Finding the right resource for you.
The Office of Student Support Resources has put together a list of Vermont resources for parenting and caregiving students to take advantage of, from child care to tax preparation, legal assistance, and more.
Finding Child Care
High-Quality Early Ed Centers
Vermont has a number of wonderful Early Education centers that provide young children with a small group setting for care. Centers can be part of the public school system, cooperative or in a privately owned center. All child care centers in Vermont are required to register with the state of Vermont and participate in regular health and safety monitoring. You can verify the level of quality of a center based on their “star” rating. Five stars is the highest quality rating.
Enrolling in a Head Start, Early Head Start or Head Start Home Visiting program is a great way to ensure that your family is receiving high quality care and education services.
In-Home Care
Some families prefer to hire a professional who operates a small in-home childcare option. Look for providers who are certified by Bright Futures and participate in the STARS program. It is recommended to visit with the provider, check the provider’s references and interview other families when possible.
Babysitters, Nannies, and Relative Providers
You may prefer for your child/children to be looked after on a 1-1 basis. Many families choose to hire a nanny, babysitter, relative, or friend instead of enrolling in daycare. You should expect to pay a minimum of $15 an hour for this type of care, although payment is something that should be thoroughly discussed and agreed upon with the provider of your choosing.
Parent Child Playgroups
The Family Room in Burlington offers drop-in parent-child play groups. They meet outdoors in the community garden during the summer. Play groups are a great way to network and build community. While the Family Room does not offer childcare, they are a hub for early childhood resources.
Once you identify a provider with an opening for your family, interviewing the provider is the parent’s job — here’s a guide for that process.
Paying for Child Care
Universal PreK in Vermont
Universal PreK in Vermont (UPK) Act 166 now mandates funding for 10 hours of universal pre-K for all 3 to 5-year-olds in Vermont in a prequalified program for 35 weeks in a school year. Regardless of parental income or circumstance, all children who are age 3-5 on or before 9/1/23 are eligible to receive high quality early learning experiences. All school districts offer UPK. Contact your local district office to request registration information.
Child Care Subsidy
Parents and caregivers can apply to receive a subsidy to help pay their child care bill through Vermont Child Care Resource. Children with specialized service needs also qualify. To be eligible, a family must work with their Post Secondary Education (PSE)/Reach Up case manager or apply through Child Care Resource. If your family hasn’t enrolled in the PSE program for students with dependents or Child Care Financial Assistance programs, contact us for assistance.
Head Start & Home Visiting Programs
Head Start, Early Head Start, and home visiting programs provide high quality education and support for families, serving children ages prenatal through five-years-old.
Financial Support for Parenting Students
Post Secondary Education Program
The Post Secondary Education (PSE) program provides comprehensive support for Vermont’s eligible college students with dependents. PSE offers a monthly cash payments (if you are income eligible), support services like case management and help setting goals, help with childcare, transportation, and school supplies. Contact your Reach Up case manager or program coordinator to apply.
Rainy Day Fund
Participants in the Champlain College Single Parents Program may apply for a grant from the Rainy Day Fund to help with emergency, unexpected expenses.
Child Support Services
Child Support Services are available for Vermont’s parents of children under 18.
Women Infants and Children (WIC)
Women Infants and Children (WIC) provides food benefits, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, counseling and programs for pregnant Vermonters, parents and caregivers with children under 5.
Tax Preparation
Free Tax Prep Services (VITA) is a program offered by CVOEO, United Way Working Bridges Program, and the City of Burlington. They will figure out what you qualify for, so no need to be an expert on tax credits. Services begin on February 1st by appointment only. Call 211 to register for the free tax service. There is no cost to have your taxes done, and tax forms are uploaded electronically so you get your refund fast.
Questions about your taxes? Review this resource guide by VT Legal Aid for low income taxpayers. Tax information for students is also available on the IRS website.
Community Resources
Vermont 211 is a free and confidential information referral service connecting Vermonters with a variety or resources and services. To contact Vermont 211 visit the website, dial 2-1-1 or text your zip code to 898211.
Our sister Single Parents Program at the Community College of Vermont offers this helpful list of community based resources.
Looking for a comprehensive guide of community-based resources? Review CVOEO Financial Futures Program Resource Guide.
Support For Caregivers of Children With Disabilities
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has created a number of resources, including a Parent and Educator Resource Guide to Section 504 in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools. Other resources are available on the US Department of Education Disability Discrimination website.
Vermont Family Network is another resources that advises and supports families whose children have a disability or special health need. To explore their free services and request assistance with your child’s unique needs, visit their website, call (802) 876-5315 or email info@vtfn.org.
Safety
Vermont Network is a network of 15 non-profit organizations that provide domestic and sexual violence advocacy to survivors of violence in Vermont.
HOPE Works provides crisis counseling and advocacy for those whose lives have been affected by sexual violence.
Housing
For help finding affordable housing in the Burlington area, review this list and schedule an appointment with your program coordinator to request support with submitting applications.
The Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO) has also put together a list of Vermont Tenants Rights & Resources. Legal assistance is also available through VT Legal Aid.
Utility Assistance
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Seasonal Fuel Assistance
Apply for Seasonal Fuel Assistance to help heat your home. Remember to reapply for this subsidy each year.
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Phone & Internet Utility Service Assistance
Phone and internet utility service assistance is also available through Vermont’s Department of Public Service.
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Equal Access to Broadband
Need help affording your internet bill? The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provides subsidy benefits for qualifying households.
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Internet Access: Comcast
Comcast has increased internet access and speeds to support low-income Americans.
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Free Public WiFi Hotspots in Vermont
This map shows buildings in Vermont with public WiFi internet access. You can access them from a parked vehicle on the road or parking lot.
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PCs for People
PCs for People provides low-cost refurbished computers to households that qualify by income or by participating in a government-based assistance program.
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Burlington Telecom Internet Assistance Program
Explore Burlington Telecom’s discount program, created to help qualifying community members access affordable broadband Internet services.
Office of Student Support Resources
Office Hours
Contact Us
Additional Resources
Pregnant and parenting students can request adjustments through the Title IX Office for pregnancy or parenting-related needs.
Take advantage of food and hygiene products at Champlain’s food pantry, open to all students and employees.
The Office of Accessibility assists qualified students with academic and housing accommodations, as well as requests for assistance animals.