Spring 2025 VECF Grantees

Opportunity Grants

ABC Academy in Chittenden and Franklin Counties

Funding will support a comprehensive early childhood initiative focused on strengthening family engagement, expanding equitable access to inclusive learning opportunities, and advancing ABC Academy’s implementation of the Pyramid Model within an Early Multi-Tiered System of Supports.

Acorn Hollow Village School in Washington County

Acorn Village School is a new early childhood program offering nature-based learning immersed in a vibrant village community setting and rooted in Waldorf-inspired philosophy. Once open, the program will offer 20 new spots for infants and toddlers in Central Vermont. Funding will support the program during its startup phase.

Addison County Parent Child Center in Addison County

All staff will receive reflective supervision and training to develop their understanding of trauma and how they cope with different aspects of their work so that they are fully available to support children, families, and colleagues. This training will help staff develop the skills to help children and families to move through trauma and hardship to building healthy and viable relationships in family, community, and workplace.

Burlington Children’s Space in Chittenden County

Through training in the Family Service Credential, teachers at Burlington Children’s Space will build on their knowledge and execution of focusing on the strengths of children, families, and staff to build relationships and guide intervention. 

Caledonia Central Supervisory Union in Caledonia and Washington Counties

CCSU’s goal is to build out an Early Multi-Tiered System of Supports (Early MTSS) model that aligns with the MTSS model in their elementary schools in the hopes of providing a seamless menu of supports starting in early childhood. Funding will support improvements to CCSU’s Early MTSS implementation to provide students, staff, and families with effective strategies and improve both social-emotional and academic child outcomes.  

Christine Hertz Hausman LLC in Franklin, Lamoille, and Washington Counties

Funding will support implementation of a professional development Community of Practice (CoP) that will include 15 public school prekindergarten and kindergarten classrooms from Washington, Lamoille, and Franklin counties. Educators in this CoP will enhance the quality of their programs by nurturing positive childhood experiences for all children, using the principles of the Reggio Emilia approach. Areas of inquiry may include play as a powerful learning tool, responsive teaching, and building nurturing relationships.

Clara Martin Center in Orange County

Clara Martin Center (CMC) recently acquired additional space to expand the delivery of outpatient mental health and substance use services in their Child and Family Program in Randolph. CMC has begun planning to turn this space into a new community center, which will allow the agency to provide a broader array of services, including both individual and group services as well as additional support to family and caregivers of youth. This grant will support the purchase of materials needed to transform the space into usable clinical space that is appropriate for youth up to age 8.  

Empower Therapy in Chittenden County

Empower Therapy’s two-part project is designed to increase access to early childhood developmental support, reduce family isolation, and foster community connection through inclusive, hands-on learning. The project consists of a series of family-centered workshops paired with early developmental screenings focused on speech, language and feeding skills, and the creation of a therapeutic garden space at their Essex Junction clinic.

Essex Pediatrics Strengthening Families Initiative in Chittenden County

Funding will support increased availability of quality home visiting to at-risk families and families expressing need; behavioral parent coaching to families experiencing challenges with child behavioral, emotional, or mental health conditions; and parent support groups for new parents and parents of children under 6.

The Family Garden in Windham County

The Family Garden will use funding to revitalize their program through increased staff support via teacher retention bonuses and an updated staff planning/break area; increased opportunities for students to learn and grow through new classroom lesson materials and toys and an improved outdoor play area; and a revitalized external presence through a website that highlights their program and offerings. 

Fox Hollow Forest School in Rutland County

Funding will support Fox Hollow Forest School’s goals to better meet the needs of neurodiverse students through training staff in DIRFloortime^Ⓡ and development of a sensory-friendly classroom space.

Franklin Grand Isle Bookmobile in Franklin and Grand Isle Counties

Franklin Grand Isle Bookmobile increases access to high-quality early literacy materials for families living in underserved rural areas by visiting child care centers, home-based providers, and private residences—ensuring that families who lack transportation or proximity to a traditional library can still access books and early education opportunities. Funding will support increased outreach and the purchase of content-rich, age-appropriate books and educational materials.

