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New federal funds to help Vermont keep up with rapid changes to child care and Pre-K – VTDigger

Published

2 months ago

January 13, 2026

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New federal funds to help Vermont keep up with rapid changes to child care and Pre-K – VTDigger

File photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger

Theo Wells-Spackman is a Report for America corps member who reports for VTDigger.

Vermont has received a nearly $13 million federal grant to strengthen its child care and pre-Kindergarten programs, among other early childhood services, officials said Monday.

The grant comes from the Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five program in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which has supported parts of Vermont’s early childhood landscape for a decade, advocates said. This year’s award is the largest one-time amount the state has received.

Clear theme emerges on opening day of Vermont’s Legislature: Tough choices ahead

It’s a separate award from the regular $28 million in funding that Vermont receives via the federal Child Care and Development Fund, monies President Donald Trump’s administration sought to withhold from five Democratic-led states this month. Vermont Department for Children and Families Deputy Commissioner Janet McLaughlin said Monday that the state has not received such warnings, though a memo last week increased her team’s reporting requirements when accessing the funds.

Both the application process and the birth-through-five grant itself were much more compressed than usual, according to Morgan Crossman, the executive director of the childhood policy nonprofit Building Bright Futures.

“Generally, these grants take three months to write,” she said. “We wrote it in six days.”

A 12-month clock for the funding means that the state will be without the standard window for planning and engaging contractors, Crossman added. Nonetheless, she called the funding “critical” in a year where state lawmakers face especially tough budgeting decisions.

This new allocation will help Vermont build child care capacity, improve data management and facilitate cooperation between state agencies, advocates, and local providers, according to McLaughlin.

“We’re thrilled to have these resources right now,” said McLaughlin, adding that her team was working with “urgency and focus” to “draw down every dollar that we can.”

The grant comes in a period of fast change for Vermont’s child care ecosystem. The 2023 passage of Act 76 allowed thousands of kids to newly enroll in the state’s expanded child care tuition assistance program, and over 100 new care providers have launched statewide.

But aside from these central investments, McLaughlin said there was a “long list of projects” that could continue to expand and improve the state’s care offerings for young children and families.

Two priorities will be ensuring that child care providers have the business planning assistance necessary to survive or expand, and developing a workforce in Vermont that keeps pace with the industry’s expansion, McLaughlin said.

The state’s focus on workforce will include improvements to data and technology. The grant will allow the state to update its fingerprint-supported background-check system, delays in which have caused years of headaches for child care providers. The upgrades should “dramatically reduce the turnaround times” for checks, McLaughlin said.

Crossman said sharing information effectively between agencies and providers improves the experience of individual families, and also allows her team to do its job monitoring progress in areas like child care coverage, literacy and use of public aid programs. Vermont’s Early Childhood Data and Policy Center, a division of Crossman’s organization, is tasked with making data-based childhood policy recommendations to lawmakers based on such information.

“We’re making sure that we’re centralizing data and making it publicly available,” Crossman said.

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Related Topics:act 76 Building Bright Futures Child care Featured Morgan Crossman

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Vermont

Vermont high school playoff scores, results, stats for Monday, March 2

Published

5 hours ago

March 2, 2026

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Vermont high school playoff scores, results, stats for Monday, March 2

The 2025-2026 Vermont high school winter season has begun. See below for scores, schedules and game details (statistical leaders, game notes) from basketball, hockey, gymnastics, wrestling, Nordic/Alpine skiing and other winter sports.

TO REPORT SCORES

Coaches or team representatives are asked to report results ASAP after games by emailing sports@burlingtonfreepress.com. Please submit with a name/contact number.

▶ Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.

▶ Contact Judith Altneu at JAltneu@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @Judith_Altneu.

MONDAY’S H.S. PLAYOFF GAMES

ALPINE SKIING

State championships (giant slalom) at Burke Mountain

D-I GIRLS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS

At Patrick Gym

No. 2 Rutland (19-2) vs. No. 3 St. Johnsbury (16-5), 6 p.m.

No. 1 Mount Mansfield (20-1) vs. No. 4 North Country (19-3), 7:30 p.m.

D-IV GIRLS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS

At Barre Auditorium

No. 1 Richford (19-2) vs. No. 4 Mid Vermont Christian (6-2), 5:30 p.m.

No. 3 West Rutland (14-8) vs. No. 7 Rivendell (12-10), 7:30 p.m.

D-I BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYDOWNS

Games at 7 p.m. unless noted

No. 13 North Country (3-17) at No. 4 Rutland (14-6)

No. 12 Essex (4-16) at No. 5 Champlain Valley (12-8)

No. 10 St. Johnsbury (5-15) at No. 7 Burr and Burton (12-8)

No. 11 Colchester (5-15) at No. 6 BFA-St. Albans (12-8)

D-III BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYDOWNS

No. 11 BFA-Fairfax (10-10) at No. 6 Thetford (12-8), 7 p.m.

D-IV BOYS BASKETBALL PLAY-INS

No. 17 Sharon (3-17) at No. 16 Long Trail (4-16), 6 p.m.

TUESDAY’S H.S. PLAYOFF GAMES

ALPINE SKIING

State championships (slalom) at Burke Mountain

D-II GIRLS HOCKEY PLAY-INS

No. 9 Brattleboro (0-17-1) at No. 8 Stowe (4-16), 5:15 p.m.

