The Strengthening Families grant program provides support to community childcare programs across Vermont to ensure affordable access to high-quality comprehensive early care and education services for children and families challenged by economic instability and other environmental risk factors with the overall purpose to support children’s school readiness and assist families in providing stable and supported households for their child(ren).

These grants serve:

• Children/families eligible for and participating in the CDD Child Care Financial Assistance Program (at least 25% of enrolled children).

• Children/families who are receiving specialized childcare services: including children with an open case with the Family Services Division of the Department for Children and Families (including foster children), children in families participating in Reach Up, refugee children and parenting teens.

The following impact is intended by these grants:

• Documented use of the Center for Social Policy Strengthening Families Program Assessment tool through submission of outcomes and related program plan.
• Continuity of care improves as measured by attendance records and compared to participants in CCFAP including specialized care in other non-Strengthening Families programs.
• 70% of parents report positive family experiences (based on Strengthening Families’ Five Protective Factors Framework™) as part of their overall experience of having an enrolled child in the program.