Georgia Public Library in Franklin County

Georgia Public Library serves as a local community resource by hosting the local WIC clinic site and partnering with Northwestern Counseling and Support Services. Funding will support improved quality and increased capacity of the library through staff professional development, biweekly early childhood programming, and the purchase of age-appropriate children’s books.

Green Mountain United Way in Washington County

Working Bridges directly supports Vermont’s working families and individuals, particularly those who are low- to moderate-wage or facing the benefits cliff. Green Mountain United Way currently brings this program to 32 employers in northern Vermont. Through funding, Green Mountain United Way will bring the Working Bridges program to Neck of the Woods child care center, providing financial and community support services that will support working families with young children, build a stronger community, and model a replicable partnership that improves the lives of young children, their families, and their caretakers. 

Hunger Free Vermont in Chittenden County

Hunger Free Vermont will use funding to pilot a program to connect nonprofit Universal PreKindergarten (UPK) programs with schools to receive free meals through the National School Lunch Program. The pilot will connect up to three nonprofit UPK programs with their corresponding local schools and School Food Authorities, shepherding them through the implementation of Universal School Meals as designated PreKindergarten meal sites. The materials created and lessons learned from these initial meal sites will form a toolkit of best practices that can be distributed and replicated statewide. 

Intentional Evolution in Chittenden County

Intentional Evolution will use funding to implement a targeted professional development initiative designed to strengthen equity-centered practices, inclusive communication, and identity-affirming support systems across Vermont’s early childhood education sector. Plans include creating an accredited, self-paced E-learning series; providing tech support and materials to users; and developing a Vermont-specific Equity Resource Toolkit.

Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Washington County

Kellogg-Hubbard Library plans to transform their children’s area into a more inclusive, engaging, and developmentally responsive space through the addition of sensory-focused play installations. Grant funds will support the purchase and installation of sensory wall panels that encourage tactile exploration and motor coordination, STEAM-focused sensory storage for hands-on science and building materials, modular seating that supports flexible gathering and quiet reading, a LEGO^Ⓡ play table to promote fine motor skills and problem-solving, and a reading nook to foster imaginative play and a love of stories.

Laura Pascoe, LLC in Windsor County

Laura Pascoe, PhD, CD, CCE, is a doula, educator, and equality consultant serving the Upper Valley area. Funding will help address key disparities in early education and parental support, ensuring that both children and caregivers receive the resources they need to thrive. The project includes three areas of focus: training early childhood educators and PreK–Grade 1 teachers in gender-inclusive practices, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to create affirming learning environments for children of all gender identities; developing and distributing training materials and resources to support ongoing learning and implementation; and completing the RETAIN Parental Leave Coach certification to expand services that help working parents—including those in early childhood education—navigate the transition to parenthood more sustainably.

Maitri Healthcare for Women in Chittenden County

Maitri Healthcare for Women’s goal is to transform health care by focusing on innovative solutions to address the rise of perinatal mood disorders and the growing rate of obesity in the U.S. Funding will support updated technology systems to be more body-inclusive and staff training on the most up-to-date perinatal mood disorder knowledge and resources. 

Mary Johnson Children’s Center in Addison County

Mary Johnson Children’s Center aims to strengthen the protective factors of families by providing knowledge, being a resource, and listening to and addressing the needs of the children and families in their programs. Funding will help support continuation of their Strengthening Families program through staffing and associated expenses.

Montpelier Children’s House in Washington County

Funding will support a professional development pilot program designed to strengthen the early childhood workforce in Central Vermont. This initiative will build a Community of Practice that supports early educators in deepening their observation skills, advancing reflective practice, and fostering professional collaboration across diverse early learning environments. Program components will include in-person training sessions, biweekly evening Zoom sessions, and classroom-based action periods.

