Vermont 2-1-1 Launches Help Me Grow Vermont Call Line Today.
 
A new statewide phone line to support families with young children was announced today by the United
Ways of Vermont. Parents and caregivers can now dial 2-1-1 to be connected with trained
Help Me Grow child development specialists who can answer questions about children's behavior and development and connect families to resources and services in their community.
 
The child development specialists will be available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday - Friday. Callers can leave messages after hours, as Vermont 2-1-1 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Help Me Grow Vermont 2-1-1 services are confidential.
 
 

Vermonters agree that every child deserves a strong start to life. Science tells us that 80% of the brain develops by age 3 and 90% by age 5, making the first years critical to healthy early development that lays the foundation for future success in school, relationships and life. Yet, many Vermont families cannot find or afford high quality child care, and many providers struggle with the costs of offering quality programming-let alone keeping their doors open.

Vermont's child care challenge has a ripple effect through our communities and economy. How do we achieve high quality, affordable child care to support:
   ► the healthy development of our children?
   ► working families who rely on child care in order to keep their jobs and put
       food on the table?
   ► Vermont businesses, who need skilled, productive and reliable employees
        now and in the future?