Julie Cadwallader-Staub, Project Director of the Early Learning Challenge - Race To the Top grant.

From the Regions

ADDISON

Addison BBF hosed a Universal Pre-K Partnership Meeting on January 15. Regional providers and Supervisory Union representatives joined education expert Frank Perotti to plan for available enrollment slots,

BENNINGTON

Bennington BBF held its annual legislative luncheon on December 10^th. Legislators and those in the early childhood community met to forge an alliance to support young children and their families. Attendees realize the importance of a strong early childhood community support system and the importance of quality services. Maintaining those services in tough economic times was a theme of the luncheon. (more) 

CALEDONIA AND SOUTHERN ESSEX

Caledonia and Southern Essex BBF hosted a special meeting focusing on Pre-K in the region on January 26, featuring education expert Frank Perotti. (more)

CENTRAL VERMONT

CVBBF is awarding mini grants to organizations, community groups, child care providers and other groups focused on young children and families and located within the geographic region. (more)

CHITTENDEN

Chittenden BBF and Let's Grow Kids is bringing a version of the popular TED talks to Burlington on the topic of "Growing Up."  TEDxED is TED's education initiative to amplify voices and ideas of teachers and students. Videos of the talks will be available in mid- to late-February on the TEDx website. (more)

FRANKLIN GRAND ISLE

Franklin Grand Isle has created a matrix to guide related work of the FGI BBF Regional Plan, the Early Learning Challenge Grant and the Early Childhood Action Plan. (more)

LAMIOLLE VALLEY

Lamoille Valley BBF supports playgroups in Wolcott, Morrisville, Stowe, Johnson and Cambridge. It also sponsors Baby Chats, distributes Welcome Baby and Well Child info at Copley and at doctor's offices throughout the Lamoille Valley, and serves as a mouthpiece to State Agencies and the Governors Office about issues relating to children from birth to 8 and their families. (more)

NORTHERN WINDSOR AND ORANGE

On December 13, 2014, The Family Place hosted their annual Gingerbread Festival. This year over 800 people attended the event and over 75 exquisite gingerbread houses were entered and displayed. In addition to the gingerbread house competition, the Festival included a successful silent auction, Jewelry O's sale, cafe, storytelling and cookie decorating for children, and many other fun activities. (more)

ORLEANS AND NORTHERN ESSEX

In December, Orleans and Northern Essex Building Bright Futures along with Let's Grow Kids participated in Newport's Santa Festival. Along with local children and their families, we walked the parade, and then participated in Santa's Workshop. BBF donated 285 books to local children who visited Santa's Workshop. On January 29th, 2015, the duo hosted another Raising of America

RUTLAND

Rutland BBF sponsors a playgroup of parents and children, under the direction of Lynn Gould from the Rutland County Parent Child Center, to play, socialize, and learn while listening to songs, dancing, playing with educational toys and doing creative projects on Fridays from 9:30am-11:00am at the Rutland Free Library. (more)

SOUTHEAST VERMONT

On December 8th Southeast Vermont BBF hosted a community event entitled: "Building Bright Futures: Vermont's Vision for Early Childhood." It was a forum to share BBF's vision for Vermont's children and plans to achieve it. Windham County state legislators participated in a Q & A session focused on early childhood and the Brattleboro Academy school drama club gave a special performance. (more)

SPRINGFIELD AREA

Over the last year, the Springfield Area Parent Child Center has been hard at work reinvigorating their Parent Education Program.  We have expanded our curriculum and worked hard to provide services in other communities.  In 2014 we provided parent education to 73 parents and offered 9 class sessions throughout 3 different towns.    We pride ourselves on not only sharing valuable information, but providing parents with community connections and resources.  We are well on our way to cultivating a reputation as a fun, creative and personable program that encourages families to come back time and time again. (more)

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Data Needed For Vermont's Universal Pre-K Implementation