Northeast Kingdom Community Action in Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans Counties

Funding will help Northeast Kingdom Community Action (NEKCA) create intentional spaces at their Family Resource Centers in Caledonia and Orleans Counties to better support playgroups focused on physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language development. NEKCA will also consult with a local occupational therapist and physical therapist who will provide training on how to address common developmental delays with the children NEKCA serves, such as feeding issues, balance and coordination, and sensory regulation.  

Northwestern Counseling & Support Services in Franklin County

Northwestern Counseling & Support Services (NCSS) is the designated mental health agency responsible for serving children from birth through adulthood in the Franklin and Grand Isle regions, and is the only designated mental health agency with an embedded Parent Child Center. Funding will help NCSS stabilize their workforce by increasing compensation through retention bonuses.

ONE Arts in Chittenden and Washington Counties

ONE Arts currently serves over 100 families a week, offering licensed child care and support for families that is accessible to all. Funding will support expansion of their early learning programs, also known as “Community Schools,” to two new sites this fall. One will be located in Berlin, and the other will be located in the Old North End of Burlington, in the former Sara Holbrook Community Center. Combined, these new centers will create over 125 new childcare spots, giving infants through age 5 access to the highest quality of care. 

Poker Hill School in Chittenden County

Poker Hill School’s Harvest of Care Program is a multifaceted approach to providing nutrition. Funding will support staff compensation, including a mealtime teaching assistant, allowing one-on-one assistance for a child with disorders that impact safe eating; maintenance of an animal and vegetable garden; preparation of food-focused curricula and lessons; snack preparation that includes the involvement of children; and parent and caregiver child wellness workshops.

Rutland County Head Start in Rutland County

Rutland County Head Start and Early Head Start is a federally funded program providing high-quality early childhood education, family support services, and health and nutrition services. Funding will support an inclusive education initiative aimed at improving outcomes for children with disabilities, behavioral challenges, and mental health needs—including those impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). This project will serve preschool-aged children and will enhance the quality and inclusivity of early childhood education across Rutland County Head Start and Early Head Start programs.

Rutland County Parent Child Center in Rutland County

Rutland County Parent Child Center offers two fatherhood programs designed to provide fathers with the tools, resources, and support they need to be present and active in their children’s lives. Funding will support the 24/7 Dads program, a series of weekly sessions designed to help fathers balance the demands of life and parenthood by providing a comprehensive curriculum covering topics like communication, discipline, financial responsibility, and child development. Funding will also support Inside Out Dads, a program designed for incarcerated fathers that empowers participants to engage in meaningful discussions about their roles and strengths, enabling them to make positive changes and build healthier relationships. 

Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington County

Funding will help support Southwestern Vermont Medical Center’s Baby Café, a free, drop-in support group that offers full-spectrum breastfeeding/chestfeeding support from pregnancy to weaning. Cafés welcome exclusive pumping parents, working parents, and stay-at-home parents of all cultures and lifestyles, and connect participants with professional staff including a range of approved breastfeeding counselors.

Special Needs Support Center of the Upper Valley in Windsor County

The Special Needs Support Center (SNSC) helps build capacity in other organizations to serve people with disabilities, particularly those with profound disabilities. SNSC will use funding to collaborate with early education centers, afterschool programs, and youth camps to enhance their capacity to serve children with disabilities. SNSC will provide training for educators to effectively work with individuals with various disabilities, and will conduct audits of physical spaces and provide recommendations for improvements. 

Sunrise Family Resource Center in Bennington County

Sunrise Family Resource Center took over Bennington County’s Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in November 2024. This globally impactful early literacy program provides free, high-quality books to children from birth to age 5, and has over 800 children enrolled throughout Bennington County. Funding will support the costs of running and expanding the program over the next six months.

Treehouse Children’s School in Windsor County

Originally founded as the Child Care Center in Norwich in 1971, the organization shifted philosophy and practices from a daycare model to that of a bona fide children’s school in 2022. The change was accompanied by a new name: Treehouse Children’s School. Funding will support the expansion of their toddler program to serve an additional 10–15 families.

