As the legislative session continues, we wanted to share a brief update on a few key early childhood topics, along with two emerging issues we are beginning to track. This is intended to provide a snapshot of where things stand and what we are paying attention to right now at Building Bright Futures.
Legislative Session: Key Updates
Universal Pre-K (UPK) & Education Transformation
The Legislature continues to explore broader education system changes that could impact Vermont’s Universal Pre-K program. Recent data, published through collaboration among AOE, CDD, and BBF, shows significant variation in pre-K enrollment across supervisory unions, underscoring ongoing challenges with equitable access across the state.
As these conversations evolve, there is continued focus on maintaining Vermont’s mixed-delivery system while also considering how to ensure more equitable access, particularly in regions with fewer program options. Currently, House Human Services is exploring potential updates to the pre-K statute language, and the Senate Education committee developed a bill, S.214, that would help alleviate pre-K access gaps specific to Essex County. S.214 is expected to be voted on by the Senate this week. Decisions made this session could have long-term implications for both access and system stability.
Early Childhood Educator Licensure (S.206)
The Legislature is also considering changes related to early childhood educator licensure. Discussions to date have centered on how licensure could support a more professionalized and stable workforce, while also recognizing current workforce constraints. This is aligned with Building Bright Future’s policy recommendation on licensing the early education workforce and recognizing the importance and value of supporting a skilled and qualified workforce.
A key theme emerging in testimony is the importance of balancing long-term goals around professionalization with present-day realities, particularly the need to avoid creating unintended barriers to entry or retention in an already strained workforce. S.206 is aligned with these goals and passed out of the Senate last week. The bill and conversations related to early educator licensure will resume soon on the House side.
Fingerprinting Delays & Background Check Challenges
Ongoing delays in fingerprint-supported background checks continue to impact programs, with long wait times for new hires affecting staffing capacity and classroom openings. This issue has been raised in legislative conversations as part of broader workforce constraints, as well as being one of the biggest challenges highlighted in the State Auditor’s recent report.
At the same time, Vermont’s Preschool Development Grant (PDG) funding presents an opportunity to address these challenges. $1 million has been designated to modernize the fingerprint-supported background check system, with plans to implement a fully digital process aimed at reducing onboarding delays and preventing classroom closures.
This modernization effort is promising, and we will continue to monitor implementation and encourage feedback from the field.
Emerging Topics We’re Tracking
New York State Child Care Subsidy Funding Shortage
We are hearing increasing reports that New York State has run out of child care subsidy funding in some counties. (In New York State, child care financial assistance is administered at the county level.) Early impacts include families losing subsidies or being placed on waitlists when they go through eligibility redetermination. Despite conversations at the federal level about the precariousness of child care funding, we don’t believe that these instances are related to a pause in federal resources.
These disruptions are affecting Vermont programs serving families who live in New York, with some programs experiencing sudden enrollment changes that create financial and operational challenges. In some cases, programs are also struggling to support staff who live in New York and rely on stable access to child care assistance in order to work, adding further strain to an already challenged workforce.
We are continuing to gather information from partners in both states to better understand the scope, timeline, and potential policy responses.
CIS Billing Code Transition (Early Intervention Services)
We are also hearing about a change in billing codes and reimbursement rates related to Children’s Integrated Services (CIS) specific to PT/OT services. While details are still emerging, initial questions focus on how changes could impact service delivery, reimbursement, and administrative processes for providers.
We are connecting with partners and state contacts to better understand what is changing, when changes may occur, and whether there are strategies that could help alleviate anticipated implementation challenges.
What We’re Listening For
We continue to value hearing directly from regions. In particular, it is helpful to understand:
- How broader system conditions are showing up locally (for example, capacity, access, or service availability across the prenatal-to-8 continuum)
- Trends related to the early childhood workforce, including recruitment, retention, and workforce stability across roles
- Family experiences navigating systems of care and support, including access to services, affordability, and continuity of care
- How policy, funding, or administrative changes—at the state or cross-state level—are impacting programs, providers, or families
- Any emerging challenges, bright spots, or innovations that may not yet be visible at the state level
Looking Ahead
We will continue to monitor these issues and share updates as the legislative session progresses. Our goal is to provide clear, timely information that supports shared understanding across regions and partners.
