Present: Karen Bielawski-Branch (Parent), Toki Eley (Visiting Nurse Association), Sheila Quenneville (Registered Home Provider), Kris Hoffman (Lund Family Center), Diana Langston (Burlington School District), Michelle Perry (Family, Infant, and Toddler Program), Jo-Anne McDonough (VAEYC & VT Industries and Child Care Career Council), Sandra Graves (Champlain Valley Head Start), Shawn Brier (Annette's Playschool), Anne Powell (Greater Burlington YMCA), Sarah Adams-Kolitz (Burlington Children's Space), Jill Greene (HowardCenter), Bridget Stone-Allard (BBF CC), Ann Dillenbeck (BBF CC), Jane Helmstetter (AHS Field Services), Heidi Smith (Parent), Gail Rafferty (HowardCenter)

Minutes from last meeting, July 2008, were accepted. 

Ann invited people to the Open House at the State House

Introductions: Bridget Stone–Allard will be Direct Services Coordinator for Building Bright Futures of Chittenden County. Bridget‘s schedule is 9-2 Tuesdays at the VNA, and 9-3 Wednesdays and Thursdays working from home. 

Professional Development Survey: Sandra Graves reviewed the Professional Development Survey on behalf of Nancy Sugarman and the BBF Professional Preparation and Development Committee. The survey was distributed. The hope is to have diverse representation among those completing it.

Present: Karen Bielawski-Branch (Parent),Erin Maguire (Chittenden Central Supervisory Union), Gail Rafferty (HowardCenter), Ann Dillenbeck (BBF-CC), Susan Treadwell (St. Michael’s College), Kris Hoffman (Lund Center), Brett Chornyak (Milton Family Community Center), Jeanne Buley (VT Dept. of Health), Elizabeth Meyer (Child Care Resource), Sandra Graves (Champlain Valley Head Start), Jo-Anne McDonough (VAEYC & VT Child Care Industries and Career Council), Toki Eley (Visiting Nurses Association), Sheila Quenneville (Home Provider), Lisa Fulhn (ED -U-CARE), Susan Richards (CCR), Sara Driscoll (Giggles Family Childcare), Ellen Drolette (CCR Board), Mary Anne Sjoblom (CCR Board), Jessie LaCroix (Prevent Child Abuse VT), Martha Gile (Burlington Parks and Rec.), Diana Langston (Burlington School District)

Volunteer Sign-Up for Champlain Valley Fair Family Rest Station:

Fair dates: Aug. 23 - Sept. 1. Ann collected names of those interested in volunteering. Names will be given to Jan Campbell, VT Department of Health, who will develop a schedule of volunteers.    

Virtual Strike Celebration in City Hall Park, Burlington

Saturday, October 18, 2008

“When we put children and working parents first, marshaling the energy and good will of a community easily follows.” These words could be heard loud and clear on Saturday morning at Chittenden County’s Virtual Strike Celebration. Ann Dillenbeck, Building Bright Futures Regional Director, described how community organizing had moved beyond politics during the Virtual Strike. “People of all political affiliation recognize our children as our present and future leaders; our shared treasure. Employers across the political spectrum rely upon parents as a vital segment of Vermont’s workforce,” she continued. “When we ask our community, then, to show its support for quality child care as a critical factor in our state’s economic success, the response is immediate and enthusiastic.”

That community response was evident as people gathered in front of the steps to City Hall and joined in welcoming music performed by Lisa Guerrero, a South Burlington registered home provider, and her daughter. Early educators and allies held up a street banner with the counsel, “Don’t Kid Yourself . . . Vermont Doesn’t Work Without Child Care.” Children slid down the smooth edge of the granite steps as their parents spotted them and listened to the news of the Virtual Strike. “This week, over 24,000 people in Vermont, and over 4,000 people in Chittenden County, have publicly acknowledged the link between quality child care and Vermont’s prosperity. Early educators and after school providers have continued to teach and care for our children, engaging in a Virtual Strike only: one in which we imagine the tremendous impact on our well being and our economy if the strike were an actual one.” Dillenbeck quoted one ally’s analogy about that possible impact, “It would be like a hurricane, hitting right now.”