Southeast VT Building Bright Futures-
Your source for all things early childhood
Early bird gets the worm, or something. Well, this bird's pecking deep today my friends.
Apologies for the tardy monthly newsletter. So let's get right down to it then.
Join us today! (Wednesday, May 13) from 4-5:30pm at Marlboro Graduate Center, 28 Vernon St. Brattleboro for our May council meeting. Check the new date, time (and momentarily) new location. The council leadership team meeting will immediately follow. All are welcome!
This month's letter includes:
- 2015 How Are VT's Young Children & Families
- Let's Grow Kids Blue Ribbon Commission update & May Changemakers Trainings
- Universal PreK-Act 166 May 20th hearing & updates
- VT Child Care Wellness Consultation Program
- Job openings
- Upcoming events and trainings
- Interesting reads, watches and listens
Looking for awesome reads for your children? Check out "Rad American Women A-Z" a picture book for children highlighting feminist heroes.
It's windy out there. Just hold on!
Chad
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| Sandy & Chad sporting BBF's spring line for Month of the Young Child |
802.451.8627 [email protected]
Who is BBF and what do we do? Building Bright Futures (BBF) serves a dual role as both the Vermont Early Childhood Advisory Council and 501(c)(3) statewide network, aligning local solutions of 12 regional Councils with policy at the state level in order to make improvements in access, quality, and affordability of early care, health, and education for families and young children 0-8.
PS. Unfortunately, I flubbed a link in last months newsletter. Because it's such an amazing, inspiring watch, I thought I'd share it again. This time, with a legit link :-) Enjoy!
In talking with others and thinking about who BBF is and what we do, I came across this Ted Talk that describes the idea and need for "Upstreamers." Those that look beyond the problem in front of us and search for/create the space for collaboration and creative solutions. As a statewide network of regional councils and in our role as early childhood advisor to the Governor, we have the opportunity to serve all VT's children and families, looking both near and far.
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SeVT BBF's May 13th Council Meeting
Summer Family Engagement & Smart Start
 Join us today! (Wednesday, May 13) from 4-5:30pm at Marlboro Graduate Center, 28 Vernon St. Brattleboro for our May council meeting. Check the new date, time (and momentarily) new location. The council leadership team meeting will immediately follow. All are welcome!
Our May council meeting will include:
- Summer family engagement opportunities
- Bringing back Smart Start
- Let's Grow Kids
Here is the agenda for the meeting as well as notes from our April 8th meeting.
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"How Are VT's Young Children & Family" Released
BBF's 3rd Annual Report
The release of "How Are Vermont's Young Children and Families?"
March 2015, is the third report prepared by Building Bright Futures. The purpose of the annual report is to provide a factual depiction of the state of young child and family well-being at a point in time, as well as progress on selected indicators and outcomes for the early care, health, and education system. New in this year's report is a section that highlights key indicators for each of the 12 Building Bright Futures' regions in comparison to other regions and to the state as a whole.
To read and download the full report, Click Here. To view and download the southeast VT regional section, Click Here.
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Let's Grow Kids Update
Blue Ribbon Commission & May Changemakers Trainings
Click Here for details on the proposed Blue Ribbon Commission proposal that takes a deep look at how we can improve our child care system in VT.
Coming this may, join Let's Grow Kids, the VT Early Childhood Alliance and Building Bright futures for the May Changemakers trainings. The trainings will focus on statewide organizing and advocacy for early childhood priorities. Click Here for more details, including the May 19th training at Alyson's Orchard in Walpole, NH.
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Update on VT Universal Pre-K
May 20th Public Hearing & Updates
The state is hosting a public hearing on the proposed rules governing Universal Prek (Act 166).
Click Here for details. The May 20th forum will be on VT Interactive TV. The Brattleboro site is included.
As efforts to understand, confirm and implement Vermont's Universal PreK law move forward, Southeast VT Building Bright Futures wants to insure everyone has the most current and relevant information. Additionally, we are working collaboratively with supervisory unions, provider and community partners to organize trainings and informational sessions around the implementation of Act 166.
Click Here for the most recent resources, webinars and updates.
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Teddy Bear Teas in Windham County!
Parent, child & school connection begin this May
If you're a parent of a child 5 or under, check out the "Teddy Bear Teas" nearest you, happening in May throughout the county. Teddy Bear Teas are designed to encourage an open and trusting partnership between home and school. For more info or to sign up, Contact Sandy Stark at Early Education Services, 802-254-3742 ext. 171 or sstarkatwsesu.org.
Click Here to read more.
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Child Care Wellness Consultation Program
Wellness consultation available for early learning programs
The role of the Child Care Wellness Consultant is to work collaboratively with providers to promote the health and development of children, families, and providers and to ensure a healthy and safe child care environment. The Child Care Wellness Consultants are Registered Nurses who have specialized knowledge of health and safety standards and best practices for child care programs.
Click Here for details and how to connect with your local consultant. Also, we will have Cynthia Twombly present at our June 10th council meeting on the program.
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Update on VT's Early Learning Challenge Grant
A detailed update on activities related to VT's ELC grant 
For a full overview and monthly updates,
Click Here
for details on the VT Early Learning Challenge-Race To the Top (ELC-RTT) grant.
The ELC grant is a $36.9 million, federally funded, four-year grant to help build a high-quality and accessible early childhood system in the state so that all young children will be ready to succeed in kindergarten and beyond.
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Parent Resources & Education Guide Available
Convenient reference guide & workshop/class schedule
Click Here to download a pdf version of the Parenting in Your Pocket guide. Need a hard copy or a stack to hand out? Contact Sandy Stark, Welcome Baby Coordinator, at 802.254.3742.
Click Here for the latest listing of parent classes, workshops and support gatherings.
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Vermont Early Childhood Alliance
June 9th annual membership meeting
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 What's Happening?
News & events for and from the field.
News & Updates
- Medicaid Obstetrical and Maternal Support or "MOMS" Program. Click Here for details.
- Child Care Wellness Consultation Program. A VT Dept. of Health registered nurse is available to all STARS participating home and center-based programs for FREE. Click Here for more details.
- Books Build Connections Toolkit. For families & professionals. Click Here to learn more and download FREE materials.
Events
- Summer Food Kick-off Event Friday, June 5, 5-7pm during the Brattleboro Gallery Walk. Click Here for details.
- Camp for a Common Cause, Friday May 29. Benefit for Morningside Shelter and Brattleboro Area Drop in Center. Click Here for details and donate your tents and sleeping bags.
Job Announcements
- Windham County job openings in the early childhood field. For the full list, Click Here.
- EES job openings. Click Here for the job announcement.
Interesting Stuff To Read, Watch & Listen:
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Like & Share Us On The Facebook
You liked us on Facebook and we like you back.
Now that we've surpassed 100, I'm taking 36 days off of bugging you. Be sure to check us out for regular news, articles, tips and interesting posts. Click Here. Thanks!
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