Treesprouts Playhouse in Chittenden County

Treesprouts Playhouse is a family child care home serving children from birth to age 5 in Charlotte. Funding will help support program quality through increased staffing and improved curriculum and materials.

Umbrella in Essex and Orleans Counties

Umbrella has been elevating the voices of women, families, and survivors of interpersonal violence in the Northeast Kingdom since 1976. Funding will support a new monthly meeting series for Specialized Child Care Providers in Orleans and Essex counties, as well as additional professional development opportunities. These meetings will offer support, curriculum resources, and professional development, complementing both the Early Childhood Network Meetings and the work of the CIS Specialized Child Care Coordinator.

Vermont Connector in Chittenden County

Vermont Connector’s Baby Product Exchange collects, manages, and redistributes donated baby and toddler supplies to Vermont families in need through a referral-based system, community swap events, and mutual aid networks—ensuring that families can access free, high-quality items without stigma. Funding will support the Exchange’s growth through strategic statewide expansion, modernizing its operations, and reinforcing Vermont’s mutual aid infrastructure. In addition, the Exchange will launch new programming aimed at empowering future generations—equipping youth and community leaders with the tools to design, advocate for, and lead sustainable, community-driven solutions.

Vermont Consultation & Psychiatry Access Program (Statewide)

The Vermont Consultation & Psychiatry Access Program (VTCPAP) is a free, statewide initiative designed to support pediatric and perinatal medical providers in delivering high-quality mental health care to their patients. Funding will support free training for therapists in the SPACE therapeutic model, an evidence-based treatment for anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and related conditions.

Vermont Doula Company in Chittenden County

The Vermont Doula Residency Program is the Vermont Doula Company’s workforce development and family support initiative, designed to expand access to perinatal and postpartum doula care in underserved Vermont communities. Funding will support a paid apprenticeship-style program that trains, mentors, and places new doulas in rural areas of the state where this critical support is currently limited or unavailable.

Vermont Fatherhood in Washington County

Vermont Fatherhood’s goal is to educate, encourage and empower dads to end the cycle of absentee fathering and bring healthy dads back into the lives of their children. Started in the spring of 2025, the program will offer 24/7 Dad, an evidence based education program; support groups; parenting classes; mentoring and coaching; and a resource room specifically for dads. Funding will support the program during its startup phase.

Vermont Folklife in Chittenden County

Vermont Folklife’s mission is to deepen our understanding of each other by engaging with communities across the state to document and share everyday expressions of tradition, innovation, and culture. Funding will support Gather Round, a program that will provide free high-quality, accessible early childhood music education for children aged 0–5+ and their families, with a focus on families from refugee and immigrant backgrounds in Chittenden County. 

Vermont Parent Child Center Network (Statewide)

The Vermont Parent Child Center Network is the statewide organization that provides collaborative leadership, advocacy, and support for Vermont’s 15 designated Parent Child Centers (PPCs) so they are able to achieve the best outcomes for Vermont’s children, youth, and families. Funding will support a statewide initiative to boost family engagement and leadership at all 15 PCCs and enhance PCCs strategies for getting feedback from parents in ways that work with their busy schedules. The goal of the project is to build the systems, protocols, and practices to ensure that PCC services are family-driven and responsive to the needs and concerns parents are facing.

Wild Strawberry Forest School in Windham County

Wild Strawberry Forest School is a nature-based licensed family child care home that serves 2–5 year-olds year-round and offers a 4-week-long summer camp. On the path to becoming a Universal PreKindergarten program, funding will support upgraded materials, professional development, and family education workshops.

Wonder Roots in Chittenden County

Wonder Roots provides educational consulting and outdoor education programming, and is dedicated to expanding creative outdoor play opportunities for children from toddlerhood through adolescence. Funding will support a pilot program with the South Burlington School District to develop and implement a coaching model, centered on Wonder Roots’ P.L.A.N.T.Ed curriculum, that will empower educators in creating and implementing effective nature-based play experiences. The pilot will directly serve 160 kindergarten students and their families, as well as nine educators and support staff.