Parent Child Center Network: Leveraging Tobacco Settlement Funds to Reduce Smoking Exposure for Families with Young Children.
The Vermont Parent Child Center Network (PCCN) is comprised of 15 independent Parent Child Centers serving all geographic areas of the state. Funded through the state PCCN Integrated Grant, PCCs provide eight core services to support parents and give children under age six the best possible start. These services are parent support, parent education, concrete supports, home visits, playgroups, information and referral, early childhood services and community development around early childhood, and family issues. PCCs are also providers of many of the state’s critical services for young children and families including Children’s Integrated Services (CIS), Parents as Teachers (PAT) home visiting, licensed childcare and specialized childcare, Learning Together Program for parents completing high school, and others.
This year the PCCN is seeking $500,000 in Tobacco Settlement Fund dollars in addition to the Integrated Grant to support and expand a range of smoking and vaping cessation, health education and prevention activities to:
- Reduce the number of pregnant and parenting adults who use tobacco products,
- Prevent parents and other household members from future smoking and vaping, and
- Protect children from the detrimental effects of secondhand smoke in the home and places where they learn and play.
Vermont ranks 5th worst in the nation in rates of smoking during pregnancy. Over 13% of all births were affected by cigarette use in 2023. There is no safe level of secondhand smoke for young children. Smoke exposure contributes to a range of respiratory and other illnesses in children. Vaping is not a safe alternative, for either the adult or children in the home. PCCs are in a unique position to make a difference. PCCs build trusting relationships with parents, and can offer the support, education and the referrals needed to address this critical health challenge in Vermont.
Lead Organization: Vermont Parent Child Center Network
Data and Talking Points
An unacceptable rate of 13.1% of all live births in 2023 were affected by cigarette use.
Parent Child Centers serve families with young children prenatal to age 8 throughout the State through the provision of eight core services which include: home visiting, early childhood education, parent education, playgroups, support groups for parents, concrete supports such as food, diapers and emergency assistance, community development and resources and referrals.
During 2024 the 15 PCC’s in Vermont served over 17,000 families around the state.
- Exposure to tobacco can cause lower birthweight, preterm delivery, higher risk for SIDS, higher risk for ear infections, lung infections and decreased lung function.