It's hard enough for parents to say goodbye to their kids at drop-off time at preschool or the baby sitter's house. Add in the threat of a major storm or other disaster, and the thought of being unable to reach them can make things scary.

MONTPELIER - As small children crawled around the maze of brightly-colored toys at the Family Center of Washington County on Thursday afternoon, Lee Lauber couldn't help but think about the static level of funding she sees from the state each year.