Appropriations teams finalize Human Services budget recommendations ahead of 26th deadline

Appropriations committee staff and program teams held a check-in meeting to finalize Human Services budget recommendations, with a deadline set for the 26th and a planned committee vote on Wednesday morning.

The meeting focused on preparing recommendation charts, clarifying language needs for General Assistance, and confirming follow-up meetings with departments and stakeholders before Friday’s team submissions. "We have like 5 or 6 recommendations that we would like to include in the budget," a staff member said during the meeting.

Why it matters: teams flagged several substantive items that could change final funding priorities, including using a portion of currently unused childcare contribution and casework savings (described in the meeting as "a little more than $1,000,000") for targeted initiatives; additional questions about how opioid-settlement dollars are being allocated, particularly prevention funds that staff said are doubling from $3,000,000 to "6 point something"; and possible use of previously appropriated CHINS redesign funds for supervised parent-visitation centers.

Key details and follow-ups

- Childcare contribution and casework savings: Staff said the committee is considering redirecting some unused childcare contribution and casework savings—described in the meeting as totaling "a little more than $1,000,000"—instead of allowing the full amount to sweep into the general fund. Teams are awaiting department responses before finalizing recommendations.

- CDD within DCF review and the 7% co-pay rule: The team working on Child Development Division (CDD) items said they are waiting for the Department for Children and Families (DCF) to reply to follow-up questions before finalizing priorities; the group noted federal or regulatory issues such as a "7% co-pay rule" would affect recommendations and that the department will attend Tuesday’s meeting to provide more information.

- Opioid-settlement funds and prevention funding: One team member said opioid-settlement allocations are not yet clear at the program level and asked the teams to probe how those monies are being used. Staff described prevention funds as "doubling, from 3,000,000 to 6 point something," and another participant suggested an additional $3.75 million figure; meeting participants agreed they need more specifics on which prevention programs and high schools receive grants and on measurable outcomes.

- DAO budget and rate study: A team leader identified the DAO budget and an associated rate study as a priority area. That team plans a meeting with Commissioner Bowen and staff to reconcile past funding with rate-study results and to obtain outstanding figures from district attorneys and Social Security Administration (SSA) contacts.

- CHINS redesign funds and supervised visitation: Participants recalled roughly $7,000,000 previously appropriated for a CHINS (Child in Need of Services) process redesign under the judiciary that was not fully implemented; some of that funding was used last year. Staff suggested checking with Nolan and judiciary contacts to see whether remaining appropriations could support supervised parent-visitation centers.

- Stakeholder meetings: Teams reported scheduled or requested meetings with OEO (Office of Economic Opportunity), Mentor Vermont (a prior funding requester), Representative Bloom Lake, and Dr. Levine to discuss items including a pilot recovery campus and prevention programming.

Timeline and next steps

Staff reiterated that teams should submit their recommendations during Friday’s committee discussion where possible; the committee will reserve Wednesday morning to vote on the assembled budget memo in advance of the 26th deadline. Teams were asked to identify one top priority per program area (CDD, family services, economic and OEO, health department and others) to guide prioritization in the final report.

Meeting participants asked for additional department follow-up on multiple items and agreed to finalize language with Katie once recommendations are settled. No formal votes or motions were recorded during the check-in.