Governor Appoints Deputy Commissioner of the Child Development Division (CDD)

Governor Phil Scott announced the appointment of Steven Berbeco, to be the next Deputy Commissioner of the Child Development Division of the Department for Children and Families (DCF) within the Agency of Human Services. Mr. Berbeco will lead the Department’s child care and early learning work.

“Early care and learning can help grow the economy, make Vermont more affordable and protect the most vulnerable; it supports working parents and can be a draw for young working families,” said Governor Phil Scott. “That’s why, over the last three years, we have worked hard to increase funding for these critical years in a child’s life – to improve outcomes later in a child’s life and so that parents have the assurance their kids are safe and getting a strong foundation. The Child Development Division plays a critical role in this work and I’m pleased to welcome Steven to the team.”

Mr. Berbeco is a licensed superintendent in Vermont, Massachusetts, and Arizona. Berbeco has a diverse background in administration, education, linguistics, and holds a doctorate and three master’s degrees in education and linguistics. Most recently, he was the Superintendent for the Hopi Junior/Senior High School in Arizona, grades 7-12.

Secretary of Human Services Mike Smith said, “Steven is clearly committed to working continuously to improve early childhood development in Vermont. We are pleased to welcome Steven into this leadership role with the State of Vermont.”

“Steven’s background in education, leadership, and as a systems innovator provides the right balance to bring the Child Development Division forward,” said Commissioner Ken Schatz of the Department for Children and Families.

Steven Berbeco will begin his role at the Deputy Commissioner of the Child Development Division on Monday, February 10^th.

RPC+ TIPS for Tuning In… A trauma~intensive workshop for foster, adoptive and kin caregivers

Coming To HARTFORD FEBRUARY 2020

RPC+ TIPS for Tuning In:
is 10-week long workshop that educates foster, adoptive and kin caregivers about the impact of trauma on the development, attachment, emotions and behaviors of the children in their care. The workshop will provide a safe space for caregivers to access compassionate training, learn concrete strategies to manage daily and ongoing challenges, enhance relationships with their children and build a network of support and connections with fellow caregivers.

Starts: Wednesday February 26^th
Meets for 10 weeks
(no class April 15^th)

5:15pm – 7:45pm

DINNER provided
Childcare/respite available

HCRS
49 School Street in Hartford

Register or Questions: Contact Amy Bielawski-Branch at Amy.bielawski-branch@uvm.edu or call 802-578-0426

Castleton University: The Policy and Practice of Nurturing Care

New Degree Program Announced

Castleton University, in cooperation with Early Care and Learning Partnership Inc., is pleased to present a new degree program: The Policy and Practice of Nurturing Care.

The primary goal of the program is integrating health care, early care, family support, child welfare, and early education. The curriculum focus is Human Development across the Lifespan.

The Instructional Focus is Building Relationships. Students may take the courses, delivered in a hybrid format, for either graduate or undergraduate credit. First priority will be given to Addison County practitioners, but will be open to providers and policy makers from other parts of the state as space is available.

Tuition is $1929 per 3-credit course ($875 for Addison County ECLP professionals). Scholarship support is available. There is an informational session on February 14^th and the first class is April 20^th-23^rd.

Contact Cheryl.W.Mitchell@gmail.com with inquiries or to schedule an individual advising session.

Preschool Development Grant (PDG) Birth-age 5 ‘Communication on Implementation Grant Announcement’

Vermont Birth Through Five System
Improvement Project

The State of Vermont applied for and was awarded a Federal Preschool Development Grant – Birth Through Five Planning Grant in December 2018. The grant allows Vermont to build on its strengths and accomplishments to help children birth through age five realize their full potential.

The State of Vermont subsequently took part in a competitive application process for a Federal Preschool Development Grant – Birth Through Five Implementation Grant. Of the 46 states who received a Planning Grant, only 23 states received an Implementation Grant. The State of Vermont was not one of them.

While we are disappointed to not have received an Implementation Grant, we will carry out the Planning Grant activities to further enhance Vermont’s early childhood care and education system. We are also committed to working with our state and federal partners to identify other funding opportunities as we move forward.

