June Recap on National and Vermont State Policy Discussions

National Level

In Vermont, we are fortunate to have a strong congressional delegation whose staff offices work hard to stay in touch with us about issues at the federal level concerning afterschool, summer, and expanded learning programs. The congressional delegation sent representatives to VTDOE’s Consolidated Federal Programs meeting in Killington on May 24th. Maggie Gendron (Senator Leahy’s office), Jessica Cardichon (Senator Sanders’ office), and Tricia Coates (Congressman Welch’s office) each spoke about the difficult struggle in Washington concerning federal budget cuts and fighting for funding for important programs (specifically mentioned were summer, afterschool, and early education). Other concerns mentioned, included:

• ESEA Reauthorization‐ hoping for a base bill out of committee by the end of June and looking to move towards a more supportive, less punitive system for schools in need of support
• Importance of continuing formula funding for key programs (as opposed to moving programs to a competitive grant process like Race to the Top)
• Establishing an Office of Rural Education within the US Department of Education for the protection and interests of rural districts and rural states
• Senator Sanders has introduced new legislation (Secondary School Reentry Act) aimed at increasing efforts to reengage discounted youth who have dropped out of school

State Level

There were a number of important issues to watch in Vermont this legislative session concerning education and services to children and youth. We appreciate the work of our partner, Voices for Vermont’s Children, in helping to keep us informed in the state policy arena.

• The State Budget for FY2012 saw a number of programs and grants that were initially cut in the Governor’s proposed budget partially restored by the legislature. The Coalition of Teen Centers grant is one particular program that we were watching (originally eliminated but ultimately restored with a 50% cut).
• H.97 was a bill proposed this year to allow limited collective bargaining between childcare workers and the state of Vermont. During the legislative session we received a number of calls and emails from afterschool program providers expressing support on both sides of the issue. In the end the House Human Services Committee removed licensed child‐care centers from the bargaining unit, meaning that it will apply primarily to registered and licensed family child‐care homes. Center and school‐based afterschool programs are no longer included in the collective bargaining unit. The bill will be taken up by the Senate during the 2012 legislative session.
• Although proposed under Challenges for Change, the Administration decided not to centralize child care subsidy eligibility programs. Instead the system for determining eligibility will continue to work through the currently designated community agencies.
• The House Human Services Committee directed Building Bright Futures to follow through on the work outlined in the Kids Are Priority One Coalition’s Quality Matters campaign to improve the quality of early education and care.

Also at the state level this spring, although not in the legislature, Emanuel Betz, VTDOE State Coordinator for Vermont’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers, announced in a statewide conference call proposed developments to Vermont’s 21C program that would require programs in Years 10 and beyond to show a minimum of 75% program sustainability. He also issued a “call to action” to program directors to look towards regional and state collaborations as a way to strength sustainability in the future, especially if federal funding for the program is cut.