VTCECH: Advocating for Vermont’s Children

The fastest, most effective ways to end food insecurity in our state is to strengthen and expand the federal nutrition programs that provide children and families with consistent, nutritious food. However, the local efficacy and sustainability of these programs is dependant upon the support of informed and involved community members. In response, the Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger (VTCECH) strives to develop and implement trainings and presentations that will educate community members about childhood hunger in Vermont, while also advocating for improved nutrition programs at both state and national levels. By giving Vermonters the tools they need to understand the issue and its local solutions, individual community members will be empowered to promote and support the federal nutrition programs that keep kids fed.

Legislative Priorities

Each year, VTCECH provides policy makers and partner organizations with recommendations for strengthening the nutrition assistance programs that help prevent hunger. These recommendations outline opportunities that can increase access to nutritious food for Vermonters who are going without food or depending on poor quality food. The 2008 Legislative Priorities are listed for each of the Campaign’s programs (School Meals, Summer Food, Child and Adult Care Food Program, Food Stamps, and Cooking for Life) and focus on four main themes:

• Expanding access in rural communities
• Increasing reimbursement rates to reflect the rising costs of quality nutrition
• Expanding access through changes in eligibility requirements
• Reducing administrative/paperwork burdens

Here are a few examples of our education and advocacy efforts:

• Hunger Awareness Day: In coordination with area partners, VTCECH organizes and implements an annual Hunger Awareness Day in the state capitol. During this event, VTCECH staff encourages legislators to support the expansion of the federal nutrition programs in towns where such resources are underutilized.
  
  

• Safety Net Trainings: VTCECH recently designed a statewide series of trainings, entitled Hunger and the Nutrition Safety Net in Vermont, which provides current information to service providers on hunger, nutrition, and the importance of the federal nutrition programs. In 2006 these trainings were offered in 7 towns across Vermont, reaching an audience of 144 people.
  
  

• Electronic Updates: VTCECH sends periodic electronic updates with information about trainings, legislative issues, hunger, and the federal nutrition programs to approximately 1,200 Vermonters, including service providers, advocates, members of the faith community, educators, and health professionals. To view samples of the Hunger and Nutrition E-Update and the Food Stamp E-Update publications, or for information on how to activate your free subscription, please visit our Publications page.

• Governor’s Hunger Task Force: In early 2006, VTCECH, the Vermont Foodbank, and Foodworks at Two Rivers requested that Governor Jim Douglas establish a Hunger Task Force. VTCECH’s Executive Director, Robert Dostis, is a member of the Task Force, which has been meeting since July 2006. The group seeks to make recommendations to increase access to the federal nutrition programs, particularly Food Stamps and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).

• Building Bright Futures: VTCECH’s Executive Director, Robert Dostis, became an active member of the advisory board for Building Bright Futures: Vermont’s Alliance for Children and Families in 2006. As a state legislator, Mr. Dostis introduced bill H.231, into the Vermont House of Representatives to officially recognize the Alliance and its goals. This legislative activity led to Executive Order No. 03-06 from the Governor’s Office which officially established the Building Bright Futures Council. VTCECH successfully promoted the inclusion of nutrition services and increasing CACFP participation into the strategic plan for the Building Bright Futures Council.

From the classroom to the State House, VTCECH is Vermont’s leading anti-hunger education and advocacy group.  For more information on VTCECH’s Education and Advocacy efforts, please contact Joanne Heidkamp, Program Director, (or call 802-865-0255).