The evidence is indisputable. The brain of a young child is formed by a combination of physical processes and human interaction and stimulation. The two are totally intertwined. What happens in those early years will make all the difference in the lives of children and their families, their school experience, and their long-term life success. It can significantly influence their ability to be contributing members of society. When looked at globally, it can significantly affect the long-term cost of government services.

We all have a vested interest in supporting the optimal growth and development of our youngest children. Building Bright Futures (BBF) is what we all need to be about.

As of the end of this legislative session, Building Bright Futures became a legislatively mandated entity within the State of Vermont. Its primary function is to ensure that we as a state, in a comprehensive way, are attending to the health and well-being of our youngest children and implementing the right policies and programs to help families and communities achieve the goal of children reaching age 6 prepared for kindergarten.

This is not a government program. DCF, my department, is one player in this effort. BBF is a public/private partnership. The “public” portion involves many state departments and schools. The “private” portion is an acknowledgement that family is the critical player and that communities, businesses, non-profits, and civic and faith organizations have major roles to play. It is a recognition that private philanthropy can play a critical role. The new state council reflects all of those interests.

The state's Building Bright Futures Council needs to perform its work together with local communities, led by local BBF Councils. Vermont has a long history of early childhood local innovation. Parent-Child Centers were the product of committed local innovators. Eventually, statewide policy made such programs part of a statewide plan.

Vermont is better off than most states. The Annie E. Casey Kids Count report was just released for 2009, ranking Vermont third best in the country on child well-being. However, that is not good enough. We know that nearly half of our children arrive at school not fully prepared to engage in school in all domains. We know that we still have many children living in stressful environments. We know that too many children spend their days in substandard care.

Together, fully using the Building Bright Futures structure, we can radically affect these outcomes.

Steve R. Dale, DCF Commissioner