D-I BOYS HOCKEY PLAY-INS

No. 8 Burlington (8-12) at No. 9 St. Johnsbury (3-16-1), 5:30 p.m.

D-II BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYDOWNS

No. 13 Lake Region (4-16) at No. 4 Montpelier (11-9), 7 p.m.

D-IV BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYDOWNS

Games at 7 p.m. unless noted

No. 9 Arlington (11-9) at No. 8 Richford (12-8), 6 p.m.

Winner Game 1 at No. 1 Twinfield/Cabot (19-1)

No. 13 Grace Christian (4-15) at No. 4 Mount St. Joseph (17-2)

No. 12 Poultney (6-14) at No. 5 Twin Valley (16-4)

No. 15 Blue Mountain (3-17) at No. 2 West Rutland (20-0)

No. 10 Proctor (11-9) at No. 7 Danville (14-6)

No. 14 Northfield (3-17) at No. 3 Mid Vermont Christian (2-0)

No. 11 Rivendell (10-10) at No. 6 Williamstown (14-6)

(Subject to change)

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Vermont

VT Lottery Pick 3, Pick 3 Evening results for March 1, 2026

Published

17 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win

Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.

Just the FAQs, USA TODAY

The Vermont Lottery offers several draw games for those willing to make a bet to win big.

Those who want to play can enter the MegaBucks and Lucky for Life games as well as the national Powerball and Mega Millions games. Vermont also partners with New Hampshire and Maine for the Tri-State Lottery, which includes the Mega Bucks, Gimme 5 as well as the Pick 3 and Pick 4.

Drawings are held at regular days and times, check the end of this story to see the schedule.

Here’s a look at March 1, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 1 drawing

Day: 8-7-7

Evening: 0-3-3

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 1 drawing

Day: 1-8-1-2

Evening: 0-3-1-1

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 1 drawing

10-11-12-35-56, Bonus: 04

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

For Vermont Lottery prizes up to $499, winners can claim their prize at any authorized Vermont Lottery retailer or at the Vermont Lottery Headquarters by presenting the signed winning ticket for validation. Prizes between $500 and $5,000 can be claimed at any M&T Bank location in Vermont during the Vermont Lottery Office’s business hours, which are 8a.m.-4p.m. Monday through Friday, except state holidays.

For prizes over $5,000, claims must be made in person at the Vermont Lottery headquarters. In addition to signing your ticket, you will need to bring a government-issued photo ID, and a completed claim form.

All prize claims must be submitted within one year of the drawing date. For more information on prize claims or to download a Vermont Lottery Claim Form, visit the Vermont Lottery’s FAQ page or contact their customer service line at (802) 479-5686.

Vermont Lottery Headquarters

1311 US Route 302, Suite 100

Barre, VT

05641

When are the Vermont Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Gimme 5: 6:55 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
Pick 3 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
Pick 4 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
Pick 3 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
Pick 4 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
Megabucks: 7:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily

What is Vermont Lottery Second Chance?

Vermont’s 2nd Chance lottery lets players enter eligible non-winning instant scratch tickets into a drawing to win cash and/or other prizes. Players must register through the state’s official Lottery website or app. The drawings are held quarterly or are part of an additional promotion, and are done at Pollard Banknote Limited in Winnipeg, MB, Canada.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Vermont editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Vermont

Vermont’s oldest museum opened almost 150 years ago. How to visit

Published

1 day ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Vermont’s oldest museum opened almost 150 years ago. How to visit

Colorblind museum helps visitors see color for first time

A North Carolina museum is offering special glasses so that colorblind visitors can see art in full color.

Fox – Seattle

Looking for a new museum to visit this winter?

As a historic state with European settlements going all the way back to the 1600s, Vermont is home to many historical museums dedicated to preserving the state’s foundational role in United States history.

In fact, the state’s oldest museum dates all the way back to 1884, making it almost 150 years old. Originally founded from a personal collection, Henry Sheldon Museum is not only the oldest museum in Vermont, but also the oldest community-based museum in the whole country.

Here’s a brief history of the oldest museum in Vermont, as well as how to visit.

History of Henry Sheldon Museum

According to the museum’s website, Henry Sheldon Museum was founded by its namesake, Henry Sheldon. A local businessman and avid collector, Sheldon turned his personal collection of furniture, paintings, documents, household objects and artifacts into a museum, which opened to the public in July of 1884, says the Vermont Historical Society.

The museum’s collection has expanded greatly since then and still continues to grow. Today, the Sheldon aims to help community members gain a deeper appreciation of Vermont’s local art and history through engaging art and history exhibits, programs, events and an extensive archival collection at the museum’s research center.

This spring’s upcoming feature exhibit will focus on the idea of time, displaying the museum’s collection of timepieces like clocks, watches, calendars, journals, time capsules and more.

How to visit Vermont’s oldest museum

Want to explore Vermont history and art at the oldest museum in the state? Henry Sheldon Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday throguh Saturday.

Admission costs $10 for adults or $5 for seniors, with free admission for members, students and children ages 18 and under. Appointments to visit the museum’s research center must be made by emailing archives@henrysheldonmuseum.org.

Henry Sheldon Museum is located at 1 Park St. in Middlebury.

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