Advocate for the Community

SerServicesvices

CVCAC’s Family Community Support Services assist people who are having difficulty paying their housing costs, heating their home, paying their utility bill, or buying food. Our Family Housing Partnership works with families who are in danger of becoming homeless. Our Tax Preparation Assistance Program helps families prepare their income tax returns so that they receive all the refunds and tax credits they are due. CVCAC also provides resources and referrals for people who may need help from other agencies.

CVCAC Head Start and Early Head Start programs prepare young children for future success in school and in life. Through full day/full year early education centers, home visitors, and partnerships with private daycare providers, we provide resources, supports, and referral services to help parents be the primary educators in their children’s lives.

The Community Economic Development (CED) program has a number of initiatives dedicated to increasing the knowledge, wealth, and assets of low income Vermonters and the Central Vermont communities in which they live.  They include the Micro Business Development Program (MBDP) that provides training and technical assistance to low-to-moderate income individuals who wish to enhance their earnings through the start-up or expansion of a business.  The Vermont Women’s Business Center (VWBC) offers statewide and comprehensive business development and support services tailored to the needs and experiences of low-to-moderate income women who are starting or growing a business.  Community Capital of Central Vermont offers financing and technical assistance to new and existing business owners who are low-to-moderate income and lack access to sufficient financing from conventional banks.  People can improve their personal finances by enrolling in Tangible Assets (TA).  While being trained in financial literacy, participants’ savings from earned income are accumulated in Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) which are then matched dollar for dollar.  These savings can be used for home purchases, developing small businesses, or post-secondary education and training.  The Child Care Food Program (CCFP) reimburses private day care providers fro the healthy meals they serve to children in their care.  This helps to keep child care affordable for working parents and ensures that hundreds of children are fed nutritious meals each day.

Weatherization reduces energy costs for low-income families by improving the energy efficiency of their homes through insulation, heating system tune-ups, and draft reduction measures.

Community Action Motors provides vehicles to low-income individuals and families so they can get to jobs, school, day care, or medical appointments.

CVCAC Workforce Development supports people in getting and keeping jobs through intensive case management, job development, post-employment support, wage subsidies, and a commitment to meeting the needs of local employers.

Farmworker Training offers support services and job training to migrant and seasonal agricultural workers so that they can obtain permanent, full-time employment.

CVCAC ensures that all voices are heard as we work to engage communities in finding creative solutions to poverty. We work closely with the Vermont Community Leadership Program and serve as a member of the Vermont Low Income Advocacy Council and other groups throughout the state.
CVCAC Workforce Development
Central Vermont Revolving Loan Fund
Childcare Food Program
Community Action Motors
Community Economic Development
Crisis Fuel
Family & Community Support
Family Housing Partnership
Early Head Start & Head Start
Micro Business Development Program
Migrant & Seasonal Farmworkers
Residential Weatherization
Resources and Referrals
Tax Preparation Assistance
Vermont IDA
Vermont Women's Business Center

 
Early Head Start and Head Start

CVCAC Head Start and Early Head Start programs prepare young children and their parents for future success in school and in life. Through full day/full year early education centers, home visitors, and partnerships with private daycare providers, we provide resources, supports, and referral services to help parents be the primary educators in their children's lives.

What is Head Start
Head Start is a comprehensive child and family development program that began in 1965 based on the belief that you, the parent, are the primary educator of your child. With parent involvement as the cornerstone, Head Start offers a program that includes child development, health and nutrition services, support for children with disabilities, mental health services and services for family and community partnerships.

Central Vermont Community Action Head Start offers services to income-eligible families with children ages three to five who live in Washington, Orange and Lamoille Counties. Early Head Start services are available in limited parts of the three counties for income-eligible families with pregnant women or children ages birth to three.

Program Options:
Home-Based
Center-Based
Combination
Child Care Partnership
Family Foundation

Home-Based Option
Families in our home-based option receive home visits three times a month and participate in bi-monthly group activities for children and parents called socialization's. Focusing on the homes as learning environments, staff assist parents in providing educational experiences that further the development of their children.

Center-Based Option (Brook Street School, Boltonville)
 These full day, full year centers in Barre and Boltonville offer families who are in full-time employment or education/training programs five full classroom days per week, for 6-10 hours per day depending on the needs of the family.  The philosophy of our full day, full year classrooms is founded on a play-based, child-centered curriculum, primary care giving, and multi-age programming with a strong family centered component.

Child Care Partnership Option
some families who need full-time child care may receive comprehensive Head Start services through a partnership between Head Start staff and registered or licensed child care providers. Families in this option receive monthly home visits that focus on planning for both the child and the family's needs and growth. Head Start staff coach and support child care providers in implementing developmentally appropriate activities.

Combination Option
This option is available to families with children ages three to five in Barre City, Northfield, Randolph, Johnson and the Eden and Waterbury area. Children attend center sites three mornings a week and receive one home visit a month.
Family Foundations

Child Development and Health
Education
Head Start supports parents in their roles as primary teachers of their children based on the understanding that a healthy relationship between parents and children is the most important factor in promoting learning. Head Start helps parents recognize the learning opportunities in their own homes and communities and to appreciate the value of play.

Health and Nutrition
Head Start provides a comprehensive health program, including medical, dental, nutrition and mental health services to help ensure that children grow and develop to their fullest potential. We believe the best way to accomplish this is by working together with parents on preventative health care and early identification of health problems. Consultant mental health services are available to support the emotional well-being of your child and family.

Services for Children with Disabilities
We welcome families with children with disabilities. Children with disabilities receive services tailored to meet their special needs and participate fully in all Head Start activities.

Family and Community Partnerships
Parent Involvement
A variety of leadership opportunities is provided for parents. In addition to home visits, socializations and center activities, parents participate in parent meetings and activities, program governance, advisory committees and program evaluation. Parent education and training opportunities are planned in response to parents interests.

Family Services
Head Start works with parents to identify and access, either directly or through referrals, services and resources that are responsive to each families interests and goals. Parents have opportunities to build relationships within their local communities and to advocate on behalf of children and families.

Who Can Participate in Head Start?
Central Vermont Community Action Head Start is a federally funded program for income-eligible families with children ages three to five in Washington, Lamoille or Orange Counties. Early Head Start services are available in limited parts of the three counties for income-eligible families with pregnant woman or children ages birth to three. No family or child will be discriminated against because of race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation or marital status.