Parent Child Center Network seeks $500,000 in tobacco-settlement funds for pregnancy and family smoking cessation

Ellen Anstot, the newly hired network director for the Vermont Parent Child Center Network, told the House Human Services Committee on Jan. 24 that the network is asking the Legislature to direct $500,000 in tobacco-settlement funds into the PCC integrated grant to expand smoking- and vaping-cessation, prevention and education across the network’s eight core services.

Why it matters: Speakers said Vermont ranks relatively high in pregnancy-associated cigarette use and that PCCs are uniquely positioned to reach parents and pregnant people through home visiting, playgroups and other family supports. The network argued that integrating cessation into existing family services and providing staff training, referrals and concrete supports will reduce secondhand exposure for children and improve birth outcomes.

What presenters said: Anstot said the network would use the funds for staff training, screening and referral systems, parent education, concrete supports that reinforce cessation efforts, and outreach to families where tobacco use is present. “We are requesting that the $500,000 go into our integrated grant, and that we will really build our capacity to implement a range of smoking and vaping cessation, health education and prevention activities,” Anstot said.

Data cited and scope: The network said Vermont ranked sixth in the nation for smoking during pregnancy in a 2023 report and provided a 2023 figure that 13.1% of births were affected by cigarette use. Presenters said the PCC Network reaches approximately 18,000 parents and 21,000 children statewide and estimated the reach to households affected by tobacco exposure could be roughly 3,000 families based on prevalence figures.

How services would be delivered: Network staff described screening for tobacco and vaping use during routine intake and home visiting, embedding cessation education in parent classes and playgroups, making referrals and following up with families, and offering concrete supportive services (for example, carpet cleaning or replacing heavily smoke-damaged items) to reinforce behavior change.

Network structure and context: Presenters described the network’s recent professionalization under Act 150 (2022), which moved integrated grant administration into the network and, they said, improved payment timeliness and reduced administrative burdens at some PCCs. The network asked the committee to consider the tobacco-settlement request alongside the network's broader FY2026 funding needs; presenters said detailed budget conversations would occur during the formal budget process.

Ending: Committee members asked clarifying questions about implementation and languages for VITA/tax assistance and noted the network will provide further budget details in the coming budget cycle. No formal committee action was taken at the hearing.