A smiling couple holds their baby up in the air; the mom and baby have light skin and brown hair and the dad has light brown skin and black hair

When we work together,
children shine

Building Bright Futures (BBF) works to improve the well-being of young children and families in Vermont. The BBF Network includes 12 Regional Councils, seven Strategic Plan Committees, and the State Advisory Council.

The State Advisory Council advises the Governor and Legislature on the well-being of children in the prenatal period through age 8 and their families. BBF maintains Vermont’s Early Childhood Strategic Plan, a shared vision and roadmap to ensure that every young child in Vermont has the resources, opportunities, and support to thrive.

Thank you for your commitment to strengthening the early childhood system and improving the well-being of Vermont’s children and their families.

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Our Impact for Children & Families in 2025

New: Policy Recommendations for 2026

Vermont’s Early Childhood Strategic Plan 2030

Upcoming Events

All Vermont parents and caregivers are invited to join Families and Communities Committee meetings on Zoom and to learn more about family leadership. Most BBF events are virtual and open to the public.

A young girl plays with stacking blocks

Our Impact in 2025

I’m excited to share our newly released 2025 Impact Report, which highlights the achievements of Building Bright Futures and our 500-person …
Many people seated at round tables in a conference room at the 2025 Regional Council Summit

Regional Council Summit Focuses on Substance Use Prevention and Supports

Annually, Building Bright Futures convenes Early Childhood Regional Council members from across Vermont for an in-person event dedicated to an important …
Tanya LaChapelle and Amber Hewston smiling in front of a conference banner that says "Portland"

DEC Conference 2025 Reflection: Amber Hewston 

Amber Hewston, mother of two, State Advisory Council and Families & Communities Committee parent representative, and Early Intervention Physical Therapist, recently …
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Our Publications

BBF publishes data briefs and reports, including the yearly State of Vermont’s Children report and annual Policy Recommendations related to Vermont children and families.

BBF supports accountability through Vermont’s Early Childhood Data & Policy Center, a nonpartisan, independent source of data, research, and publications for policymakers, researchers, and the public. We’re also tasked with ensuring accountability and measuring the success of Vermont’s Early Childhood Strategic Plan and Act 76, a Vermont child care law passed in 2023. We use evidence to inform policy and bring voices together across sectors and within regions to discuss critical challenges and problem-solve.

Our Vermont Early Childhood Fund (VECF) gives grants to support creative solutions that will improve the well-being of children from the prenatal period to age 8, their families, and the Vermont communities where they live.

BBF is Vermont’s early childhood public-private partnership, charged under Vermont Title 33 § Chapter 46 and the Federal Head Start Act (Public Law 110-134) as Vermont’s Early Childhood State Advisory Council. Building Bright Futures is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization.