Vermont Business Magazine Nearly 200 early childhood professionals from across Vermont gathered at Lake Morey Resort on April 29 for the Vermont Parent Child Center Network’s (VPCCN) fourth annual Innovations Conference—an energizing day of learning, connection, and statewide collaboration in support of families with young children.
Designed as a cornerstone professional development event, the conference brought together staff from all 15 Parent Child Centers to share best practices, strengthen partnerships, and deepen their impact in communities statewide. It continues to serve as a critical opportunity for a geographically dispersed workforce to come together, learn from one another, and build lasting connections.
The day began with fun activities led by MC-for-the-day, Carol Lang-Godin, who is the VPCCN Chair and Executive Director of Lamoille Family Center. VPCCN Director, Ellen Amstutz, followed with a warm welcome and then guest speakers Janet McLaughlin, Deputy Commissioner of the Vermont Department for Children and Families, and Beth Truzansky, Deputy Director of Building Bright Futures, reinforced the importance of collaboration across systems to support Vermont’s children and families.
The conference featured a keynote address by Dr. Lindsey C. Burghardt, Chief Science Officer at the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, titled “What Surrounds Us Shapes Us: How Early Childhood Experiences Affect Development and Lifelong Health.” Dr. Burghardt highlighted how early environments—from relationships to economic conditions to environmental factors—shape lifelong health outcomes and offered practical strategies to support children and families.
Throughout the day, attendees participated in three workshops selected from 24 offerings focused on strengthening services, supporting families through changing social and economic conditions, and advancing trauma-informed practices. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with participants describing the conference as “wonderful,” “excellent and inspiring,” and praising both the quality of sessions and the opportunity to learn together. Many shared that they left with new ideas, renewed energy, and a stronger sense of purpose in their work.
The setting at Lake Morey Resort contributed to the day’s success, with attendees gathering indoors and outdoors—taking advantage of the lakeside setting to connect informally with peers. The result was a conference atmosphere that balanced learning with meaningful relationship-building.
The VPCCN Innovations Conference is made possible through the support of valued partners, including the A.D. Henderson Foundation and the Couch Family Foundation.
As the conference concludes its fourth year, it remains a vital investment in Vermont’s early childhood workforce—strengthening the skills, knowledge, and connections that directly benefit children and families across the state.
Vermont Parent Child Center Network
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Vermont Business Magazine