Alliance Equity Discussions

The Alliance is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in all its areas of work, including its legislative advocacy and engagement.

We believe that eliminating inequities, dismantling systems of oppression, and supporting initiatives that are led by and in support of historically-underrepresented and excluded communities are key to improving the lives of children and families in Vermont, and therefore, central to our work.

Many early childhood community members have renewed their personal and professional commitment to antiracism and diversity, equity, and inclusion – and want to engage in sustained learning. To support this, the Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance and its partners convene a monthly, salon-style Equity Discussion Group via Zoom.

These discussion groups are planned for the third Friday of each month at 1:00 pm. Below you will find resources from past discussions. Email Alliance Outreach Manager, Taylor Hughey, at taylor@vecaa.org with any questions and to register for upcoming discussions.

2024 Discussions

February 23, 2024 – Denise Bailey, Director of Equity, Engagement and Advocacy at Capstone Community Action, and Maria Richards, Director of Data and Operations at Let’s Grow Kids

Managing DEI in Vermont Nonprofits

January 26, 2024 – Charlie Gliserman, AARP

Paid Family and Medical Leave: An Equity Issue

2023 Discussions

November 17, 2023 – Matt Levin, Executive Director, Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance

Winter Holiday Perils and Possibilities

October 6, 2023 – Jeff Benay, Director of Indian Education Programs for Franklin and Grand Isle Counties Public Schools

Decolonizing Fall Holidays

August 18, 2023 – Chad Simmons, VT Housing Finance Agency

DEI Accountability: Define Before you Measure

May 26, 2023 – Katherine Nelson, Vermont Community Loan Fund

Considering Equity and Inclusion in your Organizational Holiday/Leave Policy

April 28, 2023 – Jackie Reno, Janet S. Munt Family Room

Welcoming and Supporting Families from Diverse Cultures in the Classroom

February 15, 2023 – Matt Levin, Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance

Windows and Mirrors – Personal Reflections

January 27, 2023 – Vicky Senni, Turtle Island Children’s Center

Talking About Activism in the Classroom

2022 Discussions

November 18, 2022 – Matt Levin, Executive Director, Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance

Winter Holiday Perils and Possibilities

October 21, 2022 – Shannon McMahon, Voices Against Violence

Challenges Faced by Families with Young Children Experiencing Homelessness

Sep 16, 2022 – Melody Walker Mackin, Atowi

Decolonizing Holiday Myths – Columbus Day and Thanksgiving

Aug 26, 2022 – Shabnam Beth Nolan, Executive Director, King Street Center

Creating Welcoming Environments for All Students

May 27, 2022 – Ali Dieng, Building Bright Futures, and Zoraya Hightower, Executive Director, Vermont Peace and Justice Center

Teaching Juneteenth

April 15, 2022 – Cheryle Wilcox, Interagency Planning Director, Vermont Department of Mental Health

Principles of DEI in Children’s Mental Health Service Delivery

Feb 18, 2022 – Kayla Arena-Giron and Alyssa Chen, Education Justice Coalition of Vermont, and Amanda Garcés, Vermont Human Rights Commission

Principles of Education Justice in an Early Childhood Setting

Jan 21, 2022 – Chris Dodge, Principal, Swanton Elementary School

Teaching Black History Month All Year Round

2021  Discussions

Nov 19,  2021 – Matt Levin, Executive Director, Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance

Winter Holiday Perils and Possibilities

Oct 15, 2021 – David Martins, Director, Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition

 National Youth Homelessness Awareness Month

Sep 17, 2021 – Judy Dow, Indigenous Scholar and Educator

Deconstructing Columbus Day and Thanksgiving Myths

Aug, 13, 2021 – Dr. Hannah Assefa, Educator, Milton Elementary School

Diversity in Music Education

June 18, 2021 – Xusana Davis, Executive Director of Racial Equity, State of Vermont

Juneteenth

May 21, 2021 – Dan Brown, Engagement Director, Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance

Reflecting on Our Own DEI Efforts in Vermont

April 16, 2021 – Dan Brown, Engagement Director, Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance

Resource Share Session

March 19, 2021 – Dr. Kaitlin Northey, Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education, University of Vermont

White Supremacy Culture

Feb 19, 2021 – Amy Russo-Perler, Outreach Manager, Vermont Early Childhood Alliance, and Elena Gustafson, Director of Business Resources, Vermont Community Loan Fund

Discrimination Based on Speech

Jan 15, 2021 – Mary Zentara, Alliance Steering Committee Member

 Trauma Informed Care

2020  Discussions

Dec 18, 2020 – Anna Gephardt, Field Director, Let’s Grow Kids

How LGK Incorporates DEI Principles Into Their Work

 

Nov 20, 2020 – Charlie Gliserman, Engagement Director, Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance

How to Address Our Own Biases

 

Oct 15-16, 2020 – Beth Truzansky, Deputy Director, Building Bright Futures, and Amanda Biggs, Chittenden County BBF Regional Coordinator

How BBF Incorporates DEI Principles Into Their Work

 

Sep 18, 2020 – Charlie Gliserman, Engagement Director, Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance

Resource Share Session

 

Aug 21, 2020 – Charlie Gliserman, Engagement Director, Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance

How to Support Anti-Bias Work in Your Personal Life

 

July 17, 2020 – Charlie Gliserman, Engagement Director, Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance

Systemic Racism