The version of the paid leave bill (H. 107) that emerged from conference committee included some strong components of an equitable family leave program. However, by failing to provide universal coverage for workers to take paid time off to recover from their own serious illness or injury, H.107 ensures that inequity will continue, and likely worsen.

Whether positive or destructive - foster care is life-altering. Every child who experiences it deserves the best Vermont has to offer. Everyone needs to trust the process enough to be vulnerable. Having an outside, trusted voice is essential to instill that confidence. An Office of Child Advocate is needed to create transparency, instill trust, and guide the public officials who are responsible for its funding, policies, and structure.

Our Annual Advocacy Conference: Just Systems and Thriving Communities, for Every Child and Youth, held earlier this month at the Capitol Plaza in Montpelier, was packed with breakout sessions, plenary talks, and advocacy workshops, and brought together over 80 presenters and attendees to think about what positive change looks like on a state-wide level. What follows is just a glimpse at some of the wonderful work that took place on that day.

Vermont narrowly missed regaining a spot in the top five states for child well-being, according to the annual KIDS COUNT® Data Book, released today by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The 2019 Data Bookis the 30th edition of a yearly data study based on U.S. census and other publicly available data, representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

An Office of Child Advocate will help us move from a blame and excuse mentality to one of true accountability on behalf of our kids.  An Office of Child Advocate will not solve all the problems within the child protection system, but it is a needed step to create transparency and to build public trust.  

On Tuesday, January 22nd, 2019, the House Committee on Appropriations met to discuss the Budget Adjustment for Financial Year 2019. Two major issues of concern for Voices for Vermont’s Children are the funding of Reach Up and the Child Care Financial Assistance Program (CCFAP), two areas where a budget surplus exists despite significant unmet need for children and families.

We stand with Dr. Christine Blasey Ford as she testifies today before the Senate Judiciary Committee. As organizations that work on issues impacting the well-being of women and girls in Vermont, we know that this is an important moment for our country.