Greetings!
April brings the first blooms of Spring after a long, cold Vermont Winter and with it, the fruit of our labors over the last two years.
April 1st saw the transition of "central coordination and leadership" of the VT Early Childhood Action Plan from the Governor, AHS & AOE to Building Bright Futures.
HB559 was passed thanks to our fearless leader, Representative Bill Frank, who shepherded this bill which adds 2 At-Large seats on the State Council and Designees to vote in place of Commissioners of Health, Mental Health, and Children & Families when needed.
The 2nd How Are Vermont's Young Children? was published. A press release is pending and the Report will be distributed to the Governor & his Cabinet, State Legislature, Mayors, City/Town Managers, Superintendents, Elementary School Principals, Selectboard Chairs, & School Board Chairs. The Full Report will be distributed to Council Members at April's State Council Meeting and emailed just prior to the meeting.
The State Joint Fiscal Committee accepted the Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge grant, which opened the floodgates for all the projects to implement.
A Scope of Work presentation was offered by Aly Richards, Governor's Office; Director of Special Projects and Intergovernmental Affairs (with help from Reeva Murphy, Manuela Fonseca, Breena Holmes, and Julie Coffey)
BBF is now hiring a FT Regions Manager, PT Finance Manager, PT Data Coordinator, PT End User Specialist, PT Business/Data Analyst, & FT Communications Coordinator.
Last but not least, American Institutes for Research (AIR) completed its Validation Study of Vermont's Kindergarten Readiness Survey. Look for this presentation at our May State Council meeting.
In May, I will attach the final Early Childhood Budget report and outline next steps toward a Finance Plan, funding a sustainable, comprehensive System of Early Care, Health, and Education.
Sincerely
Julie Coffey, M.S.
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