Child Poverty Council To Hold
Forum in Randolph Tuesday

Child poverty is on the rise in Vermont, with more children and their parents showing up in homeless shelters and at food shelves, according to State Sen. Doug Racine.

"Children growing up in poverty are much less likely to be healthy and to be successful in school. The costs to those children can last a lifetime, and the costs to society are huge," Racine said.

Racine, a former lieutenant governor who now represents Chittenden County in the senate, is a co-chair of the Vermont Child Poverty Council. The council was formed during the last legislative session in hope of halving Vermont’s child poverty rates over the next 10 years.

As the first step, the council is holding public forums in every county to gather public input on the conditions, causes, and cures of child poverty.

The Orange County forum will be held next Tuesday, Nov. 6, at the Randolph Elementary School cafeteria, from 6-8:30 p.m.

"The research is clear that poverty is the single greatest threat to our children's well-being," said State Rep. Ann Pugh, D-South Burlington, co-chair of the council.

"By going to the four corners of the state, we hope to get a better understanding of their lives so that we can help chart a path where no one falls behind."