| | This Issue Update newsletter is part of a series that provides more information on each priority issue on the Alliance's 2023 Legislative Agenda. The Legislative Agenda is crafted annually in partnership with early childhood organizations that are advancing legislative policy solutions related to health, safety, food security, economic security, and early care and education. The nine priority issues were selected by the Alliance's 21 member Steering Committee. | | | | | | **Note that although we are using a Zoom Event Registration Platform for registration this year, ECDL is entirely IN-PERSON in Montpelier! We want to be prepared in case we have to make a last-minute switch to a virtual conference if the public health situation changes before March. | | | | | The Junior League of Champlain Valley (JLCV) founded their entirely volunteer-run diaper bank in 2018 to provide diapers to low-income Vermont families in Chittenden County. Five years later, the program is now statewide and increased demands have outpaced the organization’s ability to administer and organize it effectively. The Alliance supports JLCV’s efforts to secure ongoing funding of $380,000 to support a long-term Vermont Diaper Bank that will work with the existing network of community partners to secure and distribute diapers to low-income Vermont families and alleviate diaper need in the state. The League’s funding request is currently being considered in the House, which writes their version of the state’s budget first. The House Human Services Committee will likely recommend to the House Appropriations Committee that one-time support, rather than ongoing (base) funding, be allocated for the Diaper Bank, with funding levels unspecified. Advocacy continues in both the House and the Senate in support of full, permanent funding for the program. | | | |  | Data and Talking Points - Diaper need impacts one in three U.S. families
- It can cost up to $80 per month to diaper a child
- In its first year, 2018, the JLCV Diaper Bank partnered with five organizations to distribute more than 35,000 diapers and diapering supplies in the Chittenden County area.
- In 2022, JLCV distributed a total of over 879,000 diapers throughout Vermont to 1,900 families per month through 57 community partners.
- Since its founding, the JLCV Diaper Bank has distributed over 2.5 million diapers.
| | | | | | Lead Organization Junior League of Champlain Valley The Junior League is an organization of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. Above all else, their goal is to promote and perpetuate social change in those Vermont communities that will benefit most from it. By empowering women and providing valuable leadership training, they are giving local women the tools to get involved, put their talents to work, and positively impact the communities of Vermont. As one of hundreds of Junior League chapters across the world, they are a member of the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. (AJLI). Established in 1985, the JLCV plays an integral part in the development, improvement, and support of the communities of Vermont. | | | | Resources and Advocacy Tools | | | | | |  | | | | | 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. | | | | 7 School Street | Montpelier , Vermont 05602 vecaa.org The Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance is a program of the Vermont Community Loan Fund. | | | | | | | | | |
