BUILDING BRIGHT FUTURES COUNCIL

Establishing Statute:  33 V.S.A. § 4602

Department: Agency of Human Services

Description: The Council shall establish key indicators of success in the lives of young children and their families, establish a means for regularly collecting, analyzing, and reporting this data, and develop a strategic plan to address key needs and ongoing issues in the system of early care, health, and education directed toward improving the outcomes. The Council shall identify issues of concern and recommend actions and identify priorities for action by decision-makers and identify policies and regulations that pose barriers in serving families and develop recommendations for resolving them. The Council shall conduct public education and outreach regarding early childhood issues and monitor and evaluate the implementation of priorities set at the state and local level. The Council shall consult with regional councils on policy matters and integration of local child development services and provide the Governor a semi-annual report on the status of the early childhood system. The Council shall make recommendations for action that are based on data and research, guide and coordinate policy development for issues related to children under the age of six with an emphasis on those areas that cross department lines and involve both the public and private sector and pursue funding from all sectors to support high quality early care, health and education services. The Council shall identify and resolve concerns which transcend departmental lines of authority and advise the Governor and Legislature on future direction for Building Bright Futures.

Board Members: