State health official outlines syringe services funding, reissues RFP after low response

Deputy Commissioner Kelly Doherty of the Vermont Department of Health told the House Oversight and Accountability Committee that the department is supporting syringe services programs and related disposal efforts and has reissued a request for proposals after a low-scoring application for Opioid Abatement funding.

Doherty briefed committee members on the role of organized community-based needle exchange programs, commonly called syringe services programs or SSPs, saying, "they're community based prevention programs, that provide people who use drugs or have a substance use disorder with a range of services, such as, clean use supplies for, like injection equipment, you know, syringes." She told members SSPs also distribute naloxone, offer overdose recognition information, provide links to treatment and other medical services, and operate sharps collection as part of their grant operating requirements.

The update connected program activity to Act 22 of 2023, which appropriated two separate pools of funding: $150,000 from the Evidence Based Education and Advertising Fund for one-time grants and consultations to municipalities, hospitals and community health centers to establish community syringe disposal programs, and $350,000 from the Opioid Abatement Special Fund intended to increase geographic distribution of SSPs and establish a new program. Doherty said the $150,000 was awarded to two applicants (both located in the southern part of the state) and that the department published locations and material-acceptance information for more than 80 disposal kiosks statewide on its website. She said the $350,000 RFP drew one applicant whose proposal "scored less than 50 points on a 100 scale," was not consistent with the department's SSP operating guidelines and therefore was not funded; the department reissued that RFP and it is currently open.

Committee members asked for details about provider eligibility and program reach. Representative McGuire asked, "What are the requirements to be an SSP provider?" Doherty responded that the statutory language was broadened in the prior year so organizations that previously could not qualify now may; she cited Vermonters for Criminal Justice Reform as a group now operating in Burlington after the eligibility change. Representative Bishop asked, "how many SSPs are there?" Doherty said there are about four organizations operating SSP services, with some providing multiple fixed locations and at least one—Vermont Cares—offering mobile services to communities without a standalone site. She added, "they all need to be able to receive and dispose of used needles."

Doherty noted that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention no longer requires strict one-for-one syringe exchange as a condition of best practice, a change the department views as helpful because a strict exchange requirement can deter people from seeking services. The department also shared a syringe disposal toolkit developed by a district office to help communities plan secure disposal programs and said it convened regional stakeholder meetings that produced a placement report completed in January 2024.

Committee members and staff discussed outreach and underutilization. One committee member observed the disposal grants that were awarded under the $150,000 appropriation were both to southern-county organizations and asked what the committee or agency could do to expand access and utilization statewide. Doherty said the department conducted targeted outreach—including to Burlington—but received few applications for that grant round and intends to continue outreach to local prevention partners and field directors. Policy advisor Natalie Weil was identified as having shared the stakeholder report with committee members.

Doherty also confirmed internal leadership: Julie Aurel, the department's other deputy commissioner, is serving as interim commissioner.

The committee did not take formal votes on syringe services during the hearing. Members encouraged colleagues to review the department's disposal placement report and toolkit and signaled continued interest in how Act 22 and Opioid Abatement funds are used to increase access to SSPs and community disposal options.