On April 2, 2010, Montpelier’s Times Argus newspaper ran Voices’ critique of the controversial Challenges for Change legislation regarding education.

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.

As a society, it is our job to ensure that the future is in good hands.

On Tuesday, May 4, American Flatbread in Burlington will host a Benefit Bake on behalf of Voices for Vermont’s Children.

Over the weekend of March 13-14, the Brattleboro Reformer and the Burlington Free Press published an opinion piece written by Randy George, owner of the Red Hen Baking Company, a small Vermont business.

Bridging the Gap, Voices’ report documenting the poverty-based achievement gap in Vermont and recommending a two-pronged approach to eliminating it:

Voices’ Executive Director Carlen Finn calls for temporary tax increases to make sure we get through this tough economic time without making it harder on the children and families

Vermonters Say Enough is Enough: Stop Balancing the Budget on the Backs of the Most Vulnerable of Us

In his 1947 inaugural address, Vermont Governor Ernest Gibson said, “The very existence of civilization as we know it depends upon our youth securing the very best education that it is in our power to give.”

The naughty and nice list is out on this years toys. Vermont’s Public Interest Research Group  (VPIRG) has released its annual report, Trouble in Toyland.

Voices would like to thank all of you who attended Voices’ and Public Assets’  annual conference Facts to Action: Getting Control of Vermont’s Budget Future.

“If there’s one thing Vermonters can agree on, it’s that all children deserve the same opportunities in life,” says Carlen Finn, Executive Director of Voices for Vermont’s Children and member of the Vermont Child Poverty Council.

New members turn $2,000 into $4,000 to improve the well-being of Vermont’s children and youth.

Vermont fared well compared to other states in an annual report on children’s welfare and health.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation has released it’s 20th annual KIDS COUNT Data Book, a national and state-by-state report that includes key measures and statistical trends on the condition of America’s children and families.

The Vermont Paid Sick Days Coalition commissioned the Center for Rural Studies at UVM to conduct a statewide telephone survey on paid sick days.

H.382 was introduced in 2009 and was referred to the Committee on General, Housing and Military Affairs. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Sarah Edwards (P-Brattleboro) , Rep. Paul Poirier  (I-Barre), and Rep. Michael Fisher (D-Lincoln). If H.382 became law:

At a press conference on May 27,  The Vermont Paid Sick Days Coalition

The Vermont Legislature has taken important steps to address children’s exposure to environmental toxins.

In 2006, the offices of the Vermont Attorney General and the Vermont Department of Health collaborated on a major initiative to reduce children’s exposure to lead in Vermont.