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Department seeks one-time $500,000 for community health-equity grants; committee reviews administration appropriation adjustments
Summary
The Department of Health asked the Senate Appropriations Committee to approve a $500,000 one-time general fund transfer for community health-equity grants and presented an administrative appropriation adjustment tied to an Agency of Human Services service-level agreement costing about $646,940.
The Vermont Department of Health asked the Senate Appropriations Committee on Jan. 21 to transfer a one-time $500,000 general fund appropriation for community grants related to health equity to the department and outlined other administrative budget adjustments affecting the agency.
Commissioner Mark Levine said the $500,000 transfer would support community organizations that connect with and provide services to groups that the department described as potentially marginalized — including groups defined by race, gender, or disability status — and that prior federal funding supported multi‑year grants addressing disparities. "There are 2 community organizations that actually, help us connect with and provide services for, groups that might otherwise not be con I guess you consider them potentially marginalized groups," Levine said, adding that the department could provide examples of past grants awarded.
Levine also described an administrative appropriation change tied to the Agency of Human Services’ service-level agreement (SLA) with the Agency of Digital Services. He said the health department’s share of the SLA totaled $646,940 — the difference between the amount budgeted in FY2025 as passed and the final negotiated SLA amount at the agency level.
Committee members confirmed the $500,000 and the other adjustments would come from the general fund and asked for more detail on the types of community grants and prior award levels. The department offered to follow up with examples and documented awards. No committee vote or formal action on these transfers is recorded in the transcript.
