Building Bright Futures

Join our group of peer-to-peer family support and make connections at the September Families & Communities Committee evening, virtual meeting. September 10th, 8pm - 9pm. Caregivers of children 8 and under are eligible for participation payment. Learn More: buildingbrightfutures.org/vecap/families-communities/

Summer meal programs help fill the gaps by providing free meals and snacks to children who might otherwise go hungry. Studies show that when children don’t get proper nutrition, they fall behind their peers academically when returning to school in the fall.

Learn more about BBF Regional Manager Linda's work in Orleans, VT and why our partners at Hunger Free Vermont say summer meals are critical for developing brains on this week's blog.

The Importance of Summer Meal Programs for Children The Importance of Summer Meal Programs for Children

"Every day we partner with children and families. Today is no different. We’re asking you to join us, to call us by our professional name — early childhood educators — and to help us elevate our work and our audacious vision." - Jennifer Olson, early childhood educator of Hinesburg

Opinion — Jennifer Olson: We are early childhood educators We’re asking you to join us, to call us by our professional name and to help us elevate our work and our audacious vision.

YOU are invited! Join the September Families & Communities Committee meeting. Caregivers of children age 8 and younger are eligible for participation payment. Learn more and register at buildingbrightfutures.org/vecap/families-communities/

Just released! Check out our newest data brief "Special Accommodation Grants: Increasing Equitable Access to High-Quality Child Care for Children with Specialized Needs."

Read more and download the brief at buildingbrightfutures.org/data-brief-special-accommodation-grants/

New Data Brief Offers Insights into Special Accommodation Grants in Vermont New Data Brief Offers Insights into Special Accommodation Grants in Vermont

We are now accepting applications for Vermont Early Childhood Fund (VECF) grants for the January 1–September 30, 2025, funding period! Sign up for info sessions TODAY at buildingbrightfutures.org/vecf/

VECF supports creative solutions that will improve the well-being of children from the prenatal period to age 8, their families, and the Vermont communities where they live.

Building Bright Futures is now accepting applications for Vermont Early Childhood Fund (VECF) grants for the January 1–September 30, 2025, funding period. Learn more and register for the upcoming, virtual info sessions at buildingbrightfutures.org/vecf/

VECF supports creative solutions that will improve the well-being of children from the prenatal period to age 8, their families, and the Vermont communities where they live.

It’s that time of year again! Woohoo! Join us for our annual Seed & Sew Professional Development Day, focusing on solutions for challenging behaviors and promoting safe relationships with children and families. We are jazzed to be able to donate our time to share these tools with you. Attend the morning or afternoon session; each session includes both 90-minute workshops by S.E.E.D. Certification® educators.

Date: August 22, 2024
Location: Holy Family Catholic Church - 30 Lincoln St, Essex Junction, VT 05452
Morning Session: 8:30am-12:00pm (there will be a 30 min break between workshops)
Afternoon Session 1:00pm-4:30pm (there will be a 30 min break between workshops)

*If you are outside of VT or unable to attend in person, please join us virtually! Choose the morning or afternoon session.*

Register here: https://www.seedandsew.org/pdday

The Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children (VTAEYC) is accepting applications for their 2024 Exchange Program! Applications accepted until August 15th. Selected fellows will specialize in one of four critical intersections: community, equity, planet, or creative arts. Over the nine-month fellowship, from October to June, fellows will engage deeply in advocacy work within their chosen area.

✨ Benefits of the Fellowship:
Stipend: $1,200 to support your advocacy efforts
Duration: 9 months (October 2024 - June 2025), approx. 2-3 hrs/week
Experience: Hands-on advocacy practice and professional growth

🔗 Apply now and find more information at: www.vtaeyc.org/exchange

Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to make a difference! Share this post and tag someone who should apply!

VTAEYC Exchange The VTAEYC Exchange aims to inspire learning and action where early childhood intersects with society’s most pressing issues.

BBF's Families and Communities Committee and our partners at are hosting a free, virtual learning session for parents, "Advocating for Your Child: Communicating Effectively." Join us on August 15th from 10am to 12pm. Register here

us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUude6tpjMtHN1dTYXO0SBf7K2keG9VF2aW #/registration

Thank you Heavenly Cents Thrift Shop in Essex Junction, VT for their generous donation! Consider making a donation to support bright futures for all Vermont children at buildingbrightfutures.org/donate

We have flood resources and we're ready to support you. Please call 855-663-5224 or stop into our Flood Resource Center at 115 Lincoln Street in Town of St. Johnsbury to access these supports or to seek shelter during the daytime.

We offer:
-Assistance with resource navigation
-Emergency housing support
-Food, water, clothing
-Flood buckets and mucking supplies (including cleaning supplies)
-Dehumidifiers and box fans
-Use of washer and dryer
-Flood damage reporting assistance

Our Families and Communities Committee monthly daytime meeting is August 1st at 10am. Parents and caregivers with children age 8 or younger are eligible for participation payment. Learn more and find the Zoom link at buildingbrightfutures.org/vecap/families-communities/

Free back to school supplies available for child care centers! The Vermont Department for Children and Families, CDD STARS team designed 17 different resource bundles filled with books and materials for child care programs. Check out the link below before July 31 to select your bundles!

https://tinyurl.com/cddstarsresourcebundles

Whether you have been personally affected or your work with children and families has been affected by last week’s flood, we here at BBF want you to know we are here to support your effort.

