Each year, we survey the BBF Network of 500+ early childhood professionals, parent leaders, and community partners requesting feedback on our work. We ask you to share your experiences with the State Advisory Council, one of our Regional Councils, a VECAP Committee, and/or with our publications and reports to help us better understand and improve upon the quality of our five key mandates: Advising, Monitoring, Convening, Responding, and Empowering.
We received 80 responses to the survey this spring and got lots of great feedback.
Strengths of the BBF Network
BBF values transparency and accountability, and this survey is one tool to practice these values. We’re happy to share a summary of the results from the survey and encourage you to share more feedback with us whenever possible. BBF’s mission is to use data and bring together key partners to improve the well-being of Vermont’s children and families. Here is what you told us about how well we live up to that mission.
We asked, “What is the best example of how the BBF Network made a difference for children, families, communities, and/or the early childhood system in the past year?” 52% said VECF grants and creative funding solutions were the best example. 47% mentioned data and evidence to inform the early childhood system as another top example. And 44% chose BBF’s role in elevating and empowering families, caregivers, professionals, and underrepresented populations.
- “Some of BBF’s best work is the various Needs Assessments the organization has conducted to document, elevate, and promote strategies to address the most critical needs of Vermont’s young children, their families, communities, and the systems that are responsible for serving them.”
- “BBF’s work to include underrepresented voices in the creation of the next [strategic plan] is so important! So grateful that BBF is actually taking steps in this direction as opposed to just offering lip service.”
- “The support through Regional Council meetings has been great over the last year. Bringing events like Dabble Day to life for families in our region has a huge impact. The Week of The Young Child is also always impactful around child care centers and organizations in Vermont and offers support, engagement, and enrichment for children and families.”
We also asked about which BBF resources you use most often and how you use them. 77% of respondents cited the use of the BBF website and 34% use the website’s data portal. 63% use our reports and publications, like the 2024 State of Vermont’s Children and the Act 76 Monitoring Report. 46% mentioned Regional Council activities and 39% used Vermont’s early childhood strategic plan.
- “The State of Vermont’s Children is an excellent way for us to say how we’re doing in our county compared to the rest of the state and the nation.”
- “The data portal was used to demonstrate community need in grant applications.”
- “I used the resources for my personal education but also to strengthen letters I wrote to my local representative.”
Opportunities for Improvement
We asked about opportunities to strengthen the BBF Network, and you had many great ideas. Some respondents encouraged BBF to continue elevating feedback and concerns from folks most impacted by state and federal policies: families and direct service providers. Others requested fostering more collaboration among state agencies, the Administration, and the Legislature. Many shared concerns about funding cuts and sustainability and hope that BBF will continue to raise awareness of the harm that divestment can lead to. Other key points from the survey include:
- “To strengthen the BBF Network in Vermont, it is essential to advocate for increased and sustainable funding for early childhood programs, especially those serving children with disabilities and special needs, including autism. Additionally, incorporating parent advocates with lived experience into the workforce—particularly in special education or early childhood education—could bring valuable insight and support to families navigating these systems. This approach would not only empower parents but also create a more inclusive environment for children. It is also crucial to integrate more data on children with disabilities into literacy and learning documentation to ensure these children are adequately supported in early education.”
- “I would love to see more in person trainings and events in our area (Caledonia County). Whenever I have attended events or trainings, it has always been in Rutland or Burlington.”
- “Make meetings less formal, more accessible.”
Survey Demographics
Half of survey respondents participated in Regional Council meetings over the last year, and 40% of respondents participated in a State Advisory Council meeting. 32% identified as a parent or caregiver of a child under age 9.
Respondents came from all over the state and all 12 BBF regions. 19% came from the most populous county, Chittenden County, and 15% from Central Vermont, but Caledonia and Southern Essex came in at 10% of respondents, followed by 9% each from Addison and Southeast Vermont.
Finally, congratulations to our three survey $50 gift card raffle winners—Helen, Korinne, and Billy! Thank you to everyone who took the time to share feedback with us. We appreciate learning alongside each other for the well-being of Vermont’s young children and families.
