We believe all children should have the best start in life.
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Building Bright Futures serves as the county's early childhood Council. Our Action Plan reflects community priorities and guides our work. This is done at monthly Council meetings, committees and for my work as the Regional Coordinator. Here are some examples of projects as they connect to the Council's Action Plan,
Children and Families are Supported: Children live in homes free of abuse and neglect
Several BBF Council members participate in the KidSafe Collaborative. Recent discussions included the impact of the recently-imposed Immigration Travel Ban.
Children are Healthy: Support children's social and emotional growth and families accessing supports
As Regional Coordinator, I'm support the Children's Integrated Services system both on the Amin. Team and facilitating retreats to strengthen working relationships between CIS-Early Intervention and School District partners.
Children are Learning: School culture and climate facilitates parent and family engagements
Council meeting discussions about how to counter hate and create an inclusive climate to learn and work. In addition to work at the Council, I'm also convening a Language Access Learning Community with 14 organizations and agencies to reduce language access barriers.
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Rally for Kids
Wednesday, March 15, 2017 1:00pm.
Meet on the front steps of the State House during the Early Childhood Day at the Legislature.
Let's show the full force of our support for Vermont's youngest children! Join this peaceful demonstration to advocate for increased public investments in high-quality, affordable child care. Learn more here.
Want a little prep before you advocate for issues? Let's Grow Kids is offering a training at their office in Burlington's South End on February 20 and 28 from 6-8pm. Contact Jessica Barquist to register. There are also 1-hour phone calls on March 8, 10 and 13 at 1pm. Contact Kelly Ault from the Vermont Early Childhood Alliance to register for those.
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Community Substance Abuse Education
Substance abuse is an issue that affects all of us; as parents, providers and neighbors. This was evident in a conversation at our October BBF Council meeting. The Chittenden County Opioid Alliance has new messages to engage in community substance abuse education created by the
Chittenden Prevention Network. Here is one of the messages getting shared across the region,
Drugs and alcohol are not easy topics to bring up, especially with children or teens who may seem like they're not listening. The truth is that children care deeply about their parents' opinions-even if they don't show it directly. In fact, the #1 reason kids give for not drinking is that they don't want to disappoint their parents.
Tips for talking with your kids that may help at different ages can be found at ParentUP Vermont here:
talk to kids
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Bill Introduced To Create
Fairness for Pregnant Workers
A bill (
H.136, An act relating to accommodations for pregnant employees
) was just introduced in the VT legislature to address this. Last year, the Vermont Commission on Women was called to
provide testimony
on a similar bill in the legislature about the impacts of these protections, both personal, and for the broader economic well-being of VT women and families. This year, they may testify again, and we'll share stories of VT women.
Do you have a story you'd like to share with policy makers about working while pregnant in VT and not receiving the accommodations you needed? Share it with the Vermont Women's Commission:
lilly.talbert@vermont.gov
.
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For your Calendar:
Chittenden BBF Regional Council meets the first Thursday of the month. The next Council meeting will be Thursday, March 9 from 5-7pm at the Howard Center 1138 Pine Street, Burlington.
Notes from the February 2 meeting about the transition of direct services funds and tools for advocacy are
here
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Regional Networks and Building Bright Futures (BBF)
Chittenden BBF Council is one of 12 Councils State-wide
working to improve
access, quality, and affordability of early care, health, and education
for families and young
children
0-8
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Link
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Funding Provided by
SAMHSA's Project LAUNCH
L
inking Actions for Unmet Needs in Children's Health
For all children to reach social, emotional, behavioral, physical, and cognitive milestones - to thrive in school and beyond Learn more about
Learn more about Vermont Project Launch
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Stay Connected
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