Agency of Human Services briefs Senate Health & Welfare on structure, mental‑health priorities and workforce gaps

Jenny Saracens, secretary of the Agency of Human Services, told the Senate Health & Welfare Committee on Jan. 16 that the agency coordinates six departments and manages programs intended to improve Vermonters’ health and well‑being, while acknowledging significant workforce and system‑capacity challenges.

Saracens and agency deputies described the agency’s structure, district office network, core values and priorities; answered senators’ questions about vacancies and staffing; and asked the committee to schedule follow‑up sessions on specific topics, including Act 167 and school‑based health financing.

"The agency of human services is the largest agency in state government," Saracens told the committee, saying its mission is "to improve the condition and well‑being of Vermonters." She listed six operating departments: Public Health; Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living (DAIL); Vermont Department of Health Access (Medicaid); Mental Health; Corrections; and Children and Families. She described a district office network that provides local nursing, family services, economic supports and parole and probation supervision.

Deputy Secretary Kristen McClure emphasized the agency’s district offices and the role of field services directors who act as local liaisons. Monica Ogilby, the state Medicaid director, told senators the Medicaid program spans multiple departments and works closely with designated community nonprofit providers.

On workforce, Saracens said the agency’s average vacancy rate is about 8 percent but that some areas have much higher vacancies. She flagged three problem areas: the psychiatric hospital (historically higher vacancies but improving), corrections (15–16 percent overall, roughly 18 percent among correctional officers) and family services (around 11 percent vacancy). "We've implemented things like 12‑hour shifts… wellness programs for their staff," she said, citing Department of Corrections efforts to reduce vacancies and support staff well‑being.

Ogilby said the Vermont Psychiatric Hospital has been using travel nurses but is moving away from travelers as in‑state hires increase; she said the hospital expects to open four remaining beds when staffing is sufficient. "We're about to fully shift away from travelers…which means that all beds in the hospital will be open and available to Vermonters in need," Ogilby said.

On school‑based mental‑health services, agency staff said they are examining how Medicaid can better support services delivered in schools and identify federal match dollars not currently claimed. The agency said it is working with education officials to modernize payment and billing so schools can receive Medicaid reimbursement for eligible health services; staff cautioned that any new Medicaid‑funded services require state match (roughly 45 cents state to each federal dollar, depending on service).

Saracens listed agency priorities for the session as mental health and substance‑use services (with an emphasis on co‑occurring care), housing and stabilizing the health‑care system through payment and interoperability reforms. She asked the committee to invite agency staff back for detailed briefings on specific reforms, including Act 167 and health‑care transformation issues.

Ending: Committee members thanked the agency leadership and scheduled follow‑up testimony on targeted topics; agency leaders said they will provide more detailed data and appear with education colleagues on school‑based services and with regulators on Act 167 matters.