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Child-care advocates urge committee to protect Act 76 funding, oppose $1M repurpose in BAA
Summary
Early childhood organizations told the House Appropriations Committee the governor's proposed reallocation of $1 million intended for child care would undermine progress under Act 76 and urged legislators to preserve funds and continue investments in workforce supports and expanded eligibility.
Child-care advocates told the House Appropriations Committee on Jan. 23 that the Budget Adjustment Act must protect funding allocated under Act 76 and reject proposed reallocation of $1,000,000 away from child care.
Allie Richards, chief executive officer of Let’s Grow Kids, said the state's investments under Act 76 have already produced new capacity — 1,000 new child-care spaces, 90 new centers and 50 new family child-care homes — and helped about 1,600 additional families access Child Care Financial Assistance (CCFAP). “We urge you to continue to make progress towards the goals of Act 76,” Richards said, and to “reject any proposal … that diverts funding from a system we are just starting to successfully transform.”
Witnesses from the Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children (Vermont AEYC) and local child-care providers emphasized workforce implications. Sharon Harrington, executive director of Vermont AEYC, cited a 2022 finding that 86% of Vermont early-childhood programs face staffing shortages and said continued funding supports recruitment and retention programs such as loan-repayment assistance, youth apprenticeships and retention grants.
Kristen Dunn, executive director of the Mary Johnson Children’s Center in Middlebury, told the committee her program expanded with Act 76 funds, opened a new toddler classroom and now has more staff pursuing credentials. Advocates said cutting or repurposing funds now would disrupt progress and risk reversing early gains; several urged expanding eligibility and protecting funding as implementation continues.
Committee members noted they will receive written testimony and JFO analyses as they review budget adjustments. No committee vote occurred during the hearing.
