http://buildingbrightfutures.org/middlebury/about/
April 2015

Addison Building Bright Futures
Early Childhood Council - Early Connections Newsletter
Greetings,                                                            
Welcome to Spring! Loading
It is wonderful to see the sun shining, and so many people out and about.  Addison County brings out the best in people, and it is a joy to work and live among so many educated and compassionate folks! 
I hope you find this month's newsletter interesting, and I urge you to stay tuned for more details about how you can be involved in the future work of the Addison BBF Early Childhood Council!

The intent of this monthly newsletter is to provide the latest news  and research, upcoming events and connect our early childhood world, both locally and statewide. 
I invite you to send your ideas,  concerns and dreams for a healthy early childhood system within Addison County! Please contact me at [email protected] or 349-5173 to schedule a time to share ideas.  
Please visit http://www.buildingbrightfutures.org/middlebury/about/  to learn more about our region!
Addison BBF in ACTION

Addison County Publicly Funded Pre-K
Representatives from Addison Central, Addison Northwest and Addison Northeast Supervisory Unions and Addison County early educators have come together to unite publicly funded Pre-K.  The goal of the work group is to unify the delivery system of publicly funded Pre-K throughout Addison County.  The rationale of the work is to best serve families, in preparation for implementation of Act 166 in 2016/17. 
A regional meeting to discuss Guidance Part 2 is coming to Addison County this spring- date/time TBD.

Act 166 RulemakingLoading
Educators, school employees, school board members, community members and parents:  Join other Addison County community members to learn more about the finalization of Act 166 rules, and voice your concerns or questions in real time, through Vermont Interactive Television, on May 20, from 5-7:30pm at Hannaford Career Center, 2nd Floor, 51 Charles Avenue, Middlebury.  Can't make it?  Simply contact me to ensure your voice is heard by emailing me at [email protected] .
Draft rules can be found here:
New Video Encourages Vermonters To Engage in Public Education Debate

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKefVjPCfk4

A new two-minute animated video from a Vermont coalition appeals to Vermonters civic-mindedness and urges them to participate in the ongoing debate about the future of public education in the state.

 

Addison BBF is spreading the word on the importance of early brain development....
Addison BBF is partnering with Dr. Brakeley, to create a series for the Addison Independent, to spread the word about the importance of early childhood development. Do you have a great idea for a future article, or know someone who has something important to share?  We are seeking additional ideas to continue to grow this important series.  Share your thoughts here.
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 Check out the recent article in last week's newspaper....

 

This is the first in a series about early brain development and how conditions in very early life, beginning in pregnancy, can affect individuals far into adulthood... read more.

 

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Welcome, MiniBury!Loading
MiniBury.com is an insider's guide to family friendly activities throughout Addison County, used to connect families to local early childhood opportunities.  This website has proven to be valued by parents throughout Addison County, and Addison BBF is thrilled to be working with MiniBury to communicate early childhood news to it's followers.  Check out the comprehensive and interactive calendar guide to summer camps 2015, and the publicly funded Pre-K page, for parent enrollment forms, prequalified program information and more!

 Check out the latest news from ACORN


 

 

 Vermont Early Childhood News

 

 

 

Building Bright Futures has released their How Are Vermont's Young Children and Families?

Click here to read more HOVYC 2015 

This annual report provides a factual depiction of young child and family well-being, 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. 

 
 Early learning Challenge-Race to the Top Grant Updates
  There has been great progress on implementing the ELC-RTT in Vermont!
  *   The first cohort of Early Childhood Leadership Institute participants
  *   The first cohort of Promise Communities
  *   Revised draft of the Vermont Early Learning Standards for public comment
  *   The Early Childhood Workforce Survey 
  *   Positive feedback from the American Institutes of   Research on our revised Kindergarten Readiness Survey
  *   Pre-Natal - Grade 12 Data Governance Council
You can read more about all these achievements in the updates below.
 ELC-RTT Update
 
Let's Grow Kids Upcoming Trainings              Loading

Speakers Bureau Training: 5/14 Addison

Middlebury Inn, Middlebury

By joining the Speakers Bureau, you can help us educate Vermonters about the importance of positive experiences in the first years of life.

Speakers Bureau members attend a training to incorporate personal stories into campaign messaging about child development and the Blue Ribbon Commission. Members are then scheduled to speak in their community and are supported by staff in all aspects of their presentation.

LGK Speakers Bureau 


Changemakers for Children 2.0: Education, Outreach & Advocacy Trainings

Changemakers for Children 2.0: Education, Outreach & Advocacy Trainings! 

