With the support of a $23 million Preschool Development Grant, Vermont partners have distributed $8 million to child care programs and early childhood service providers through the Vermont Early Childhood Fund, strengthened the early childhood workforce through mentorship and professional development, trained mental health providers in trauma-responsive care, collaboratively developed Vermont’s Early Childhood Strategic Plan 2030, increased access to early childhood data, and much more to help meet the needs of young children and families.
Background
In 2023, the State of Vermont was awarded a Preschool Development Grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Administration for Children and Families. The three-year grant (2023–2025) brought in $23 million dollars to Vermont and was implemented in partnership between the Agency of Education, Building Bright Futures, Child Development Division, Department of Mental Health, Agency of Administration, and Vermont Department of Health. Together, the partners used the funding to strengthen the early childhood system in a variety of ways.
Read more about all of the projects funded through the Preschool Development Grant
How Did Funding Meet the Needs of Children and Families?
The Preschool Development Grant allowed Building Bright Futures to grow the Vermont Early Childhood Fund to get funding directly into the hands of child care programs and early childhood service providers. The grants rewarded creative problem-solving and regional collaboration for Vermonters who already know their communities best.
Another way we met the needs of families was through Special Accommodations Grants to early childhood care and education (ECCE) providers who support children with disabilities and special health needs. Before this grant, the State of Vermont did not have data on the extent of funding needs for this special population. The fact that requests for this program exceeded the PDG funding budget helps us measure the true financial need for this program that supports equitable access to ECCE for children with disabilities and their families.
We also used PDG funding to increase families’ and children’s access to mental health services. Vermont’s Department of Mental Health provided funding to Designated Agencies to increase the number of providers trained in trauma-responsive, therapeutic techniques and frameworks most appropriate for infants, young children, and their families.
Meeting the needs of families also means meeting the needs of Vermont’s early childhood workforce. Through accessible and affordable professional development, mentorship programming, and financial incentives to increase salaries and benefits, we were able to retain and promote providers who then in turn are able to access high-quality, affordable care for their families and support their village here in Vermont.
Strengthening the Early Childhood System
Overall, the PDG funding strengthened Vermont’s early childhood system. We created additional access to supports and resources that people need. This included increasing child care spots for families, increasing mentorship and development for early childhood professionals, providing up-to-date data to inform policymakers, and publishing a strategic plan with shared goals and vision that all partners can refer to.
Vermonters know how to make do with little. We pride ourselves on being resourceful. This attitude of resourcefulness helped us make the most of this federal investment. We supported every layer of the early childhood system from children and families, to the workforce and early childhood programs, to improving coordination among early childhood leaders. Many of these efforts, such as the new Early Childhood Strategic Plan, will continue to guide our efforts and strengthen our system beyond the three-year grant.
As we move forward in this time of uncertainty, let the new strategic plan be the collective call to action to ensure that every family, from pregnancy through age 8, is healthy, supported, and thriving. Vermont has long led the way in championing children and families, and this Plan reaffirms our commitment to prevention, equity, and shared accountability. It identifies the priorities that must guide investments, policies, and practices in the years ahead. We have made real progress in the last three years, but we have promises to keep, and miles to go before we sleep.
