We are supporting Advocacy that improves the lives of Vermont's young children, families, and providers

The Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance is a statewide coalition of early childhood professionals and providers, parents, and employers working together to improve public policies that impact young children from birth to age eight on issues of health, safety, food security, economic security, and early childhood education.

2026 Legislative Agenda

The Alliance’s Legislative Agenda is crafted annually in partnership with early childhood organizations that are advancing policy solutions through the legislative process related to health, safety, food security, economic security, and early childhood education. The issues on our ‘26 Agenda were selected by the Alliance’s 21-member Steering Committee. One or more lead organizations will direct legislative and advocacy strategy on each issue.  

A downloadable PDF of this year’s Legislative Agenda is available on the Alliance’s website

For questions, please contact Matt Levin, Executive Director at matt@vecaa.org.

2025 Legislative Agenda Results

The 2025 legislative session has gone into overtime, and as of early June discussions regarding the possible redesign of the state’s Pre-K to 12 education system have not yet concluded. Most other legislative business was concluded by the end of May.

Overall, it was a moderately successful session for the early childhood community and for the issues on the Alliance’s 2025 Legislative Agenda. While the usual budget limitations meant some requests were unfunded, important victories occurred in a number of areas. In some areas where progress was made, efforts will need to continue next year to secure full legislative approval.

Alliance staff will be working over the summer and fall with our members on ongoing and potential future campaigns, as we make plans for advocacy in the second year of the biennium. We are also preparing for potential work this fall on responses to any federal funding cuts that are agreed to in Washington, DC.

Visit the Alliance website to see more details about the results for each issue. A downloadable PDF is also available here.

For more information on any of these issues, get in touch with the lead organizations listed below or with Matt Levin, Alliance Executive Director, at matt@vecaa.org.

Alliance Monthly Equity Discussion – The DEI Implications of 'Return to Office' Policies

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Join a group of peers and colleagues from the early childhood community to engage in sustained learning about anti-racism, equity, and inclusion. The Alliance hosts a monthly, salon-style Equity Discussion Group via Zoom. Our next session is coming up on Friday, January 23, at 1:00 pm. 

The discussion will be led by Gretchen Haase-Dubosc, Hunger Free Vermont’s Chief of People and Operations. Gretchen will provide us with a review of their organization’s development of policies related to remote vs. in-office work, and the DEI-related considerations that they continue to consider as they address this evolving issue.

Register on Zoom to receive the meeting link.

Registration is Now Open for ECDL '26!

Join the Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance, early childhood professionals, parents, employers, and policymakers in person for Early Childhood Day at the Legislature (ECDL) on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Montpelier to meet with legislators about early childhood issues, attend workshops on current topics, and network and exchange information.

The issues on our 2026 Legislative Agenda will play central roles at this year’s ECDL.

We encourage you to register early! To register a group larger than five, please contact Taylor Hughey, Alliance Outreach Manager, at taylor@vecaa.org.

Scholarships and professional development are available. Contact taylor@vecaa.org with any questions.

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“It’s incredibly valuable to have this vast network of statewide advocates that can rally people to share their stories or reach out to their Legislator. We were successful in getting the Family and Medical Leave bill and it was in large part because of the work of the Alliance.” 

– MAIN STREET ALLIANCE