Policy Briefs

Challenging Poverty: Supporting Children and Families in Difficult Times

Voices’ 2010 KIDS COUNT Report Challenging Poverty: Supporting Children and Families in Difficult Times highlights indicators of child poverty and family economic hardship in the state of Vermont to provide a context for the Vermont Child Poverty Council’s recommendations to reduce…

Afterschool Programs in Vermont: Supporting Success for All Students

Voices’ policy brief builds upon our Bridging the Gap finding that because many out-of-school factors directly influence academic achievement, schools alone cannot address the problem of poverty and inequitable educational outcomes.

Bridging the Gap: Pathways to Success for All Vermont Students

Voices’ report documenting the poverty-based achievement gap in Vermont and recommending a two-pronged approach to eliminating it: expanding the capacity of schools to create systems of academic excellence, and providing supports for families struggling to manage life in poverty.

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Children and Environmental Toxins

“Children and Environmental Toxins” explains why kids react to toxins differently than adults and lists the specific vulnerabilities that accompany each developmental stage of childhood in a two-page chart. It also provides information on twelve toxins that are considered dangerous for kids in another chart.

Vermont Child Economic Well-Being

The signs are everywhere that child poverty is on the rise in Vermont.

Asking the Right Questions About Vermont Schools

“Asking the Right Questions About Vermont Schools” follows the evolution of public school funding in Vermont since Act 60, explains the importance of local school board decision-making, looks at both sides of the school budget equation – spending and costs, and offers recommendations to meet some of the challenges our schools face.

Changes to Vermont’s TANF Program

“Changes to Vermont’s TANF Program” follows recent developments that are affecting Reach Up’s implementation and examines their implications for the future of the program.