The Kids Are Priority One Coalition, Building Bright Futures and other local organizations and community leaders held a series of events in communities throughout Vermont April 11-17, 2010. The events were designed to shift public opinion regarding the importance of investing in the early years and in the child care work force.

Local events and activities raised awareness of the importance of quality child care and Vermont's economy, including:

• Distribution of 20,000 buttons to be worn during the week (with slogan such as "Support Vermont's Economy. Support Quality Child Care");
• Tours at accredited early care and education programs for employers, policymakers and community leaders;
• Children's art show and parent-led project;
• Visual display of local employers supported by area child care programs; and
• Educational forum on early care and education sponsored by a local business.

SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES

• 10,000 Buttons
• Parents wore buttons that read "This employee made possible by child care" to highlight their reliance on child care in order to work.
• Early childhood professionals (including child care providers and their staff) wore a different button that read "Support Vermont's economy. Support quality child care." to highlight the link between child and economic development.

• Family-centered events: Three regions organized a family fair, which offered families with young children an opportunity to engage in fun, developmentally-appropriate activities in child-friendly, supportive, community-centered environment.

• Children's art shows: Four regions organized a display of children's artwork as a way of highlighting the positive and creative experiences in which children in high-quality early care and education are involved.

• Tours: Coalition staff worked with thirty nationally accredited early care and education programs in ten regions to organize a tour of their program for community leaders.

• Mixers: Three regions held mixers as a means to engage more fully those who attended a tour, such as community leaders and business people. In Washington County, the mixer was co-sponsored by Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility.

• Parent Forum: In Windham County, Windham Child Care Association worked with Coalition staff to organize an event for parents, which provided an opportunity to learn more about the state's Child Care Financial Assistance Program and to air challenges parents with young children face when balancing work and family.

• Media Outreach: Every major news outlet in Vermont received a press advisory and a press release regarding the Week of the Young Child. In addition, Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility submitted an Opinion Editorial to Vermont's major newspapers.

• Video: KAP1 produced a video that was shown at several events.

• Vermont's members of Congress and their staff:
  • Letter from U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders
  • Attendance and brief speech by a member of Sen. Leahy's staff at the Franklin/Grande Isle mixer
  • Attendance by a member of Sen. Leahy's staff at Rutland's Celebration of the Young Child

• Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility:
  • Opinion Editorial by VBSR's executive director submitted to Vermont's major newspapers and VBSR's hosting an employer mixer in Washington County

• Community Leaders:
  • 10,000 new buttons distributed; many advocates wore their buttons from the 2008 event when over 20,000 buttons were distributed.
  • 54 individuals who attended a tour
  • 100 individuals who attended a mixer [29 in Franklin, 36 in Chittenden, 35 In Washington]
  • Media coverage in the Brattleboro Reformer and the Waterbury Record/Stowe Reporter

• Parents:
  • Franklin/Grande Isle family fair: 150 people participated
  • Rutland family fair: 275 people participated
  • Newport family fair: 562 people over two days