Here is a list of resources that have been pulled together from community partners so far. Please share these widely and use them in your work to help families and businesses get back on their feet again!

Sharing Resources for Families and Educators After Floods Sharing Resources for Families and Educators After Floods

For everyone within our Good Beginnings family - whether you are parents, caregivers, volunteers or community partners: please make note of this resource for those affected by our most recent floods!

📍 Do you live in Vermont? Do you care about your community? Are you committed to actively and visibly working to reduce discrimination and increase opportunities for women in Vermont?

If you answered yes to all three of these questions, we would like to hear from you!

🔍The Vermont Commission on Women (VCW) is currently recruiting new Commissioners. We are especially interested in finding Commissioners from Bennington, Caledonia, Essex, Grand Isle, Orange, Windsor and Windham Counties. Everyone is encouraged to apply: black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), people from working-class backgrounds, people with disabilities, men, young people, and LGBTQIA2S+ people.

Will you join us?

🌲As a VCW Commissioner, you would attend and participate in regular meetings and community outreach engagements, collaborating with other Commissioners, staff, and community members virtually and in-person to make Vermont inclusive, equitable and welcoming. Commissioners qualify for compensation and mileage reimbursement.

📧Please email Cary Brown to learn more about the application process: [email protected]. And remember, even if you don’t think you meet these criteria, but you are interested in learning more, please reach out: [email protected].

Join us Thursday! July 18 from 10-11:30 a.m., the BBF Families & Communities Committee is hosting a free online panel of family leadership experts from Vermont, Missouri, Maine, Pennsylvania, and the National Center for Family & Parent Leadership. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0rfuGgpz8oGtExUmms5GAAoW1uZIBIaYfw

From Green Mountain United Way

If you are currently impacted by today's flooding, Vermont 2-1-1 is here to help. Their website includes a number of resources for people who are impacted by natural disasters, and people are working this morning to update the website with current info related to today's flooding.
It's hard to believe we are again in flood recovery mode in central and northeastern Vermont. Thankfully we live in a state full of people who are helping.

Home - Vermont 211 Vermont 211 is here to provide all people in Vermont with connections to community, health and human resources. We promote the health and well-being of all people in Vermont. Get started with Vermont 211 today!

Share your family's health care story. Join community leaders, neighbors, hospital leaders, legislators, and state officials to discuss options to improve healthcare access, affordability, quality, and sustainability.

Attend a meeting in your region: https://bit.ly/Healthcare-Community-Meetings

7/10 St. Albans / Northwestern Medical Ctr 6pm
7/11 St. Johnsbury / NVRH 6pm
7/15 Windsor / MAHHC 6pm
7/16 Springfield / Springfield Hospital 4:30pm
7/17 Brattleboro / BMH 6pm
7/18 Townshend / GCH 6pm
7/22 Morrisville / Copley Hospital 6pm
7/23 Barre / CVMC 6pm
7/24 Randolph / Gifford Medical Ctr 6pm
7/29 Burlington / UVMC 6pm
7/30 Middlebury / PMC 6pm
7/31 Rutland / RRMC 6pm
8/1 Bennington / SVMC 7pm
8/5 ONLINE/Microsoft Teams 6pm

Friday in Lyndonville!

Family leadership is crucial to building early childhood systems that are equitable, supportive, and accessible for all children and families. On Thursday, July 18, from 10-11:30 a.m., the BBF Families & Communities Committee is hosting a free online panel of family leadership experts from Vermont, Missouri, Maine, Pennsylvania, and the National Center for Family & Parent Leadership. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0rfuGgpz8oGtExUmms5GAAoW1uZIBIaYfw

The Early Childhood Data Portal includes topics on mental health. Swipe through to see a few of the new indicators we have added! Learn more about the portal by visiting http://vermontkidsdata.org

Spread the word, and complete the survey if you are a BIPOC Vermonter!

Happy July! Take 15 minutes this month to fill out the BIPOC Community Survey. You'll be asked about yourself, your experience in VT, your experience with existing resources in the state, VT PoC, and how you like to stay connected!

🔗 Link to survey: https://bit.ly/vcs101

has resources available to learn more about the Child Care Contribution Tax. Watch webinars for employers and self-employed individuals and view their in-depth guide at https://tax.vermont.gov/business/child-care-contribution

During pride month - and every month - it's so important for LGBTQIA+ youth to feel seen and safe at home. Want to learn more about fostering acceptance? Join Prevent Child Abuse Vermont at their upcoming event: Nurturing, Valuing, and Protecting LGBTQIA+ Youth on July 3rd at 11:00 AM. Together, let’s create a safe and inclusive environment for all children💛

🌈 Parent Tip Tuesday: Pride Edition!🌈 This week’s Parent Tip Tuesday focuses on supporting LGBTQIA+ youth. Want to learn more about fostering acceptance at home? Join our upcoming event: Nurturing, Valuing, and Protecting LGBTQIA+ Youth on July 3rd at 11:00 AM EDT. Together, let’s create a safe and inclusive environment for all children💛

Help is here. Vermont now has enhanced mobile crisis response teams throughout the state. Service is available 24/7 to individuals experiencing mental health, substance use, or co-occurring crises. Call or text 9-8-8!

Saturday! Join us at the Empty Arms Vermont 5K Run & Walk!

The Early Childhood Data Portal includes topics on basic needs including financial assistance, nutritional support, and housing. Swipe through to see a few of the new indicators we have added!

Learn more about the portal by visiting vermontkidsdata.org