It takes all Vermonters to ensure the well-being of our children
There was real energy and excitement among the packed house in the Capitol Plaza Ballroom as we gathered for the Governor’s Summit on Early Childhood on October 29. More than 250 people attended—state...
View ArticleThe Permanent Fund Board Has Grown!
I’ve always felt that one of the best parts about my work with the Permanent Fund is the great people I have been privileged to work with over the years. The early childhood professionals who work with...
View ArticleThe year ahead: Ambitions and promise
In my last post, I talked about the impact our current demonstration projects—Vermont Birth to Three, the Vermont Community Preschool Collaborative and Mobius—have had since the Permanent Fund began...
View ArticleThe Challenge of Quality Child Care
I moved to Norwich, Vermont from New York City in 1996 with a 14-month-old son and my husband. I was coming to Vermont to take a position in higher education. We were a young family, excited about the...
View ArticleThe Access and Quality Gap in Vermont’s Child Care System
Most people agree that “choice” is a good thing. But when it comes to choosing a child care provider, many Vermont parents may not feel like they have much choice available to them. And that’s...
View ArticleEarly Learning Initiative Pilot Launched with PF Support
February 12 was a special day for those of us who braved the cold to attend Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger’s news conference at the Visiting Nurse Association’s (VNA) family room. I joined Mayor...
View Article2014 Bright Spots in Early Care and Education
When I am out and about talking to folks, I like to refer to Vermont’s “bright spots”—processes, projects and collaborations that are working well in our early care and education system. As I prepared...
View ArticleLooking ahead: 2015 and beyond
In our last post summarizing the highlights of 2014, I shared a major decision that the board of the Permanent Fund made that will affect how we move forward over the next 10 years. In our decision to...
View ArticleMaking a Difference in the Lives of Children
One thing I’ve discovered over the years is that seemingly small efforts can make a huge difference in someone’s life. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I came to Vermont from New York City in 1996...
View ArticleEarning a Greater Return on Our Educational Investment
In Vermont we have seen education costs rise, while our student population has decreased by 23,000 students since 1997. The steepest increase in costs has been for special education. Outside of teacher...
View ArticleWhat does child care have to do with Vermont’s economy?
A new study, led by neuroscientists at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Columbia University Medical Center, has shown that family income and parental education affect child and adolescent brain...
View ArticleRisk-taking in Early Care and Learning Systems Design
Take Risks. We cannot afford not to. This was one of the many insights that stood out for me from conversations with Dr. Lynette Fraga, executive director of Child Care Aware of America, and Matthew...
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