Chittenden County Changemakers - Sheraton Hotel, Burlington

Southern Vermont Changemakers - Alyson's Orchard, Walpole, NH

Northern Vermont Changemakers - Newport City Inn & Suites, Newport

Join us this May for one of three full-day trainings we're hosting around the state in collaboration with Building Bright Futures and the Vermont Early Childhood Alliance. The day will include:

  • An update on the progress of Let's Grow Kids, including the incredible work done on Town Meeting Day, our robust Speaker's Bureau program, and future events.
  • An update on the Vermont legislative session from the Vermont Early Childhood Alliance.
  • An update on the Vermont Early Childhood Action Plan by Building Bright Futures.
  • Multiple trainings by Let's Grow Kids, including messaging training for new volunteers, and an advanced community organizing training for seasoned volunteers.
 
Are you looking for an affordable college course?
The Vermont Child Care Industry and Careers Council (VCCICC) is offering 5 tuition-free college courses, in partnership with Community College of Vermont, for the Summer 2015 semester. The courses are primarily for those registered in the Child Care Apprenticeship Program with the Dept of Labor, but as space allows,community members are enrolled on a first-come-first-served basis in the order we receive complete applications. All applicants must currently be working with children in VT.

 Vermont Birth to Three is seeking a full-time Deputy Director      Loading

 


Addison BBF
Regional Council News
Next Addison Regional Council Meeting: Thursday, May 7, 2015 at 3:30pm (This meeting will follow the regional CIS meeting)
Addison County Parent Child Center 126 Monroe Street, Middlebury, VT

Agenda:

May 2015: Guest speakers:

Carolyn Wesley, Project Manager,Early Learning Challenge -- Race to the Top Grant will join us for an overview and current updates on the ELC-RTT grant in Vermont. 

Addison County Readers will join us to discuss the Imagination Library program here in Addison County.

Join us to learn more, ask questions, and network with colleagues.

  

Please join us at our last 15-16 school year council meeting on June 4th, as we discuss the current state of the early childhood council, projects and future early childhood plans around Addison County.  More details to come! 


 
Interested in social/emotional curriculum?  Would you like to participate in a Middlebury College-Community Engagement project with college students in Fall 2016?  Seeking planning team members who have great ideas! 


 
                                                                      

The priorities of the Addison County Early Childhood Council include :
 

     Health- Families- Education kids-holding-hands.jpg

  • Collaboration in Service
  • High Quality Programs and Staff
  • Community Resources and Outreach
  • Parent Education/Family Engagement

The focus of our work is on whole population prevention, with resources in place for interventions as needed to meet families where they are.  Our goals include providing access, quality and seamless transitions throughout our greater education and human services system.  Collaboration is at the heart of our work!


 

Article of Interest:

Check out this video about what makes babies laugh.  It is sure to make you smile!

http://digital.vpr.net/post/laugh-baby-laugh



Around Addison County
The Addison Children's Advocacy Center presents:
Chronic Traumatic Stress and the Developing Child
with David Melnick, LICSW
May 22, 2015   9:00-3:30 at The Middlebury Regional EMS Training/Meeting Room - 55 Collins Street, Middlebury, Vermont
This workshop will focus on the global impact that chronic traumatic stress has on the developing child. Research and clinical practice has helped clarify the expansive effects of chronic trauma, often referred to as the "Seven Domains of Impairment" (The National Child Traumatic Stress Network). We will study these seven domains with an eye towards their application for caregivers and professionals, noting the specific and often innovative strategies necessary to help children recover. Through a mixture of didactic teaching, clinical vignettes, videotape and audience activities, participants will increase both their theoretical understanding of complex trauma and their confidence in working with a broad variety of youth impacted by traumatic events.

This training is for anyone who supports children and families who have experienced chronic trauma, both professionally and personally. All are welcome!

Please find the flyer for this event here.  Registration deadline: May 18
 
 

Professional Development

Check out all of the upcoming professional development opportunities happening within Addison County this month!  Click here for more details January-June 2015 Professional Development Addison County, or contact Amethyst Peaslee, Resource Specialist, at Mary Johnson Childcare Services for location and registration information: 388-4304 x 17 or [email protected].

Upcoming Playgroups:
Bridport: Tuesdays 9:30-11  Bridport School
Bristol: Tuesdays 9:30-11  Bristol Baptist Church
Middlebury: Tuesdays 9:30-11  Memorial Baptist Church
Vergennes: Wednesdays 9:30-11 Congregational Church
Salisbury: Friday, November  21st, 9-11 Salisbury Community School

Click here for a detailed, printable list of playgroups, story hours and open gyms to share with families!Addison County Playgroups and Story Hours

The Addison BBF newsletter hopes to provide the latest news, research and local activities, as well as to connect and inspire those in the state's early childhood system. 

I invite you to send me your ideas, concerns and hopes for our children. I want to hear and learn from you! 
Dana Anderson
Addison Building Bright Futures
(802)349-5173
In This Issue
BBF State Council
To find out more about BBF's State Council, CLICK HERE
Quick Links
Building Bright Futures | 802-876-5010 | http://www.buildingbrightfutures.org
600 Blair Park, Suite 306
Williston, VT 05495