Voices for Vermont's Children

12/31/2025

12/31/2025

12/19/2025

We were proud to stand with Treasurer Piecek, Sen. Ram Hinsdale, Rep. Noyes, Northeast Kingdom Community Action and others to celebrate M&T Bank's transformational investment in Vermont's baby bond pilot program, First Steps Forward. Voices has served as a member of the advisory committee supporting the implementation of baby bonds following legislative approval in 2024. M&T's contribution supports a 3-year pilot for babies covered by Medicaid in Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans Counties, who will be eligible for a $3200 bond they can access between the ages of 18-30 for wealth-building activities like education and training, purchasing a home, starting a business, or opening a retirement account.

Each eligible Vermont child could receive $3,200 at birth, growing to $11K by 18 and nearly $25K by age 30.

12/08/2025

We are recruiting two change-makers who will help us realize a vision for Vermont where every child, youth, and young adult is healthy, safe, and has a strong sense of belonging and opportunity. Both positions are full-time (32-40 hrs/wk) and remote with regular travel to Montpelier and other Vermont communities. The priority deadline for applications is December 22nd, with a target start date in early February. Full job descriptions and application information on our website - link in first comment.

10/29/2025

Last week, released a critical data snapshot, “Measuring Access to Opportunity in the United States: A 10-Year Update”—validating that safety net programs work and that withdrawing public investment brings serious consequences for child well-being. With SNAP and Medicaid on the line, VT families need support now more than ever.
Head to our blog at our link in bio for more on what the Casey Foundation’s Report tells us about this moment, how Voices is responding, and what you can do.

And follow our partners , or visit the link in our bio to access their government shutdown page with the latest news and updates regarding 3SquaresVT.

08/07/2025

Choosing to voluntarily hand over sensitive data to the Federal Government, at a time when Vermonters are already being unjustly surveilled or taken, undermines collective safety and breaches trust in state systems. It is unacceptable. Governor Scott's decision compounds the enormous strain already being felt by immigrant families and all those at risk due to federal actions, and impedes efforts to address the harm of food insecurity. We stand with our partners at Hunger Free Vermont in intense opposition to this serious misstep. The Scott Administration must now take every measure possible to protect the privacy, health, and safety of Vermont families, and repair the harm to impacted communities. Please join us in signing Hunger Free's petition, and tell Governor Scott to protect SNAP and Vermonter's Privacy today. https://www.hungerfreevt.org/action-center

SNAP recipients share personal information with state agencies because they trust it will only be used to help them access food. That trust is grounded in long-standing state and federal laws that strictly limit how this data can be used.

Now the federal government is attempting to bypass those protections--pressuring states to hand over sensitive data for unrelated and undisclosed purposes. This is a clear overreach. It violates both the law and the basic expectations of privacy that millions of families rely on when they apply for SNAP.

Let Governor Scott know this is unacceptable, by visiting our Hunger Action Center: https://www.hungerfreevt.org/action-center

07/07/2025

This session was a big one, so let’s get into it! Vermont lawmakers took up sweeping proposals with lasting implications for children and youth—all against a national backdrop of unprecedented attacks on DEI, immigrant rights, reproductive freedom, trans rights, and disability justice. How did our priority issues fare? Find Voices 2025 Legislative wrap up at our link in bio, then let us know your thoughts on the session and what it means for VT kids!

07/07/2025

The 2025 legislative session was marked by uncertainty and upheaval, as lawmakers in Vermont took up sweeping proposals with lasting implications for children and youth—against a national backdrop of unprecedented attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as immigrant rights, reproductive freedom, trans rights, and disability justice. Read our session review!

The 2025 legislative session was marked by uncertainty and upheaval, as lawmakers in Vermont took up sweeping proposals with lasting implications for children and youth—against a national backdrop of unprecedented attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion; as well as immigrant rights, reproducti...

06/16/2025

H.454 is not the answer Vermont’s towns and schools need. Despite a chorus of voices from around the state calling against this bill, the legislature is set to vote today. Please call NOW and leave a message for with the Sargent at Arms at 802 828 2228- ask them to let your legislators know you don’t support H.454.

Bonus if you can join our partners at for a rally on the statehouse at noon! And please also join for a rally at 6:30 for the two Migrant justice leaders who were violently detained over the weekend.

We’re standing with teachers, parents, superintendents, and advocates around the state in standing up for VT schools and public education. Vermont needs safe, strong towns and communities now more than ever and we need to stand up together. NO on H.454 and no more deportations!

06/10/2025

How are Vermont's kids? Our state ranks 2nd for child well being in this year's KIDS COUNT Data Book report, reflecting investments in policies that center kids and families, like the expanded Child Tax Credit. "That approach has worked, and it has made a difference, and it is the reason why we've seen the positive outcomes we have."

Vermont ranks high in overall child well-being, with fewer children living in poverty, according to a new report. Released today, the 2025 Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation shows 9% of children live in families below the federal poverty level, as more parents gain secure employ...

06/09/2025

The 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book is out! This year, Vermont Ranks 2nd, despite mixed progress on indicators for child well-being. At Voices, careful consideration of data underlies our approach to advancing equity for kids in Vermont. Head to https://bit.ly/25DataBook-FB to check out the report and see how Vermont is faring compared to other states.