|
Rutland Building Bright Futures
|
|
Your source for all things early childhood
|
Hello All,
Welcome to the March 2015 issue of the Rutland Building Bright Futures (BBF) Newsletter. When temperatures hover near 40 degrees for more than two days in a row I dare say that Spring is finally here. I am just waiting for the crocuses to bloom! To reflect on the month, we officially launched our first PEG TV Show; "Building Bright Futures" featuring Mitch Golub, President and CEO of Vermont Achievement Center. BBF was highly visible at Early Childhood Day at the Legislature along with our partners; Vermont Early Education Alliance and Let's Grow Kids. Looking ahead to the coming months, we will be leading and participating in a number of events around: "Month of the Young Child"-Autism Awareness Day-and and WIC Carnival in May.
The BIGGEST NEWS is the release of our annual statewide Report; "How are Vermont's Young Children & Families?". This report is our most recent comprehensive assessment of how Vermont's youngest children and their families are fairing. It is a compilation of the most up to date data collected across child and family serving systems & agencies.
You can also "like" our Facebook Page
https/www.facebook.com/RutlandRegionalBuildingBrightFutures
|
 Rutland BBF in ACTION
Building Bright Futures Public Access Show Goes Live!
Our PEG TV Program, "Building Bright Futures" officially premiered the first week of March. Our show is broadcast weekly, Mondays-9am, Wednesdays-6:30pm, Fridays-9pm, and Saturdays-2:00pm. The times might change slightly due to scheduling.
Mitch Golub-President & CEO of Vermont Achievement Center was my first guest. If your organization is interested in being a future guest on the program please email me at [email protected]
Visit the link to this program
|
| | Peg Bolgioni-Regional Coordinator, Rutland BBF and Mitch Golub, President &CEO Vermont Achievement Center |
MONTH OF THE YOUNG CHILD
|
| | Sample of Children's Artwork |
Annually, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAYCE) has designated April as "Month of the Young Child". Its purpose is to bring public awareness to the needs of young children and their families, and recognize those early childhood programs and services that address those needs. This year's theme is "Celebrating our Youngest Learners". Rutland Building Bright Futures has invited local home based providers, child care centers, and pre-schools to submit art work to hang in local businesses and organizations in Brandon and Rutland and Wallingford. The artwork will be displayed officially throughout the communities the week of April 19-25. So if you are out and about during that time you will see it showcased in the following locations:
*More locations may be added after the newsletter is distributed.
Brandon: Brandon Free Public Library, Brandon Inn, Li's Chinese Restaurant, Delilah's Hair Salon, Lake Sunapee Bank, Brandon House of Pizza, Vacant Space next to Aubuchon's, Former Location of Sheri's Diner, and Brandon Mobil Station.
Rutland: Citizens Bank, Rutland Free Library, Frogs & Lily Pads, Tattersalls, Asa Bloomer Building, 1st Floor, Coffee Exchange, Clem & Company, Former Location of Lake Sunapee Bank, Green Mountain Power Innovation Center, Hawley's Florist and Wonderfeet Kids Museum.
Wallingford: Gilbert Hart Library, Wallingford Town Office, Thrive Center, and Sal's Italian Restaurant
|
|
STATEWIDE UPDATE
Release of "How are Vermont's Young Children & Families 2015 Report
Increase in Vermont's young child population puts early childhood well-being in spotlight
A new report finds a slight increase statewide in the number of children under the age of 3 in Vermont. Between 2011 and 2013, the number of Vermont children under age 3 increased 1.5 percent. This cohort had the highest growth rates the areas surrounding St. Albans, Hartford and Burlington, with 5.4 percent, 5.1 percent, and 5.0 percent increases, respectively. This is just one of the findings in the How Are Vermont's Young Children and Families? 2015 report, released today by Building Bright Futures.
This annual report provides a factual depiction of young child and family well-being at a point in time, as well as progress on selected indicators and outcomes. 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.
"This slight increase in very young children is Vermont's opportunity to invest in the well-being of its young children and families," said Julie Coffey, Executive Director of Building Bright Futures. "Investments in early childhood pay for themselves in lower costs for health care, corrections and special education. At the same time, Vermont gets a better-educated workforce with higher future earnings."
This slight increase in very young children is worth watching. It could put additional pressure on the state's child care system that is already unaffordable for many Vermont families. Middle-income,* two-parent, two-child families spend 28-40 percent of household income on child care. Vermont subsidizes child care for low-income families, but even two-parent, two-child families receiving the highest subsidy can spend 7-25 percent of their income on child care.
Population rates of children are just one of the key indicators in this year's new regional section. Other regional indicators include: mothers receiving early prenatal care, regulated child care provider participation in Vermont's quality child care improvement system, the percent of children ready for kindergarten, high school graduation rates and major crimes. Building Bright Futures' 12 regions reflect the service areas of the Vermont Agency of Human Services (AHS) district offices.
