The House Human Services Committee heard from the Vermont Network and survivors on a report that calls for sustainable statewide funding of supervised visitation programs.

Charley Lisserman, policy director for the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, told the panel that programs have been underfunded for more than 15 years, with current grants of "approximately $16,000 to $40,000 per year per program," a level Lisserman said is insufficient to sustain safe, reliable services. Lisserman said the network currently supports six independent supervised‑visitation programs and that five counties—Lemoyo, Orange, Washington, Windsor and Rutland—have no local program, forcing families to travel or rely on untrained informal supervisors.

The report, requested by lawmakers, recommends sustainable funding for statewide coordination and for the programs themselves to cover staff, training and appropriate space. Lisserman said the network conducted focus groups and some preliminary cost assessments and can return with detailed estimates; the committee will hear the Department for Children and Families (DCF) and a judge from the judiciary at a follow‑up session.

Two survivors described the real‑world consequences of the coverage gap. Katie McKenzie of Washington County said she had to act as an informal supervisor after leaving an abusive partner and lacked training or safety guidance; she urged the committee to fund a statewide system so families are not forced into risky arrangements. An anonymous witness described being placed on a multi‑year wait list, then receiving services at All About Kids in Franklin County. That witness said the program’s protocols made drop‑offs safe and allowed her child to rebuild a relationship with the father over four years.

Committee members questioned how courts account for supervised visitation in orders when a program is not available; Lisserman said courts commonly name an individual as supervisor and that 80–85% of supervised visits are directed by the court or DCF rather than purely voluntary. Members also asked about program standards, intake, staff training and safety procedures; Lisserman said the Vermont Network provides standards, recurring meetings, training and technical assistance to providers.

The committee did not take a formal funding vote on the supervised‑visitation report but directed members to review the written report and hear DCF and the judiciary the following day for additional detail and cost estimates.

The committee will reconvene tomorrow to hear agency testimony and pursue cost estimates for any recommended FY27 appropriations.