Grantees

Start With The Arts instills a lifelong love of learning in Vermont’s youngest children by combining direct service arts-based literacy activities for children with professional development for childcare providers. In 2022-23, Start With The Arts will pilot Arts First, a new version of the program that focuses on supporting providers in meeting the emerging and increasing mental health and behavioral needs of children through arts-based social and emotional learning activities.

Through join programming between VSA Arts of Vermont's Start With The Arts and the Franklin Grand Isle Bookmobile, to maintain or improve children's attainment of 3 Vermont Learning Stanards by offerings a 6-week inclusive arts and literacy program at 8 home child care sites in Franklin/Grand Isle Counties and by training home child care providers in inclusive arts and literacy programming.

Conduct a community-wide assessment of child and family needs, particulary as it relates to early childhood and family support services. Action and service plans will be created based on the results of the assessments.

Stepping Stones Preschool is a play-based early childhood education program serving children ages six weeks to five years old. This grant will allow us to further encourage our youngest children's curiosity in science, discovery and sensory play using new light tables in both our preschool and infant/toddler classrooms. Our children will be able to explore colors, shapes, light exploration, early math and counting skills, color matching, design, and fine motor skills using colored light table tiles, letters, shapes, rocks and minerals and actual animal and human xrays!

Children who are exposed to domestic violence (DV) may experience lasting physical, mental and emotional damage, including difficulties with attachment, regressive behavior, anxiety and depression, poor school performance, developmental delays, physical and psychosomatic health problems, aggression and other conduct problems. Parents who have experienced intimate partner violence are much more likely to be able to provide their children emotional security and encourage their development if they receive trauma informed services and treatment. Our Children and Youth Program will offer supportive playgroups and 1:1 mentoring with the children of our service users; and parenting education and support groups for non-abusing parents.

Story Enchantment All Year (SEAY) addresses the need for high-quality childcare by delivering professional development opportunities for the early childcare workforce by extending our visits and targeting content for child care professionals. With each bookmobile visit, SEAY provides book/material loans for everyone, free professional development, and story times with evidence-based extension activities for children 0-5. By focusing on social-emotional skill development, SEAY builds trauma-informed services that will reduce the impacts of adverse childhood experiences and increase kindergarten readiness in social and emotional learning.

MoonRise Therapeutics (MRT) is a farm-based nonprofit dedicated to healing emotional and psychological trauma and promoting mental health in the Upper Valley of Vermont. MRT brings together children, families, and adults in need with highly skilled clinical professionals and a herd of well-loved horses. This practice of integrating horses into mental health work creates a uniquely effective setting for healing and growth. As a member of Mt. Ascutney Hospital’s Strengthening Families workgroup, MRT requests funding for regional programs to support their Circle of Security trainings and Play Groups. Circle of Security enhances caregivers’ social connection, resulting in stronger, more secure attachments for children and families.

A large majority of the people enrolling in our parenting programs these days struggle with addiction as well as the effects of various trauma and adverse experiences (75-80%). With so many parents and caregivers presenting with substance use issues, we will offer Strengthening Families Programs (SFP). SFP is an evidence-based parenting and life skills training program which parents and children attend together. The program was originally designed to improve outcomes for parents with substance use disorders and their children. Studies over the years show that, in addition to being very effective in preventing substance use and mental health issues in children, the program also improves family functioning and reduces violence and abuse.