News from the Lamoille Valley Buildng Bright Futures
Stalled at the Start
Let's Grow Kids recently released their Stalled at the Start report documenting the very real challenges families are experiencing when trying to find high quality child care programs for their young children.
CLICK HEREto view the detailed webpage and to download the full report, and CLICK HERE to view and download detailed information for Lamoille County.
We're helping Let's Grow Kids to host an evening called "Steering the Conversation" on Monday, June 27 from 6PM till 8PM at River Arts, in Morrisville, to talk more about this issue here in the Lamoille Valley. I hope you can come! PLEASE RSVP to [email protected] if you are interested! Her number is 802 324-8474
Call or text Steve with questions: 802 279-7558
Community Approaches to Toxic Stress - Over the last year, Scott Johnson of the
Lamoille Family Center, and I have been working to develop an issue brief with our partners at the
Center for the Study of Social Policy. We're super proud to share the final version of our work! Please
check it out here and spread it around! These briefs help communities all over the United States understand new science and policy as they work to become healthier and safer places to live work and raise families. Here's how the CSSP says it:
With increased scientific understanding and awareness of the concept of toxic stress, community leaders are searching for ways to prevent and respond to toxic stress in the lives of young children and their families as part of their broader efforts to achieve healthy development and well-being for all children. A new issue brief by CSSP Senior Policy Analyst Cailin O'Connor distills the experience and recommendations of leaders from six communities who were convened by CSSP in the
Early Childhood-LINC Learning Lab on Community Approaches to Toxic Stress.
A definition of toxic stress from a community perspective
A framework for a comprehensive community approach to toxic stress, nested within the broader context of working toward healthy development and well-being
Practical examples of how Early Childhood-LINC network communities are taking action
Recommendations for next steps to promote and further develop comprehensive approaches to toxic stress in communities across the Country
Our Regional Council Meeting - always open to all - takes place the second Tuesday of each month... next meeting is , July 12, at 3:30PM at the Playroom in Morrisville. Everyone is welcome to come - if you're a parent, we have stipends to help you afford to take the time!
Do you have a concern, or problem related to Early Childhood? We're currently talking a lot about act 166, Child Care subsidies, and what's offered to families in the Lamoille Vally. This is a good place to talk about what's going on, and create positive change... ask me more about it: Text or call 802 279-7558
Welcoming new babies and families:
We (Building Bright Futures) offer a Welcome Baby Visit to anyone who asks - it's a way to welcome new families and babies to the community - to learn about playgroups and baby chats, and we give away a meal in a jar, books and a gift card to Hannaford's.
Get in touch if you or someone you know might be interested! Currently our volunteers who do visits are
Anne Farley and
Vicki Rich... they know ALL about having babies and raising them here! - Steve
Get Involved: Joint Child Protection Oversight Committee meeting soon
During the 2016 legislative session, the Legislature considered making changes to the Mandatory Reporter language that was passed in S.9, the Child Protection bill, in 2014. The changes were intended to clarify who has to report without compromising protections to children, and as a result reduce the high volume of calls that the Department of Children and Families has been fielding in the last year.
Unfortunately, the House and Senate could not agree on language and no action was taken. Instead, the issue was passed back to the
Joint Legislative Child Protection Oversight Committee to consider during their summer and fall meetings.
The first meeting of the Joint Committee is scheduled for June 30th, starting at 10:00 AM in the State House. The meeting will last much of the day and cover a range of issues. The Mandatory Reporter issue is scheduled to be discussed at 1:45 PM (though that is subject to change).
Click here to find
