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Vermont Business Magazine Admit it. A baby's moments are worth a thousand pictures, each one offering a window into her soul, personality and utter uniqueness. From comedy (the funny face) to drama (the petulant pout) and everything in between, we can't help but capture the subtle yet significant transformation of our children on a daily basis. To celebrate this wondrous journey, Georgia, Vermont-based Perrigo Nutritionals, makers of Store Brand Infant Formula sold at leading retailers across the nation, has announced the Store Brand Formula #UniqueBaby starting September 28 and running through November 6.

by Seth N Blanchard The benefits package your employer offers is a valuable part of your total compensation. Making the right choices is critical and it’s worth spending the time to get it right. Use the “Open enrollment” season as an opportunity to review plan options, ask important questions and make informed benefits choices you’ll feel good about all year.

It isn’t uncommon for many of us to simply check the boxes to continue our current benefits. Maintaining the status quo takes less time and is a subtle way to validate the choices we’ve made in the past. Those who have gone through a major life event, such as a marriage, divorce, the birth of a child or a child leaving the nest, are more likely to make changes. Yet these benefits should not be taken lightly. Here are some key areas you should consider during your open enrollment period:

Health benefits

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Commission on Women has been awarded a $173,794 grant from the US Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau to study the feasibility of developing a statewide paid family and medical leave program. Such a program would ensure all Vermont workers have access to paid time off to care for themselves, a new child, or a seriously ill family member, the Department of Labor has announced.

These funds are to be used for planning purposes, including research and analysis, examining program design and eligibility guidelines. In addition to Vermont, the grants—totaling $1.55 million—were awarded to five other states: California, New Hampshire, Tennessee, Rhode Island and Washington; and to two municipalities: New York City and Montgomery County in Maryland. Read the US DOL Women’s Bureau press release for more information.

Vermont Business Magazine The New Hampshire and Vermont region may no longer be in pressing danger from Hurricane Joaquin, but the Red Cross advocates that this may be a good time to have conversations with our children about disasters, and what to do when something happens. Many people in more southern states are still going to experience weather related damages, and the Monster Guard App gives children a way to communicate and learn about what they’re hearing in the news.

A new version of the American Red Cross Monster Guard: Prepare for Emergencies App is now available to help save lives through gaming. Children between the ages of 7 and 11 learn ways to prepare and stay safe in home fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and other disasters by role-playing as different monster characters.

Vermont Business Magazine Domestic Violence agencies all around the country, including Women Helping Battered Women (WHBW) in Burlington, are gearing up for Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). For the last 41 years WHBW has provided violence prevention and supportive services for those affected by domestic abuse in Chittenden County. This year’s events include:

The Perfect Victim Screening and Community Discussion

October 8th at 6:30pm, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center Film House

Vermont Business Magazine Local and state emergency crews in and around Northfield responded to an Amtrak train derailment Monday morning, the Vermont State Police has reported. The passenger train (the Vermonter, which travels between St Albans and Washington, DC, each day) was headed south when it struck a rockslide and derailed in the town of Northfield at 10:30 am. Seven people were transported to area hospitals with injuries. Six of those patients were taken by ambulance to Central Vermont Medical Center and one to Dartmouth Medical Center by DHART helicopter. A rock slide is blamed for the derailment.

by Tiffany Danitz Pache vtdigger.org Last week the Vermont Agency of Education issued a memo to superintendents and principals to “correct misperceptions” about a recent vote taken by the State Board of Education. A number of news outlets, including VTDigger, have zeroed in on the board’s clarification of a controversial provision of Act 46 that requires merging districts to either offer choice or to operate schools. Rebecca Holcombe, the secretary of the Agency of Education, says the decision doesn’t limit current school choice options, and she blames the media for “erroneous reporting.”

by Mike Smith In 1992, then-candidate for president Bill Clinton defeated incumbent George HW Bush and won the presidency by focusing on the economy. In 2016, more than 20 years later, Vermont politicians wishing to be elected to political office would be wise to have a similar focus. According to a recent poll conducted by the Castleton Polling Institute, Vermonters list economic issues as their top concern. More than a third of Vermonters said that the economy, jobs and the cost of living in Vermont was their top concern. But when you add that to those who cited taxes and government spending as their top concerns almost half of Vermonters expressed financial or economic concerns as the issue foremost on their minds.

Vermont Business Magazine Norwich University has raised $70 million in year two of its five-year, $100 million “Forging the Future” capital campaign. University President Richard W Schneider made the announcement on Saturday to 720 alumni, donors, trustees, faculty and staff at a luncheon held in Kreitzberg Arena. Part of Homecoming festivities held October 1-4, the event launched Norwich’s “Year of Transformation,” the second themed year in the university’s five-year countdown to its 2019 Bicentennial. Norwich welcomed a record 2,000 alumni and guests throughout the weekend.

Norwich University’s five-year, Forging the Future capital campaign is timed to culminate during the university’s bicentennial in 2019. Funds will help further enhance the university’s strong financial footing as it steps into its third century of service to the nation.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Peter Shumlin has announced the appointment of Josh Hanford as Deputy Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). “For many years, Josh has been providing critical support to Vermont communities, helping them build affordable housing and developing vibrant local economies. I’m pleased he is joining the team” said Shumlin.

Patricia Moulton, Secretary of Commerce and Community Development, added “Josh understands Vermont communities from the perspective of the municipality, business owners and the housing developers. He will continue to add insight and energy to our mission of improving the quality of life for all Vermonters and building strong communities.”

Vermont Business Magazine A diverse coalition of public and private colleges and universities that includes the University of Vermont is coming together with the goal of improving the college admission application process for all students. The coalition is developing a free platform of online tools to streamline the experience of planning for and applying to college. In creating the platform, the colleges and universities hope to recast the college admission process from something that is transactional and limited in time into a more engaged, ongoing and educationally reaffirming experience.

by Governor Peter Shumlin Last week, the Vermont Highway Safety Alliance held a Rally for Safe Roads on the State House Lawn. In attendance were bicyclists, motorists, equestrians, motorcyclists and pedestrians and more than a few who could claim to be all of the above. The rally was a reminder of the recent tragedies we’ve seen on Vermont’s roads and our shared responsibility to do better. It was also a reminder that we should broaden our thinking of highway safety. At the end of the day, no matter how you're getting there on Vermont's roads, we all have a responsibility to other members of our community to help everyone get home safely.