http://buildingbrightfutures.org/central/about/
November 9, 2015
In some ways, it feels as though fall has just begun but already we're starting to turn our attention to the winter. Based on the mini grant applications we reviewed during this first round, there will be some great events for families coming up throughout the central Vermont region over the coming months. Be sure to keep an eye out on the calendar (available on the BBF website's homepage, just scroll down to the bottom). 

We've got some fantastic guests set up for this month's council meeting so many of our partners can ask their questions about Act 166 / public prekindergarten and hear straight from the "experts." We are hoping to audio record the Q&A portion of the meeting so keep an eye out for the link on our weekly council updates or in next month's newsletter for more details. 

A group of community members and service providers in Barre continue their work to develop community solutions to help with the healing process in the wake of the tragic shootings this summer. CVBBF continues to be a partner at this table and we will share out any opportunities to participate. 

The second round of CVBBF mini grants will be due in January. Keep an eye out for or December newsletter which will include a link to the application. 

As always, please don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any thoughts or suggestions or you'd like to get involved. 

Becky Raymond, Regional Coordinator
Central Vermont Building Bright Futures Council
Council Meeting Agenda
The CVBBF Regional Council meeting will be held on Friday November 13 from 9:00-11:00 AM. This month, our meeting is primarily focused on implementation of Act 166, the public prekindergarten law:
  • Hope Campbell and Sherry Carlson from the Vermont Community Loan Fund will give a presentation for providers about crafting balanced budgets with public prekindergarten funding as one of your funding streams
  • Melissa Riegel-Garrett from the Agency of Education will talk about public prekindergarten from her perspective, and will be available to answer your questions about implementation 
  • You will receive a draft copy of our regional plan and a link to a survey where you can submit your feedback on the draft
  • Time permitting, we will conclude the meeting with council member networking, including updates from Let's Grow Kids and Promise Communities
CVBBF Council meetings are open to the public and are held on the second Friday of the month, September through June, at Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice. Map
New Phone Number
BBF recently changed their phone service. To call or text Becky during business hours, her new number is (802) 461-3211
Messaging Webinars
Many of you have been closely connected to the work of Let's Grow Kids over the past two years. At this point, the Let's Grow Kids team is pivoting their message and they want to tell us all about it! 
 
We will present these messages in a 75-minute webinar held at several different times and dates for your convenience. To attend, all you need is a computer and internet access. There will be webinars offered on Thursday 11/12 from noon to 1:15 pm or 6:15-7:30 pm, Friday 11/13 from 1-2:15 pm, Saturday 11/14 from 11 am to 12:15 pm and Tuesday 11/17 from 9:15-10:30 am. 

To learn more or sign up, email Samantha or call her at (802) 578-7796. 
Child Protection Oversight Committee

 

The Joint Legislative Child Protection Oversight Committee, made up of both Senators and Representatives, met on 11/5 to hear comments from law enforcement, schools and the medical community on several aspects of Act 60 (S.9, the child protection bill passed last legislative session). Issues included mandatory reporting and workload management for social workers, among others. Addiitonally, possible items to be addressed during the 2016 legislative session were discussed and will be determined at the next meeting.

The committee will conduct its next meeting on November 18 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at the State House. See the committee webpage for a list of legislators, to download documents, and to see meeting updates. 

 

For a calendar of trainings that are open to the public, check out the "events" tab at www.vermontearlychildhoodalliance.org. To schedule a training, contact Kelly Ault, Alliance Public Engagement Director at (802) 272-0795 or [email protected]

Providers Corner

Capstone Community Needs Assessment
It's not too late to contribute to the Capstone Community Action community needs assessment survey. Please help Capstone better understand the breadth of need in our community. Please encourage folks to complete the survey online if possible ( you can access it HERE). 

Green Mountain United Way Micro Grants
GMUW is pleased to announce they are offering the opportunity for non-profit organizations to apply for Micro Grants up to $250 and Community Grants up to $2,500. Applications for Micro Grants are now being accepted with a filing deadline of November 15, 2015. The Community Grants will open January 4, 2016 with a filing deadline of February 1, 2016. Please see the online grant application below for details and to submit a request. Questions? Please  email Nelson. Thank you for all the work you do for our communities. 

Barre Community Winter Spiral 
We are holding a Community Winter Spiral on December 9th from 4:30-6:30 pm at Currier Park in Barre (next to the Barre Historical Society, old Spaulding High School). It will be an opportunity to "Sing for hope. Pray for love. Walk the spiral for reconciliation. Light a candle for healing." Please join us if you can and also help spread the word to those who may live or work in the Barre / Washington County area. More details to follow. All are welcome. 

Prekindergarten Providers Forum (public prekindergarten)
Join representatives from the Vermont Agency of Education and Barre Supervisory Union (BSU) for a light meal and informational discussion about Act 166.  Learn how BSU is preparing to implement Act 166, how you as local prekindergarten providers can benefit and prepare for this new legislation, and learn about Act 166 from an AOE representative so you have the current and accurate information to share with families in your programs. This event is designed for prekindergarten providers (home-based and center-based) in Washington County and the surrounding area. 

Fill out this survey to register for the event, or to submit your questions about public prekindergarten 

Steak House Restaurant, 1239 US Route 302-Berlin
Monday, November 16, 2015 from 5:00-6:30 pm
 
***Attendance at this event enters your name into a raffle to win a bundle of 10 children's books for your program***

Be Seat Smart Event
A child passenger safety technician will be at the Saturday morning playgroup at the Family Center of Washington County on Saturday, November 14th from 9:30-11:00 am. Email Chris to learn more. 
CVBBF Playgroup Schedule
We're thrilled to release the 2015-2016 playgroup schedule for central Vermont! If you have run a playgroup at your organization and you'd like to be listed on our schedule, please email Becky. You can also download a copy of the schedule HERE
Please feel free to contact me with your ideas, concerns and hopes for our children. I want to hear and learn from you! 

Becky Raymond, Regional Coordinator
Central Vermont Building Bright Futures
(802) 461-3211
In This Issue
Barre Promise Community
The next meeting of the Barre Promise Community will be on Monday, 12/7/15 from 10:30-12:30. Email Shannon for more information or to attend.

The team is currently looking at the needs of the community in order to gain a better understanding of what we can do to improve the lives of young children and families in Barre. We are seeking more Barre families to join us in the planning stages so please reach out if you are interested or if you know someone who might like to learn more!
Statewide News
Check out the newest update from the Early Learning Challenge grant! A link to the latest is HERE
BBF State Council
The next BBF State Council meeting will be held on Monday, November 23rd in Williston. For more information or to attend the meeting, contact Katie Mobbs
The recent months, the team at Vermont Insights published several new reports. Click the links below to check them out!








These and many others are available on the Vermont Insights website
There is a new policy brief coming soon from the LAUNCH team, but in the meantime here's a flashback to one of the earlier briefs about The Adverse Effects of Toxic Stress in Early Childhood
Quick Links