Building Bright Futures Transitional Board

Report to the Legislature

August, 2006

Introduction:

The Building Bright Futures Transitional Board was established as a public/private partnership by Executive Order on August 30, 2004. The Board was charged with four tasks:

1. Develop a recommendation for the organization, structure, staffing and funding of a public/private entity that can most effectively manage and direct the Building Bright Futures: Vermont's Alliance for Children and that will assure the equitable access for all children and families seeking services, maximize existing resources in the early care, health and education system, align resources with desired outcomes in a consistent, measurable manner, and improve the well-being of Vermont's children and their families;

2. Recommend enabling legislation necessary for the establishment and empowerment of the recommended entity for introduction in the 2005 Biennial Session of the General Assembly;

3. Develop policies and procedures to assist with the transition to the Building Bright Futures: Vermont's Alliance for Children governance structure at the state and local levels; and

4. Resolve concerns that transcend departmental lines of authority.

The Board first met in January, 2005 with Charlie Smith as Chair, to discuss the options for the entity's legal structure, review the current Building Bright Futures System Plan and consider draft legislation to establish the permanent board structure.

In the past year, board members have educated themselves about Vermont's early care, health and education system and how best to address the overlaps, inequities and fragmentation that have occurred as a result of an uncoordinated, patchwork approach to services for young children and their families.

2005	Major Accomplishments
•	1/2005	Introduce legislation, S.89 and H.231
•	5/2005	$100,000 for Building Bright Futures included in approved FY'06 budget
•	7/2005	Draft Board Action Plan and establish working committees to:
		P review and revise the existing legislation,
		P update the existing strategic plan developed by the Access to Early Care Sub-Committee of the Governor's Cabinet on Children and Youth in 2004,
		P draft job description and begin recruitment for an executive director, and
		P provide ongoing support and technical' assistance to the regional BBF affiliates
•	9/2005	Interim Executive Director, Bonnie McCardell, at 25 hours/week.
•	10/2005	Convene Board Retreat resulting in greater collective understanding of Building Bright Futures goals and the Board's charges, as well as consensus recommendations on key issues and modifications to the systems plan, including:
		P composition of the State level Building Bright Futures Council,
		P powers and duties of the State Council, and
		P establishment and powers and duties of the regional Building Bright Futures Council
•	11/2005	Redraft and finalize the Building Bright Futures Plan
	12/2005	Review proposals and award the $100,000 Building Bright Futures allocation to the twelve Early Childhood Councils for use in further developing the regional collaborative structure
•	1/2006	Board approves the Building Bright Futures Plan and budget
•	6/2006	Governor issues new Executive Order to establish a Building Bright Futures Council, a public/private partnership with 19 members and public/ private co-chairs.
•	8/2006	New Council Members appointed. Council has first meeting to look at issues of the early childhood system.

NEXT STEPS:           Transition from regional Early Childhood Coordinators to regional Building Bright Futures Directors with increased consistency of role, pay and responsibility.

Move from part-time interim BBF Executive Director to full time position.

Explore private funding opportunities and links with existing 501C3s.

Develop website and other communication vehicles.