VECF ACTS AS THE BACKBONE FOR A STATEWIDE NETWORK OF SMART BEGINNINGS COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS THAT CONVENE LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS TO BUILD THE CAPACITY TO CREATE OPTIMAL ENVIRONMENTS FOR CHILDREN'S GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. VECF ADMINISTERS SEVERAL ADDITIONAL LARGE GRANT INITIATIVES, EACH WITH THE GOAL OF IMPROVING COMMUNITY AND PARENT CAPACITY TO SUPPORT YOUNG CHILDREN'S HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT AND SCHOOL READINESS.
