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Recovery partners ask Appropriations for base increases to recovery residences and centers, plus opioid fund items
Summary
Eric McGuire and others requested a $660,000 base increase for recovery residences, $1.6 million for recovery centers, restoration of $325,000 for residency entry scholarships, and $500,000 for oral health services from opioid abatement funds.
Eric McGuire of Rutland City told the House Appropriations Committee on Feb. 19 that Recovery Partners of Vermont requests base funding increases to scale recovery residences and recovery centers statewide. McGuire asked for a $660,000 increase for certified recovery residences and a $1.6 million base increase for recovery centers, which he said are distinct program types.
He also asked the committee to consider two one‑time requests from the opioid abatement fund: $325,000 to restore scholarships that covered initial entry expenses for individuals entering recovery residences, and $500,000 to support oral‑health services for people in early recovery. McGuire said the $325,000 scholarship funding was not recommended by the opioid settlement advisory committee and that oral health was a high priority identified by the Department of Health and front‑line workers.
McGuire described prior appropriations—$1.2 million last year—that helped bring 40 additional beds online and said the recovery sector continues to scale. The committee accepted the testimony as part of FY'26 budget deliberations.
