Each fall, Building Bright Futures publishes Policy Recommendations from Vermont’s Early Childhood State Advisory Council Network for the coming year. These annual recommendations represent the most pressing and actionable priorities for early childhood stakeholders throughout the Building Bright Futures Network. Please read the draft 2026 Policy Recommendations and share your feedback by Nov. 12, 2025.
Read the Draft 2026 Policy Recommendations
2025 Policy Recommendations of Vermont’s Early Childhood State Advisory Council Network
On Nov. 4, 2024, the State Advisory Council (SAC) formally endorsed the Policy Recommendations of Vermont’s Early Childhood State Advisory Council Network for 2025. BBF also released a new Policy Playbook explaining what the recommendations mean, why they matter, and some of the ways they can be put into action. The Policy Playbook outlines the process for developing recommendations and provides more information on each recommendation.
The State Advisory Council (SAC) is Vermont’s Governor-appointed, primary advisory body on the well-being of children from the prenatal period through age 8 and their families. In partnership with Vermont’s Early Childhood Strategic Plan Committees and the Regional Councils, the SAC sets priorities and strategic direction for statewide initiatives using Vermont’s Early Childhood Strategic Plan and up-to-date data. The annual recommendations are developed with input across all BBF Network gatherings and seek to identify the current gaps and needs in policy, promote action in strategic areas for the coming year, ensure recommendations are measurable, and move Vermont toward a more equitable early childhood system.
Goals of the Policy Recommendations
While the Policy Recommendations can be leveraged in a variety of ways, their foundational goal is to provide a common agenda and unifying vision for the state’s early childhood system and its partners. The annual Policy Recommendations are a tool that requires both championing and monitoring in order to be successful.
- Elevate urgent, statewide issues and priorities that need to be addressed from across the Network and Vermont’s early childhood partners more broadly
- Provide common language to inform decision-making and support advocacy efforts
- Communicate about cross-sector early childhood needs and priorities to decision-makers
- Create accountability for policy change toward the vision outlined in Vermont’s Early Childhood Strategic Plan