Yesterday, Building Bright Futures and Vermont’s Early Childhood Data & Policy Center released The State of Vermont’s Children: 2025 Year in Review. This report provides the latest data on the most important factors affecting young children and families in our state. It gives a snapshot of the state of Vermont’s children for each of Vermont’s 12 regions and the state as a whole. Additional data is available to view and download online from our Data & Policy Center.
The briefing featured a panel discussion focused on what housing instability looks like on the ground, how it is affecting young children and their caregivers, and what changes are needed at the system level. Thank you to our panelists:
- Lisa Atwater, Family Support Team Lead at the Winston Prouty Center for Child and Family Development
- Nick Conner, Director of Student Engagement and Data at Montpelier Roxbury Public Schools
- Britnie Morgan, parent of an almost 2-year-old
- James Miller, parent of a 2-½-year-old
“It was very challenging when I learned that my son knew he was homeless,” James Miller said during the panel discussion. James, an architectural designer, and his wife have both been unable to work recently due to unexpected health issues. He described a recent conversation with his son at bedtime: “He said he wants a big house with big ceilings and tall doors. I’m doing my best to get back to that place where I can provide him that home again.”
Nick Conner shared stories about his work with three students in the Montpelier Roxbury Public Schools, each of whom had experienced homelessness. “Any of us who have the opportunity to work alongside families, any of us who are working on policy, any of us who are working on data: take a walk with your families,” Nick said. “It is where you will see how you can make change. Lift up and center the voices of our families. They know better than we do.”
We look forward to providing robust, up-to-date data on the well-being of young children and families to Vermont’s policymakers, educators, caregivers, health practitioners, business leaders, and community members throughout the year. Please feel free to share The State of Vermont’s Children: 2025 Year in Review and the recording of the briefing.
