Legislative oversight committee hears Reach Ahead update; pilot set to end June 30, members request data

The Legislature's Oversight and Accountability Committee on Thursday heard an update from the Vermont Department for Children and Families on Reach Up and the Reach Ahead pilot, including program funding, benefit design and outstanding evaluation questions. Deputy Commissioner Miranda Graham and Benefits Program Administrator Melissa Bocash told lawmakers the Reach Ahead pilot — enacted July 1, 2023 — ends June 30 and that the department is continuing to analyze program data.

Graham said Reach Up is Vermont’s program under the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) framework and described how TANF funding is used across state programs. “Reach Up is Vermont’s Temporary Assistance to Needed Families program,” Graham said, adding that the department is monitoring possible federal changes that could affect allowable uses of funds.

The committee heard that the Reach Ahead pilot served roughly 373 households per month in state fiscal year 2024 and that the pilot layered enhancements on the existing Reach Ahead benefit. Under the pilot, benefit levels increased to as much as $100 for six months and $50 thereafter for up to 24…