Family tells House Human Services H92 needed after fair-hearing denied evidence in shared-living dispute

Nancy LaCroix, a legal guardian for her adult son who receives services under a home- and community-based services waiver, told the Vermont House Human Services Committee on Oct. 12 that a fair-hearing decision denying all of the family’s evidence resulted in the case being dismissed "for lack of evidence."

LaCroix described a multi-year effort to secure staffed in‑home care for her son. "All evidence was denied into record, and our case was denied for lack of evidence," she said, adding that the family believes the hearing process prevented them from proving their claim. Her husband, David LaCroix, who is also a legal guardian, accompanied her and said he helped prepare the testimony.

The LaCroixes testified during a continuation of committee consideration of H.92, "an act relating to changes in the Human Services Board," and asked the committee to investigate whether the Human Services Board has subject-matter jurisdiction to consider accommodations in a shared‑living provider contract. "Where is the state entity that has authority to hear our case?" Nancy LaCroix asked. She said the family was directed through the agency and…