Building Bright Futures’ 12 Early Childhood Regional Councils are an essential component of the BBF Network, allowing us to hear directly from families and early childhood professionals in each region of Vermont about the on-the-ground needs in their communities.
In May and June 2025, each of our Regional Councils met to review their 2024-2026 priorities, identify ongoing gaps, continue working toward solutions, and build connections with each other. Over 100 regional partners participated in these meetings, which yielded the following gaps and areas of focus in the year ahead:
- Expanding access to screenings, diagnosis, resources, and services for families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Strengthening connections with the mental health field to better support families, and reducing stigma around mental health and substance use disorders
- Addressing the ongoing effects of substance use disorder on children and families
- Expanding access to childcare and Universal Prekindergarten slots and developing best practices for transitions from pre-K to primary school, with parent leadership and input
- Addressing systemic challenges related to housing, food security, and transportation
- Responding to community calls for more family-friendly events, activities, and informal connection opportunities for parents of children ages 0–8
Because Regional Council members are closely connected to their communities and to local resources (through home visiting, supporting access to early education, and helping families access food, to name a few examples), Regional Councils are able to achieve results that have real, measurable impacts on children and families:
- The Addison Regional Council plans to partner with the Migrant Health Project to engage families and improve service delivery.
- The Rutland Regional Council is partnering with Head Start and Children’s Integrated Services to connect kids with early identification services.
- The Orleans & Northern Essex Regional Council has set aside a portion of its funding to assist families in stabilizing finances during temporary emergencies, when all other resources have been exhausted or the family has been found ineligible for services.
- Multiple councils are responding to calls for more community building events for parents of young children, like the free winter playtimes held earlier this year and the Family Fun Fridays in Lyndon held throughout the summer.
- The Chittenden Regional Council is partnering with a group of New American Women to provide peer support and expand access to the services they need.
This October, Vermont’s Early Childhood State Advisory Council (SAC) will endorse a new early childhood strategic plan that will guide Vermont from 2026 through 2030. The priorities and feedback of our Regional Councils will play a key role in shaping that plan, as will the Community Conversations we hosted around the state earlier this year.
Are you interested in learning more and getting involved? Early Childhood Regional Councils are open to anyone who is invested in the well-being of children and families. These groups meet 6–8 times a year (mostly virtually) and would love to welcome you! Learn more here.
