-filing status. Families with incomes below $12,200 ($24,400 for married couples), or whose only source of income is Reach Up (TANF), General Assistance, SSI, or a Veteran's benefit may have missed out on the federal economic stimulus payments issued earlier this summer because their incomes are beneath the threshold required to file income tax returns. Those individuals can still receive their stimulus checks as long as they file a tax form by October 15th. Filing is simple and can be accessed online. | | | |  | Meal Access for Children Webinar – October 1 “Child Nutrition during COVID- What Vermont Community Leaders Need to Know,” a webinar from Hunger Free Vermont's Child Nutrition Initiatives Team, is this Thursday, October 1 at 3:00 pm. The webinar will unpack all of the food access programs currently in place for families with kids, and give participants the tools and information needed to be a food access advocate. Register today! | | | |  | Vermont Census Update – Deadline Approaching, Vermont Rates Go Up In July, the Trump Administration moved the deadline for households to fill out the Census from the end of October to the end of September. However, that decision was overturned in the courts. That decision was itself appealed, so there is some uncertainty about how long forms will be accepted. If you have not responded, you can still do so here. Despite confusion at the federal level, Vermont’s Census participation rate has soared recently due to follow up efforts. Although the self-response rate remains low (60.1%), nonresponse follow up has brought Vermont’s total response rate to 99.5%. This is one of the highest state rates in the country, and should help ensure strong federal funding continues to Vermont for many programs, including Head Start, nutrition assistance, and Medicaid. State level data and information on Census completion can be found at 2020census.gov. | | | | Next week's newsletter will include a 2020 Legislative Agenda Results Summary – stay tuned! | | | | | |  | | | | | 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. | | | | 15 State Street | Montpelier , Vermont 05602 vecaa.org The Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance is a program of the Vermont Community Loan Fund. | | | | | | | | | |
