Welcome to the Kids Are Priority One Coalition

Vermont's Future Prosperity

Today's young children are tomorrow's workers, taxpayers, voters, and parents. Vermont's future prosperity depends upon our ability to provide children with the opportunity to develop into healthy and productive citizens and leaders.

Science tells us that early experiences build the foundation for a child's brain architecture. The skills needed for both a child's and Vermont's future growth, develop early through positive and nurturing interactions with adults at home and in the community. Simple skills provide the base for more advanced skills over time.

On the other hand, stress in early childhood - when combined with an absence of consistent, supportive relationships - may become "toxic" and damage the developing brain architecture, leading to lifelong problems in learning, behavior, and physical and mental health.

The Kids Are Priority One Coalition was formed in 2000 to raise awareness of the importance of the early years and strengthen the critical links between quality early care and education and healthy child development.

The Kids Are Priority One Coalition

The Kids Are Priority One Coalition is Vermont's statewide early childhood coalition of individuals, organizations and businesses, whom are united around the mission of ensuring that every Vermont child has a solid foundation for future learning and growth.

The Coalition works to improve public policy for children and families through public education, leadership development and policy advocacy activities that will:

• Deepen the public's understanding that we all enjoy a more prosperous future when we ensure the healthy development of all Vermont children;
• Develop new leaders by strengthening civic engagement skills and supporting citizen participation in the policy-making process; and
• Advance public policy for young children and increase Vermont's investment in early childhood programs.

The Kids Are Priority One Coalition is led and staffed by six Vermont-based non-profits:

• Mama Says
• Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children
• Vermont Child Care Industry and Careers Council
• Vermont Family Network
• Voices for Vermont's Children
• Windham Child Care Association

The lead organizations work closely with Building Bright Futures (BBF) - Vermont's early childhood system - and BBF's State and Regional Councils, Committees and Staff in crafting and implementing Coalition strategies. For a list of the Councils, go to www.buildingbrightfutures.org.

For more information, go to About Us.

For more information about our issue work, see the Campaigns link above.