Appropriations panel presses DCF on rising transport costs, shelter funding and secure-treatment shortfalls

BURLINGTON, Vt. — State Department for Children and Families (DCF) officials briefed the Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Services on the department's budget adjustment requests, highlighting technical realignments to maximize federal revenue, growing transportation contract costs, expanded shelter investments and a $1.9 million shortfall to sustain two secure youth-treatment programs.

"Our mission is to foster the healthy development, safety, well-being, and self-sufficiency of Vermonters," Interim Commissioner Sandy Hoffman said as the department opened the presentation, adding that DCF serves roughly 200,000 Vermonters annually. The committee heard a line-by-line review of proposed BAA adjustments and supporting spreadsheets posted for the record.

Megan Sweeten, DCF chief financial officer, told lawmakers that one technical request is a roughly $50,000 annual cost to procure an external earnings verification system after a free service was discontinued; the purchase is intended to improve eligibility accuracy for benefit programs. Committee members pressed for documentation supporting a separate transfer tied to ADS service-level agreements, and staff advised the Administration for Human Services (AHS) could provide further detail.

Members repeatedly flagged rising transportation costs within the Family Services Division. DCF said transportation contracts ' including secure transports, routine school and medical trips, and…