Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Maternal Child Health topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Rep. Ashley Bartley seeks $80,000 over two years for Empty Arms Vermont
Summary
Representative Ashley Bartley asked for $40,000 per year for two years to support Empty Arms Vermont’s peer support services for people who experience pregnancy or early infant loss, citing mental‑health risks and Commissioner recommendation.
Representative Ashley Bartley of Fairfax told the House Appropriations Committee on Feb. 19 she supports a funding request of $40,000 per year for two years (total $80,000) for Empty Arms Vermont, an organization that provides peer support to individuals and families after miscarriage, stillbirth and early infant loss.
Bartley described the organization’s services—peer support groups, reimbursement nights, runs/walks, yoga, clinic support bags and bereavement care packages—and said Empty Arms Vermont is the only organization in the state currently providing perinatal loss support, as noted by Commissioner Mark Levine in a Maternal Mortality Review Panel recommendation. Bartley cited public‑health research linking pregnancy and early infant loss to higher risk of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and said untreated PMADs impose societal costs.
She asked the committee to consider the governor’s omission of the request and noted the funding would help expand workforce capacity and reach into rural areas. No committee action was taken at the hearing.