The third edition of Building Bright Futures' signature publication is designed to be a useful tool for advising the Governor, Administration, Legislature and the public on how Vermont's early care, health and education systems can meet the needs of children from birth through age 8, families and pregnant women.
* Between $47,700 (200 percent of the federal poverty rate) and the state median income of $82,047.
Early Childhood Day at the Legislature (ECDL) Over 300 early childhood and health professionals, parents, children employers, and policymakers converged on Montpelier on March 11th for Early Childhood Day at the Legislature. These events could not happen without the support of organizations like Vermont Early Childhood Alliance ,Let's Grow Kids, Vermont Agency of Human Services (Department of Children and Families) and Vermont Department of Health (Agency of Human Services Maternal Child Health Division. The event was keynoted by Dr. Paul Dworkin from the Connecticut Children's Medical Center who emphasized the importance of parent empowerment in effective early childhood systems building. Governor Peter Shumlin focused his remarks on the successful collaborations between Building Bright Futures, the Vermont Early Education Alliance and Let's Grow Kids. There were panel discussions and break out sessions around early childhood issues and the current legislative proposals. Around 65 Legislators and members of the Administration lunched with advocates to continue those important discussions about such items as the Blue Ribbon Commission, Child Protection, Child Care Financial Assistance Program, and the Vermont State Budgets. ECDL is an incredible opportunity to shine the spotlight on children and families, and keep those discussions at the forefront. Thank you to the Legislators and others who took the time to exchange in this important conversation. |
| | Rutland County Legislative Representatives Patricia McCoy and Tom Burditt |
|
Rutland BBF
Regional Council News
March 24, 2015: Sherry Carlson, Vermont Community Pre-School Collaborative spoke at our meeting regarding Act 166-Vermont's Universal Pre-K Law. She was joined by BBF Consultant and retired school superintendent Frank Perotti. Lots of excellent information was shared. Sherry and Frank were able to boil down the information into salient points. Of course my minutes from the meeting were lengthy but I did not want to leave anything out.
Click here for 3/24 meeting minutes
Next BBF Council Meeting is 4/21 (6:00pm-8:00pm) iin the new BROC Offices located at 45 Union Street, Rutland.
Directions:
- Turn right onto West St (US-4-BR) 0.5 mi/860 m
- Turn left onto Pine St 0.1 mi/216 m
- Turn left onto Howe St 311 ft/95 m
- Turn left onto Union St 190 ft/58 m
- Arrive at Union St. Your destination is on the left
|
Northern Lights E-New
Professional Development
Here are some professional development opportunities "hot off the press" from Northern Lights.
April and May 2015 Voices of Learning: An interactive approach to adult learning and instructional design Two sessions of this 4 week, fully online course will be offered (pick one): 1) April 6 - May 3, 2015 and 2) May 18-June 7, 2015. Completion meets the training requirement for approval in Vermont's Instructor Registry. NOTE: higher education instructors or those who have taken a course covering these learning objectives, already meet the Instructor Registry requirement. There is a $50 charge with a limited number of slots; scholarships are available. Sign up by completing this short survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/voices5and6_2015 For more information contact [email protected] 802-828-2876 OR [email protected] 802-885-8374.
April 24-25, 2015 Creating Early Childhood Environments That Are Ready for All Children: The Role of Observation, Reflection & Courage. A conference dedicated to developing our readiness as early childhood educators and administrators to create social, physical, and temporal learning environments that recognize and celebrate each child's right to be cherished and challenged, to grow and to learn. Featuring Guest Keynote Speaker Lella Gandini, U.S. Liaison for the Dissemination of the Reggio Emilia Approach. Conference Agenda: Download here in pdf format. Friday evening, April 24, 2015 Burlington, Vt City Hall Contois Auditorium and Saturday, all day, April 25, 2015 University Of Vermont. Registration and information: http://www.uvm.edu/~ccc/conferences/
Another Professional Development Opportunity
"Authentic Nature Play and the Growth it Fosters", a PLC opportunity for Pre-K teachers. There is a credit option. Seven two hour sessions that would start in May and run through the fall.
|
Area Activities
Lots of Local Activities coming up to celebrate "Month of the Young Child"
April 4th (9:00am-Noon) -Castleton Area Child Care Network is sponsoring a free event for children and families at Castleton American Legion Post 50
April 25th (10:00am-2:00pm) Spring Open House and Grand Re-Opening of the Mitchell Therapy Pool at Vermont Achievement Center. Lots of activities, games, information, and workshops.
May 2nd (11:00am-1:00pm)-Carnival at Rutland High School Gymnasium sponsored by the Rutland WIC Team. Activities include reading time, cooking demonstration, and an obstacle course.
We are looking for content regarding local activities to build our newsletter.Please forward any information to me at [email protected]
the Rutland Parent Child Center.
|
|
|
|
|
Stay Connected
 
|
|
|
|
|