The Planning Grant will:
(1) Improve understanding of how children, families and early childhood professionals are served in the system, with a focus on vulnerable populations
(2) Identify and address unmet needs and gaps
(3) Sustain and grow emerging innovations

This will be accomplished through six foundational Vermont Birth Through Five System Improvement Project activities.
(1) Needs Assessment
(2) Updating VT’s B-5 Strategic Plan (Early Childhood Action Plan)
(3) Maximizing Parental Knowledge and Choice
(4) Sharing Best Practices
(5) Improving Overall Quality
(6) Evaluation Plan

Core components of Vermont’s early childhood system are managed by the Agency of Human Services and the Agency of Education. Building Bright Futures and the Department of Health, Maternal and Child Health Division are primary partners. Building Bright Futures is Vermont’s early childhood public-private partnership monitoring the state’s early care, health and education systems to advise the Administration and Legislature. Collaboration among these agencies and organizations will build a more integrated early childhood system that supports all Vermont children to develop, learn and succeed in reaching their full potential. The Planning Grant activities will continue through December 2020 and better position the State of Vermont to pursue future federal and state funding opportunities.

If you have a question or would like to know more please contact: Katie K. Lavallee, PDG B-5 Communications and Outreach Coordinator

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS): Caring for Your Newborn

What is NAS?

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, or NAS, occurs when a baby withdraws from opioids after birth.  It is also sometimes called Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS). Most babies show signs of withdrawal 2 to 3 days after birth, but some may not show signs until day 4 or 5.  Your baby should stay in the hospital until most of the symptoms of NAS are over.

If you are interested in this topic and would like more information, please click the link provided to download the pamphlet. Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS)

Original content developed by Bonny Whalen, MD and the staff at the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock.

Spring 2020 RPC+ Class Schedule

The Vermont Child Welfare Training Partnership who oversees the Vermont RPC+ program through the Vermont Placement Stability Project would like to invite you to participate in Trauma Informed Parenting Skills Class starting soon!

Vermont RPC+ TIPS for Tuning In
RPC+ TIPS for Tuning In is a FREE 10 -week long workshop that educates foster, adoptive and kin caregivers about the impact of trauma on the development, attachment, emotions and behaviors of the children in their care.  The workshop will provide a safe space for caregivers to access compassionate training, learn concrete strategies to manage daily and ongoing challenges, enhance relationships with their children and build a network of support and connections with fellow caregivers.

EACH RPC+ CLASS RUNS FOR 10 WEEKS
Dinner, Lunch or Snacks are provided at each class

For a downloadable schedule click here:
Spring 2020 RPC+ Class Schedule

Updates to the schedule will be sent out as they occur.
If you are interested in any class (even a tentative one) please reach out!!

Click Here For -> Questions?

Click Here To Register Now ->Register for a specific class

“Play Your Way Home” Free Parenting Series offer by Vermont Family Network

Vermont Family Network’s mission is to empower and support all Vermont families of children with special needs. As a lead up to our annual conference next spring, we’re pleased to announce that Sara Forward and Tracey Girdich will be facilitating a FREE 3-part Parenting Series called “Play Your Way Home.”

This is for parents of children/youth with disabilities or special health needs. Parents are asked to attend all 3 sessions.

Sara Forward and Tracey Girdich will offer these Parenting Series which is focused on the healing and transformative power of play for parents. Come and start your day at Vermont Family Network and leave a little lighter with a few new tricks for parenting. We will explore games and stories from multiple cultures. You will be invited to learn what kind of “player” you are and what that means for who you are as a parent. You will reflect with others about places in your parenting journey where you might have room to let play in and create more space for humor and creativity to create stronger bonds within your family.

All 3 sessions in this Series will be held at Vermont Family Network in Williston (600 Blair Park Rd., Suite 240) from 8:30 am – 10 am.

Session 1

Tuesday, January 23, 2020 – Parent as Player, Play and the Brain

Session 2

Thursday, February 11, 2020 – Play it Back to Me, Co-regulation and Play

Session 3

Tuesday, March 10, 2020 – Playing for Keeps, Creating Play Bonds that Last

If you have questions or need help registering, contact Janice.Sabett@vtfn.org or (802) 876-5315 x218. If you need an interpreter or would like to request a reasonable accommodation, please contact Janice by January 6, 2020.

Space is limited so please Register Today!