| | 2019 Legislative Agenda Issue Update TEACH, Loan Repayment, and Tax Credits Recommendations for policies that support early educators, as well as a new incentive for employers who support their employees in accessing quality early childhood programs, are included on the Alliance's 2019 Legislative Agenda, along with two additional issues being monitored. This issue newsletter is part of a series that provides more information on each priority issue on the Agenda. This Agenda is crafted by the Alliance Steering Committee annually in partnership with early childhood organizations that are advancing policy solutions through the legislative process. Continue reading for more information on this topic, including data and talking points, connections to the lead organizations and other partners, and advocacy tools. | | | | Early Educator Supports Vermont does not have enough qualified early educators to fill open positions in the early childhood system. Additionally, many talented and qualified early educators are not entering the field in part because of low pay and minimal benefits. In order to reverse this trend, the Alliance and lead organizations are advocating for three policies to support early educators, as well as a new incentive for employers who support their employees in accessing quality early childhood programs. | | | | | | TEACH Vermont Scholarships Vermont is now facing a serious shortage of qualified early childhood licensed teachers, teachers, and assistants. To help address this shortage, T.E.A.C.H. Vermont supports scholarships for early educators currently working in Vermont's early childhood system. State funding is needed to sustain and expand T.E.A.C.H. scholarships. A state budget allocation in FY20 of $550,000 would support the current number of teachers receiving scholarships for three different programs (50 Associates, 20 Licensure, 70 Apprenticeships). $1.2 million would expand the program to include a bachelor's degree scholarship, which is a necessary step needed to attain Teacher Licensure, become a Lead Teacher or become the Director of a center-based program licensed for 60 or more children. The Alliance supports the efforts of lead organizations to maintain T.E.A.C.H. through state funding and expand the program in subsequent years. Lead Organizations: Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children, Vermont Child Care Industry and Careers Council, Let's Grow Kids This issue is included in two early care and learning bills currently being considered by the House Human Services Committee: H.194 and H.349. | | | | | | Early Educator Student Loan Repayment Support Graduates who earn bachelors' degrees in early education earn the lowest of any college degree in the country, and the average student loan debt burden in Vermont is $30,651. Low pay combined with the high cost of college education can make it hard for new early educators to remain in the field. The Alliance supports efforts by lead organizations to establish a student loan repayment support program for new early educators working as a lead teacher in a regulated early childhood program. Lead Organizations: Let's Grow Kids, Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children, Vermont Child Care Industry and Careers Council This issue is included in two early care and learning bills currently being considered by the House Human Services Committee: H.194 and H.349. | | | | | | Early Educator Tax Credits Early educators are the heart of our early care and learning system. However, the median hourly wage for a child care worker in Vermont is $12.71 per hour, often without benefits. These low wages can make it hard for early educators to remain in the early care and learning fields, especially considering that peers with similar education, skills, and experience often earn far more in other fields. In order to support and sustain Vermont's current early educators, the Alliance supports efforts by a lead organization to establish a refundable tax credit for early educators to close the current wage gap while system efforts are undertaken to address the root causes of the problem. Lead Organization: Let's Grow Kids, Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children, Vermont Child Care Industry and Careers Council This issue is included in an early care and learning bill currently being considered by the House Human Services Committee, H.194, and a workforce development bill currently being considered by the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee. | | | | | | Employer Child Care Investment Incentives Employers recognize that Vermont's lack of affordable child care causes stress on their employees and can lead to lower production and increased absenteeism. They understand that our future workforce depends on a strong start today. To incentivize employers to invest in the early care and learning system, the Alliance supports a lead organization in introducing refundable tax credits for employers for the next six tax years to help businesses launch, sustain, or grow child care supports for their employees and provide direct financial support to Vermont's early care and learning system. This proposal is based on initiatives from 29 other states. Lead Organization: Let's Grow Kids, Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children, Vermont Child Care Industry and Careers Council This issue is included in an early care and learning bill currently being considered by the House Human Services Committee, H.194, and a workforce development bill currently being considered by the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee. | | | | | | Resources and Advocacy Tools | | Schedule an Advocacy Training on Legislative Issues Schedule an Alliance training for parents and professionals interested in strengthening advocacy techniques and communication skills. Be informed and ensure your voice is heard on issues impacting Vermont's young children, families, and the early childhood workforce. | | | | Early Childhood Day at the Legislature - 3/13/19 Registration has opened for this important annual day of advocacy and skill-building workshops. Early Childhood Day at the Legislature (ECDL) is an annual day of advocacy, education, and networking co-hosted by the Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance, Let's Grow Kids, and Building Bright Futures, that brings together early childhood professionals and providers, parents, employers, business owners, and policymakers to engage on early childhood issues. The agenda for this 25th annual event includes issue and advocacy workshops, lunch with Legislators, state house tours, a rally, a birthday party celebrating 25 years of ECDL, and more. Register online, find a detailed agenda, and download the registration flyer to share with your networks (all at the link). | | | | | | | | The Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance is a statewide advocacy coalition formed in 2000 of early childhood professionals and providers, parents, and employers committed to improving public policies that impact young children from birth to age eight on issues 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 https://vecaa.org The Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance is a program of the Vermont Community Loan Fund. | | | | | | | | | |
