June 29, 2015
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Southeast VT Building Bright Futures-
Your source for all things early childhood

I think I started off my last telegraph with "I love summer." One aspect of summer that is definitely not in the "love" category is a summer cold. Can I get two thumbs down and a round of booooos please? 

 

As the fog of sniffling slowly subsides, here are a number of updates and announcements since our June 10th council meeting. The big deal is, of course, our July 16th Summer Family Picnic. Check out the details and make sure you and the fam can make it. AND, invite someone you don't know to join us! Maybe a neighbor or parent you see when picking up your child that you've always wanted to connect with, but haven't yet. Pizza and family! What a great way to get to know someone.

 

This month's telegraph from hence forth) includes:

  • Southeast VT BBF Regional Council July celebration 
  • June council meeting updates
  • Revised council operating principles
  • Universal PreK-Act 166 Frequently Asked Questions released & PreK updates for 2015-2016 school year
  • Approved FY 2016 Direct Services Grant proposal
  • Let's Grow Kids Blue Ribbon Commission passes & campaign updates
  • Early Learning Challenge May update
  • Windham County Fit & Healthy Kids Toolkit for educators & families released
  • Job openings, including two vital child transportation positions
  • Upcoming events and trainings
  • Interesting reads, watches and listens

Paz-

 

Chad

 Come join us for our Summer Family Picnic, Thursday July 16 in Brattleboro!

802.451.8627

csimmons@buildingbrightfutures.org


 

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.



 

 


SeVT BBF's July 16th Summer Family Picnic  
Annual BBF council celebration

Southeast VT BBF will host a summer family picnic on
Thursday, July 16th from 5-7pm at the Kiwanis Shelter at the top of Living Memorial Park, 61 Guilford St, Brattleboro (just up the hill from the pool). All are welcome. Free food, refreshments and activities (pizza provided by Rigani Pizza). This will be a laid-back, fam-friendly, amazingly awesome event to connect, eat and have fun. Need a ride? Call Chad and we'll hook you up. 802.451.8627. Click Here for the Facebook event. 


Please share this far and wide. AND...invite one neighbor, family, co-worker or someone you wanted to get to know, but haven't. This is a great opportunity to meet and connect with families. 

 **The picnic will be in place of our regularly scheduled BBF Council meetings. No meeting July 8th**

 

Help wanted! If you would like to help with the event, please contact me at 802.451.8627. We'll need help with outreach, parking, setup, take down and making desserts. Thanks!


Updates & Notes From June Council Meeting
Revised council operating principles, notes & presentation slides

We made several big decisions at our June council meeting. We also had an informative presentation on the Vermont Nurse Childcare Wellness Consulting Program. Click Here to read both the notes and view the presentation slides. Read the updates below for more detail on the decisions and updates from the council meeting.

 


 

Revised Council Operating Principles

Council reviews and approves updated operating principles


 

Click Here to read. This document guides how we do what we do and lays out the structure of our council. The revised operating principles approved at our June 10th council meeting lay out how we encourage diverse, regional participation and how we make decisions. The most significant change was the revising of our council structure. The full council (which meets monthly) will make decisions on council operations (strategies, budget, events). Any council member (any individual, agency or organization interested in our mission) can vote. The Leadership Team provides direction, accountability and encourages diverse involvement. This team will be elected annually.


Council Approves FY 16 Direct Service Grant
Grant focus on building family connection throughout region

The council reviewed and approved this coming year's Building Bright Futures Direct Service grant which funds the Welcome Baby Program, Teddy Bear Teas, Month of the Young Child and parent/family education activities. Click Here to view this year's approved plan.


 

Update on VT Universal Pre-K

Act 166 Updates and Public Comment period ends June 10th


 

Click Here to see the newly revamped Act 166, public Pre-K webpage. This includes the recently added Frequently Asked Questions, a compilation of questions and answers from the past several months.

Below are details on the four Supervisory Unions in our region and how each will proceed with publicly funded PreK for the 2015-2016 school year. 

