The Alliance's weekly newsletter includes policy updates, legislative news, and events related to the Alliance's Legislative Agenda. Stay informed by checking the Alliance's Facebook page. To share early childhood advocacy news with the Alliance to be included in future updates, email Sarah Galbraith at sarah@vecaa.org

Highlights from ECDL 2019

Three hundred and fifteen early childhood professionals and providers, parents, employers, and business owners attended Early Childhood Day at the Legislature (ECDL) on March 13, 2019 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel and Vermont State House. With far better weather than in previous years, attendance was up! People from all over the state gathered in Montpelier to ask the 70 participating legislators and administrators to invest in kids. 

Continue reading for photos and a recap of the day and remember to save the date for the 26th annual ECDL on Wednesday, March 11, 2020!

This inspiring annual day of advocacy, education, and networking was co-hosted by the Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance, Let's Grow Kids, and Building Bright Futures, and co-sponsored by 16 funders, agencies, organizations, providers, and businesses. 

The day began with breakfast in the State House cafeteria, where advocates used the opportunity to talk with legislators about early childhood issues over coffee.

This year's event marked the 25th annual day of advocacy, education, and networking. Three speakers opened the event by sharing moving comments about the past, present, and future of Vermont's early childhood advocacy efforts and policymaking. Find videos of these speakers on the Alliance Facebook page.

The day included early childhood issue workshops facilitated by some of the Alliance's lead organizations. The Governor's Ballroom at Capitol Plaza was packed for a luncheon attended by legislators and administrators. Lively conversations happened all around the room. During lunch, early childhood stakeholders had an opportunity to speak with policy makers about key issues from the Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance's 2019 Legislative Agenda, such as: high-quality, affordable child care; family and medical leave insurance; housing programs; and funding for Children's Integrated Services (CIS) and Parent Child Centers, among other issues.

After lunch, a parent read a devotional in front of the House Chamber and Representative Marybeth Redmond acknowledged advocates for their important work.

Then, advocates spilled on to the State House steps for the third annual Rally for Kids in support of high-quality, affordable child care. Advocates listened to impassioned speeches by Senate Majority Leader Becca Balint, House Majority Leader Jill Krowinski, and National Life Group President Beth Rusnock. Also speaking were Jen Olson, a Vermonter who can't afford to start a family on an early educator's salary, and Faye Longo, a full-time working mother who has gone without groceries for the week before in order to afford quality child care.

Later in the afternoon, a birthday party was held in the Cedar Creek Room at the Vermont State House to celebrate 25 years of early childhood stakeholders coming to Montpelier. There was cake! But, more importantly, the slices of cake carried wishes for early childhood from Vermonters, and comments were shared by Governor Phil Scott, Lieutenant Governor David Zuckerman, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Mitzi Johnson. Find videos of the speeches on the Alliance Facebook page.

Thank you to everyone who was part of this wonderful event this year! We look forward to seeing you again next year. 

Thank you to the following entities for their generous sponsorship of ECDL. Additionally, we appreciate the support of Capitol Copy in Montpelier.

The Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance is a statewide coalition formed in 2000 of early childhood professionals, parents, organizations, businesses, and strategic partners committed to improving public policies that impact young children between birth and age eight in the areas of health, safety, food security, economic security, and early care and education.

The Alliance crafts an annual Legislative Agenda in partnership with early childhood organizations, provides year-round advocacy support, and facilitates meaningful interactions with policymakers at key times during the decision making process.

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2019 Legislative Update on the Issues

Issue Update: FY20 State Budget

Issue Update: Family and Medical Leave Insurance

15 State Street | Montpelier , Vermont 05602

https://vecaa.org

The Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance is a program of the Vermont Community Loan Fund.

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