The Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children (VTAEYC) enthusiastically invites nominations for Vermont’s 2024 Early Childhood Educator of the Year. The prestigious professional annual award honors exceptional early childhood educators and spotlights the importance of high-quality early childhood education for Vermont’s children, families, and communities. Presented by VTAEYC and sponsored by Let’s Grow Kids, the 2024 award comes with a $2,500 cash prize and all expenses paid to NAEYC’s Annual Conference. Nominations are encouraged from anyone who recognizes an early childhood ed ..read more

Overdose deaths in Vermont have decreased for the first time since 2019. According to the Department of Health’s newly released Annual Fatal Overdose Report, opioid-related overdoses resulted in the death of 231 Vermonters in 2023, a 5% drop from 2022 when 244 Vermonters died. The overdose report includes data on Vermonters who died of any drug overdose in 2023. According to the report, 90% of the drug overdose fatalities in Vermont involved opioids. The annual data is preliminary. At the time of the report there were 15 pending death certificates that could change the final figures ..read more

United Counseling Service (UCS) received notice from the Department of Mental Health (DMH) Commissioner, Emily Hawes, LADC, that its divisions of Children, Youth, and Family Services (CYFS), Adult Outpatient Services (AMH), Community Rehabilitation and Treatment (CRT), and Emergency Services (ES) programs are redesignated for the next four years. The comprehensive re-certification review process included quality service reviews, a review of compliance with the designation standards, and interviews with consumers, family members, board and staff members, standing committee members, and communit ..read more

On a pause from a typically busy morning, Barre-based restaurateur Lisa St. Lawrence takes a quick mental inventory of her menu items. “Let’s see: there’s grilled garlic, peppers and onions, pepper Jack cheese, horseradish sauce and local beef from Knight’s Farm - that’s the Tribal Archery Signature Burger,” she says almost dreamily. “Then there’s the Yikes Stripes Signature Burger with bacon, cheddar and local maple syrup, and the Ridge Runner with egg and hot sauce.” She takes a breath and explains her enthusiasm. “I love watching people enjoy their food. It’s a passion of mine.” As owner of ..read more

Utilizing funding made available through Section 9817 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the Agency of Human Services (AHS) awarded over $17.6 million in grants Worth $17.6 million to support Vermont’s system of care for individuals and families who use Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS). Under the HCBS Grant Opportunity, 45 grants were awarded to HCBS providers, community-based organizations, and other entities that support the HCBS landscape in Vermont ..read more

The Vermont Department of Corrections (DOC) this week awarded a Justice Reinvestment grant totaling $240,952 to Jenna’s Promise, a non-profit recovery organization based in Johnson, Vermont. The funding will expand reentry services and community supports for formerly incarcerated women recovering from addiction.   Corrections officials say these funds will address current gaps for women exiting incarceration – and aim to reduce the need for incarceration in the future.  ..read more

Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), with Reps. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), today introduced legislation to eliminate all $220 billion in medical debt held by millions of Americans, wipe it from credit reports, and drastically limit the accrual of future medical debt. The medical debt crisis has exploded in recent years, decimating Americans’ bank accounts and deterring them from seeking health care. Among all working-age adults in the United States, an estimated 27 percent are currently carrying medical debt of more ..read more

The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) has announced two funding opportunities: $7 million to support women in the workforce under the Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) Grant Program and $1 million to protect women from gender-based harassment and violence at work, under the Fostering Access, Rights, and Equity (FARE) Grant Program. The Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) Grant Program aims to increase the participation of women in sectors where they are traditionally underrepresented, including manufacturing, construction, and cybersecurit ..read more

and Department for Children and Families began an investigation on 4-9-2022 after mandated reporters notified police/DCF that Robert J. Beaulieu SR was suspected of sexual contact with adolescent female family/household members.  After an investigation and identification of 3 victims, Beaulieu SR. was arrested and charged with the above offense and was flash cited to appear in Rutland Criminal Court on 4-26-2024.  ..read more

iSun Inc. (NASDAQ: ISUN) announced Thursday afternoon that its Board of Directors has approved the rescission of the previously announced reverse stock split that was planned for today, April 26 and announced on Wednesday, April 24. The decision to rescind the reverse stock split was made after careful consideration and analysis of market conditions, and the Williston-based company’s financial performance outlook, iSun said in a statement. The Board of Directors believes that this action is in the best interest of the company and its shareholders. iSun also recently re-installed Jeff Peck as C ..read more