  • Windham Southwest Supervisory Union PreK programs (Whitingham Town School District and Wilmington Town School District are "early adopters" of Act 166, Vermont Universal PreK Law). Click Here for details.
  • The entire supervisory union is adapting Universal PreK/Act 166 for the 2015-2016 school year. Click Here for details (note different pages for providers and parents).
  • Windham Southeast will continue it's current PreK programs and will be adapting Universal PreK/Act 166 in the 2016-2017 school year. Click Here for details.
  • Windham Northeast will continue it's current PreK programs and will be adapting Universal PreK/Act 166 in the 2016-2017 school year. For details, contact Molly Oglesby at 802.463.1612 or molly.oglesby@wnesu.com

BBF State & Regional Strategic Planning
Organizational workplan released & regional planning continues

Click Here to view BBF's organization workplan, a detailed blueprint of what we want to achieve and how we plan to do it.

Our regional strategic planning continues. A small group continues to meet and refine the draft regional strategic action plan that is aligned with Vermont's Early Childhood Action Plan. We'll be spending the summer connecting with community partners to hone the plan in order to meet the needs of our children and families. Want to help shape our plan? Contact Chad at 802.451.8627 or csimmons@buildingbrightfutures.org.


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. Click Here to read the May updates.


 
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.


"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.

  

Let's Grow Kids Update
Blue Ribbon Commission included in FY 2016 budget

Click Here to read about the Blue Ribbon Commission launch press event, recently passed as part of the Fiscal Year 2016 state budget. The Blue Ribbon Commission takes a deep look at how we can improve our child care system in VT.


 

For full details on the Let's Grow Kids campaign, Click Here. Be sure to follow them on Facebook and check out their regular blog posts, including this one on the "Science of Resilience"

 


Fit & Healthy Kids Toolkit Now Available!

Toolkit focuses on child nutrition, physical activity & mindfulness


 

With spring in full swing and summer right around the corner, many of us are anxious to get outside, move our bodies, connect with nature, and eat fresh foods! 

 

Are you looking for ideas to bring more physical activity, nutrition, and mindfulness into your classrooms, homes, playgrounds and neighborhoods?!  Look no further. Introducing the FIT & HEALTHY KIDS TOOLKIT! Educators, parents and community organizations are encouraged to explore and share this FREE collection of national and local resources!

 

Before launching into the Toolkit, please complete this short survey! Click Here to take the survey.

 

This toolkit is brought to you by the  Fit & Healthy Kids Coalition of Windham County.We are working together to foster practices, programs and policies that engage the community in raising fit and healthy children. 

 

Didn't know this group existed? Are you interested in learning more? 

 

Visit our website! Follow us on Facebook! Or, contact coordinator:


 

Kathleen White, RN, MS

VT Department of Health

802 251-2108  

kathleen.white@state.vt.us

 

Vermont Early Childhood Alliance

Recap of the 2015 legislative session.


Click Here to read or downlowad a recap of the 2015 legislative session, compiled by the VT Early Childhood  Alliance. 

 

Join the Vermont Early Childhood Alliance (VECA) and stay engaged with legislation that impacts our children this year. Stay informed and get involved by joining the Alliance! Follow early childhood issues on the Alliance's website or by liking us on Facebook.


 

What's Happening? 
News & events for and from the field.

News & Updates
  • Senator Jeanette White Honored by Voices for Vermont's Children. Click Here to read more.
  • Books Build Connections Toolkit. For families & professionals. Click Here to learn more and download FREE materials.
  • Defining Toxic Stress from a community perspective. Click Here for view the resource.
  • Reading levels up at Twin Valley Elementary School. Click Here to read.

 

Events

Job Announcements
  • Windham Child Care Association looking for bus driver and bus monitor. Apply today! Click Here for full details. Temporary part-time positions will be responsible for the transport of up to 24 children to and from the child's residence and their designated child care programs in Brattleboro. Eligible children include those with special health or family support needs or in are custody of the Department for Children & Families. 22 hrs/week. Morning and afternoon routes, Mon-Fri. June - Sept 11. 
  • Windham County job openings in the early childhood field. For the full list, Click Here.

Interesting Stuff To Read, Watch & Listen:

 

  • Adverse Childhood Experiences (A.C.E.s) in all Schools. Click Here to read.
  • Mental health starts on day one. Click Here to read.
  • What poverty does to the brain. Click Here to read.
  • Long-term benefits of watching Sesame Street. Click Here to read.
  • Out of the classroom and into the woods. Importance of outside learning and play. Click Here to read.

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 HereThanks!

Contact:
Chad Simmons, Regional Council Coordinator
BBF SeVT | csimmons@buildingbrightfutures.org  | 802.451.8627