TheSnelling Center Launches a new program aimed at building greater knowledge, engagement, and leadership in early childhood issues across a broad spectrum of Vermonters. The Snelling Center for Government is a sub-recipient of a statewide Early Learning Challenge -- Race to the Top Grant (ELC-RTT) and early next year will launch the state’s first and only Early Childhood Leadership Institute. The Early Childhood Leadership Institute (ECLI) is envisioned as a means to equip a broad coalition of families, policymakers, and professionals from diverse sectors with the knowledge, motivation, and interpersonal skills to collaborate toward realizing a shared vision for young children and their families in every Vermont community.
Vermont was awarded $36.9 million in federal funding through its successfulEarly Learning Challenge -- Race to the Top Grant (ELC-RTT)grant proposal to build a high-quality and accessible early childhood system in the state. The award is spread over the four years of the grant period beginning in January, 2014, and is administered jointly by the federal Departments of Education and Health and Human Services. Implementation will be led by five participating organizations: The Governor’s Office, Agency of Education, Agency of Human Services, particularly Department of Health and Department for Children and Families, and the Building Bright Futures Statewide Advisory Council, in coordination with communities and a broad range of early childhood stakeholders.
“Assisting in the leadership development of early childhood stakeholders is critical to the work of realizing the promise of every Vermont child. With over 750 Vermont Leadership Network Alumni and 20 years of leadership development experience, we are thrilled to start working with Vermont’s early childhood stakeholders,” says Mark Snelling, President of The Snelling Center for Government.
The Richard A. and Barbara W. Snelling Center for Government is a non-partisan, non-profit (501(c)3) corporation. Established in 1992 in memory of Governor A. Richard Snelling, the Snelling Center is committed to a vision of government that works for the people of Vermont. The mission of the Snelling Center is to foster responsible and ethical civic leadership, encourage public service by private citizens, and promote informed citizen participation in shaping public policy in Vermont.The Snelling Center for Government created the Vermont Leadership Institute (VLI) in 1995, with the goal of stimulating citizen enthusiasm for and participation in public service. The Institute gives participants theinformation,tools, and inspirationto make greater contributions to their organizations, to their communities, and to Vermont. Additionally, the Snelling Center developed the Vermont School Leadership Project (VSLP) in collaboration with prominent members of Vermont’s business and education communities. VSLP was launched in 1995 and has graduated eight classes, creating a collegial leadership network of over 150 alumni.
“Partnering with the Snelling Center for Government enables us to reach Vermonters throughout the state to build greater understanding of the significance of the early years. Participants in the Early Childhood Leadership Institute will strengthen collaborative efforts to ensure that every child and family has whatever supports they need for a great start.” commented Julie Cadwallader Staub, Grant Director for the Early Learning Challenge Grant.
Source: Snelling Center, [Williston, Vermont] 10.23.2014: For more specifics, including Vermont’s Early Learning Challenge -- Race to the Top Application, with supporting documentation, visit:http://governor.vermont.gov/race-to-the-top.