Chittenden County has received over 6,000 refugees over the last 25 years and expects another 250 this year. The new news is that Rutland is expecting 100 refugees from Syria. As you may have seen in the papers, this has come with a mix of responses. Though we don't know the number or ages of children, early childhood providers in Rutland are gearing up to receive and support new children and families into their community.
Chittenden and Rutland Building Bright Futures Councils are partnering to share information about working across cultural backgrounds, languages, race and religions.
This summer I made two trips to Rutland with Chittenden BBF Council partners to meet with Rutland colleagues. We met with the Rutland BBF Council and Children's Integrated Services Administrative Team. Discussions covered a range of issues including: best practices for family outreach, interpretation, how to prepare staff to work with different cultural groups, and about the resettlement and integration process. I anticipate these discussions will continue to deepen our ability to work across differences; regardless if it is due to refugee resettlement, or families native to Vermont with different family structures, cultures or race.
Thanks to the three Council partners who traveled with me: Robin Hood from the Winooski School District, Karen Prosciak from the Winooski Family Center and Linda Li from the Community Health Center of Burlington.
-Beth Truzansky, Building Bright Futures Chittenden Regional Coordinator, [email protected]
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