Parent Child Center Network Integrated Grant

Parent Child Centers (PCCs) were established in Vermont statute in the late 1990s. Since that time, the PCCs' network of providers has become more formalized and has worked to establish consistency and quality in service delivery for families across the state. However, state statute and state funding has not kept up with changes in the Network and the services that PCCs provide.

The Alliance supports the PCC Network’s effort to pass S.91, the Parent Child Center bill. This bill would increase base funding for the Integrated Grant by $1.5 million, update the statutes that govern PCCs to bring a new level of formality into statute, and establish clear accountability for PCCs as they deliver essential state services. The Senate Health and Welfare Committee is currently considering this bill. In addition, the PCCN is asking for a second-year of one-time funding ($3.7m) to address the needs of the families they serve who are still struggling with the effects of the COVID pandemic. 

Continue reading for more information on this priority issue, including data and talking points, connections to the lead organization, and advocacy tools.

Data and Talking Points

• Parent Child Centers were a remarkable innovation when they were first created nearly 30 years ago, and they are still on the cutting edge of prevention work with vulnerable families. The work that PCCs do helps families cope successfully with both the timeless challenges of all families with young children and the new challenges of the 21st century. 
• PCCs are a critical partner with the state, providing essential state services to families with young children. 
• PCC prevention programs and services build protective factors in families that improve families’ overall well-being, strengthen a child’s environment, and reduce the likelihood of abuse and neglect. 

Survey data from 2021 illustrates the vital roles that PCCs play in our communities: 

• 85% of parents participating in parent education at the Springfield PCC “feel more capable of handling their child’s behavior and are less stressed.”
• 94% of individuals needing health insurance at the NECKA-St. Johnsbury PCC were successfully enrolled by Health Connect Navigators.
• 141 families, reaching 502 children and adults, were provided emergency assistance with rent, fuel, utilities, food, gas, diapers, and clothing through the Lamoille Family Center.
• 92% of families receiving supervised visitation services at the Orange County PCC were able to retain custody of their children.

Resources and Advocacy Tools

•  S.91 – Bill Summary
•  Position on CDD-AOE Merger
• Sample of Vermont PCC statistics and results
• PCC Standards Handout
• Eight Core Services provided by PCCs
• PCC Case Studies
• PCC Report Back on FY22 Funding

Get Involved

• Encourage your Senators to support S. 91, the Parent Child Center bill.
• Find your local Parent Child Center!

Alliance Legislative Happy Hour: PCC Network Funding and Early Childhood Education - 1/24

This winter, the Alliance will be hosting four virtual “Legislative Happy Hours” leading up to this year’s ECDL. Each session will focus on one or two issues from the Alliance’s 2022 Legislative Agenda. Joined by representatives from the lead organizations, participants will be able to ask direct questions and hear a brief legislative update regarding the issues. 

The next session will be held Monday, January 24 from 3:30 to 4:15 pm. It will focus on two topics – early childhood education and Parent Child Center Network funding.

Hosted by representatives from Let’s Grow Kids, the Vermont Parent Child Center Network, and the Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children, this session is a great opportunity to learn more about early childhood education policy, understand the advocacy efforts to support the Parent Child Center Network, and receive an update on where their issues stand in the Legislature.

Click here to register through Zoom.