CUPS – (Children’s Upstream Services) provides consultation and case management services to families with children ages birth to six who have challenging emotional and behavioral issues. Services are also provided to childcare providers and early educational programs. For more information, contact: www.ahs.state.vt.us/earlychildhood .

Early Childhood Council and Success by Six: The Southern Essex and Early Childhood Council and parts of Success by Six are transitioning into a new statewide initiative that is called the Vermont’s Alliance for Children and Families: Building Bright Futures. This is an innovative public-private partnership comprised of private sector providers, families, business leaders, community members and state government decision makers. It is designed to create a unified, sustainable system of early care, health, and education for young children and their families, to ensure that all Vermont children will be healthy and successful. According to the Early Childhood System Plan, the State’s twelve regional Early Childhood councils will transition into regional Alliance "affiliates" once the Vermont Alliance for Children is operational. A regional affiliate means a regional entity of the state alliance that coordinates community-based supports and services for young children and their families. Until this new governance structure is in place, Early Childhood Council Coordinators will serve as local contacts for the Vermont Alliance for Children. For more information, contact: www.vermontallianceforchildren.org .

Family Infant Toddler Program: The Federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Part C, provides for early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities, and their families. Implementation of these services in Vermont is through a family-centered coordinated system called "The Family, Infant and Toddler Project of Vermont". The Agency of Human Services and the Vermont Department of Education share responsibility for implementation as co-lead agencies. The Vermont Department of Health, as project partner, provides administrative support. For more information, contact: www.ahs.state.vt.us/earlychildhood

Good Shepherd Catholic School: Preschool classes (for children who will be 3 years old by September 1^st) are offered two mornings a week. Pre-K classes (for children who will be 4 years old by September 1^st) are offered three mornings a week. A full day Kindergarten program (for children 5 years old by September 1^st) is offered five days a week. For more information, contact: www.vermontcatholic.org/CatholicSchools/GoodShepherdSchool.htm .

Healthy Babies, Kids and Families: Parent Education and support for eligible families. This program is a benefit of the Medicaid and Dr. Dynasaur health insurance, and helps families connect with high quality health care and support services in their community. A HBK&F nurse or family support worker focuses upon individual needs, and can assist with pregnancy planning, prenatal and postnatal care, child development needs, resource availabilities, advocacy and support. For more information, contact: www.healthyvermonters.info/cph/local/stjohnsbury.shtml .

NEKCA – Early Childhood Programs for St. Johnsbury are housed at the Lincoln Center (115 Lincoln St.) These include: 1) Early Head Start and Head Start – comprehensive child development programs that serve children from birth to age 5, pregnant women, and their families. They are child-focused programs and have the overall goal of increasing the school readiness of young children in low-income families; and 2) Parent Child Center – which provides programs to nurture and support families with young children: home visiting, early childhood services, parent education, education and alternative high school curriculum, parent support, on-site programs, playgroups, and information and referral. For more information, contact: www.nekca.org/p_c_c/index_pcc.htm .

St. Johnsbury School District – offers the following programs: Developmental screenings (offered to all St. Johnsbury children who will be 3, 4, or 5 years of age by September 1^st); Pre-Kindergarten programming – currently 6 sessions that meet 3 hours per day, five days a week for children 3 or 4 by September 1^st; Kindergarten – full day program five days a week for children that are 5 years of age by September 1^st; Bus service, food service, and Educational Support Services available to enrolled children. For more information, contact: www.state.vt.us/educ/new/html/pgm_earlyed.html

Licensed Centers – There are 11 licensed centers in St. Johnsbury. Licensed centers include the school-based preschool program, NEKCA Head Start, Good Shepherd Preschool as well as full day for profit or not for profit child care centers. They are licensed to serve a total of 297 children. Many of the programs are part day programs.

Registered Homes – There are currently 21 registered child care providers in St. Johnsbury. Registered providers are required by the Child Development Division of the State of Vermont to take 45 hours of training in child development, program management and other related areas when they register to provide care. Ongoing training is required and a number of St. Johnsbury providers have obtained a CDA, and are engaged in a variety of professional development opportunities. For more information, contact: www.umbrellavt.org/cc_ss.htm or www.brightfuturesinfo.org .

Umbrella - child care support services offered to families and providers. Umbrella, located at 970 Memorial Drive, is the regional child care resource and referral agency. A book lending library and early childhood newsletter for professionals is also available. For more information, contact: www.umbrellavt.org or 748-8645.