Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month 2025

Every March, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities and its partners collaborate to lead Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. The month highlights how people with and without disabilities come together to form stronger communities.



This year’s theme, We’re Here All Year, emphasizes that community, accessibility, and opportunities for people with developmental disabilities should be recognized and championed every day—not just in March. 

National Women’s History and Gender Equality Month

Recognizing historical and ongoing struggles for equity and equality for women and gender diverse people means we can point out and change systems that are barriers to health. We can change policy, enhance access to health care, and improve health outcomes.

The intersection of multiple identities means women with disabilities or nonbinary individuals facing health care discrimination are most vulnerable when not recognized or supported. However, when we fight for changes to public health strategies that consider social determinants of health, like economic inequality and stigma, we promote the well-being for all communities.

Learn more about the women who have been integral to public health. 

QTPOC Support Group

2STLGBQIA+ people of color seeking support and wanting to have conversations around racial justice and queer liberation are invited to Pride Center’s new virtual QTPOC support group.

This is a space to connect with community members, share experiences, process current events, rest, and brainstorm ways to take actions.

The space will be lightly facilitated, with participants leading most of the conversations. The facilitator may provide guiding questions and activities depending on the group’s need.

This group will be meeting every 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month, 6:30-8:00 p.m. Ongoing participation is welcomed but not required.

To sign up, please fill out this registration form, or call the SafeSpace support line: 802-863-0003.

The Janet S. Munt Family Room

The Janet S. Munt Family Room was one of the community-based organizations that received funding from the Vermont Department of Health and Vermont Community Foundation through the CDC grant titled National Initiative to Address COVID-19 Health Disparities Among Populations at High-Risk and Underserved, Including Racial and Ethnic Minority Populations and Rural Communities. 

The Janet S. Munt Family Room is a unique parent child center providing programs that are accessible to all. The Janet S. Munt Family Room helps build healthy, connected communities by supporting families and young children.

Sixty countries of origin are represented by families and 40 languages are spoken at the Janet S. Munt Family Room. More than 50% of the families who attend are at or below the federal poverty level; these include New Americans, immigrants, refugees, or BIPOC. Many families have experienced adverse childhood experiences, putting them at higher risk. 

The funding allowed the Janet S. Munt Family Room to hire a human resources coordinator, an administrative assistant, and a director of development, which amounted to two full-time equivalents. This increased their capacity to achieve their mission and gave them the support needed to complete their 2023-2028 strategic planning.

Measles

The Vermont Department of Health has confirmed a case of measles in a school-aged child in Lamoille County. The child became sick after returning with their family from traveling internationally in recent days. The risk to the public is believed to be low, as the child has been isolated from most community settings while they have been contagious. Investigation is ongoing. 

This is the first case of measles in Vermont in 2025, following two cases in 2024 and two cases in the decade prior, one in 2011 and one in 2018. This case is not related to the three ongoing domestic outbreaks of measles in the United States or to the current measles outbreak in Québec. 

The Health Department is also urging people in Vermont to make sure their family is vaccinated against measles – especially children. It’s particularly important if you plan to travel outside of the United States. Measles is one of the most contagious diseases and can be dangerous, especially in children younger than 5 years old. About 1 in 5 unvaccinated people in the U.S. who get measles are hospitalized. 

Read the full press release.

For more information about measles, visit HealthVermont.gov/Measles.

Find translated factsheets about measles at the bottom of HealthVermont.gov/Measles.

Visit Vermont Language Justice Project's YouTube site for translated videos about measles.

SNAP-Education Grant Program Request for Proposals 

Proposals are due by April 11, 2025, and should be submitted electronically to Suzanne.Kelley@vermont.gov with a signed cover letter. Award notifications are expected to be made by May 2, 2025.

This opportunity involves implementing direct education, PSE (policy, systems, environment) changes, and/or social marketing for eligible individuals that promotes healthy food choices and physical activity. State, public and private not for profit (501c3) organizations, coalitions, schools, hospitals, municipalities, and other entities are eligible for this opportunity. 

Vermont’s SNAP-Ed programs will reach people eligible for SNAP with an increased emphasis on the following focus populations:

• Single-parent households with children under 18, particularly with children under age five
• Indigenous populations
• People of color
• Immigrants and Refugees resettled in the US
• People living with a disability
• Rural Vermonters, particularly those in Essex, Caledonia, Orleans and Orange counties
• LGBTQ+ people
• People who are unhoused
• Older Vermonters (65+)
• Youth, particularly female students and those who identify as LGBTQ+

Vermont Business Registry and Bid System - Bid Detail

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month 

Is it time for you to start thinking about colorectal cancer screening? The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening for colorectal cancer in adults beginning at age 45 and continuing until age 75. Vermonters should talk to their provider about testing options, and which may be best for them.

The Vermont Language Justice Project and the University of Vermont Health Network produced translated videos that explain colon cancer screening options.