Vermont State Youth Council urges lawmakers to expand mental-health supports, education reforms and seek state funding
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Summary
Youth members of the Vermont State Youth Council told the Senate Committee on Government Operations they want an inpatient eating-disorder facility for minors, excused mental-health days, expanded school-based services, climate and composting incentives, lower-age local voting options, and a $140,000 state appropriation to replace vulnerable federal funds.
Members of the Vermont State Youth Council told the Senate Committee on Government Operations on Feb. 11 that lawmakers should prioritize mental-health services for young people, revise aspects of the education reform law, support climate stewardship, and provide state funding to replace federal grants that the council says are at risk.
The council, which the youth said was founded by Legislative Act 109 in 2022 and now includes 27 members across five subcommittees, presented a package of recommendations to the committee. Aidan Norman, identified in testimony as the council chair, said the council is aligning its work to the legislative biennium so recommendations can be advanced as bills. "Vermont State Youth Council is a group that now has 27 youth from all walks of life from ages 11 to 18," Norman said.
Why it matters: Council members asked for policy changes that would directly affect schools and youth services statewide, from creating inpatient treatment capacity for eating disorders to changing school schedules and staff complements. They also sought a short-term funding guarantee from the state so the council can continue to operate and to avoid federal restrictions on programming and speech.
Mental-health proposals and capacity: Claire Zannstra, chair of the Youth Mental Health Committee, urged the General Assembly to "pass legislation to have an inpatient eating-disorder facility built within the state that accepts people from the ages of 11 to 17." She said, if building a facility is not achievable this biennium, the state should help expand an existing outpatient center in Burlington to accept younger patients. The mental-health committee also recommended excused mental-health days for students — three per semester for middle and high school students and five per semester for students with a documented clinical diagnosis — with limits on consecutive use and an expectation that missed work be completed.
School supports and curriculum: Youth with the education and equity committees called for required financial-literacy and life-skills classes, expanded access to alternative learning pathways such as tech centers, and more specialized staff in schools, including more paraeducators and student assistance providers (SAPs). Testimony described SAPs as prevention-focused, student-centered roles distinct from counselors; a youth witness said there are "less than 50 student assistance providers in schools in Vermont," and warned many schools share or lack that role entirely.
Equity recommendations included a statewide model curriculum and policies on racial equity, stronger reporting options for bias incidents (written/drop-boxes or email), and restorative-justice approaches alongside disciplinary responses.
Climate and community proposals: The council's climate representative, Stan Stern, urged tax incentives and operational supports to expand composting access — including giving compost to businesses and residents, creating a statewide map of drop-off locations and supporting youth stewardship programs such as trail work and conservation projects.
Voting age, health coverage and 'raise the age': Elizabeth Bailey, youth-voice chair, recommended a nonbinding resolution allowing municipalities to extend local voting rights to 16- and 17-year-olds, an expansion of eligibility under Vermont's Dr. Dynasaur program (the testimony referenced extending coverage up to age 26), and urged the legislature to proceed with the July 1, 2027 implementation date in Act 4 to "raise the age." "This resolution would provide youth with a direct voice in local government," Bailey said.
Funding request and next steps: Marmoni Valdevo, vice chair of the council, requested that the General Assembly replace current federal funding with a $140,000 state appropriation in fiscal year 2027 to ensure the council's operations, citing $47,000 for expenses plus venue and mileage reimbursements and administrative support. Committee staff confirmed that the $140,000 request is not in the governor's recommended budget and that the council's current funds sit in federal accounts rather than the general fund. Nicole Miller, identified for the record as an executive director on the witness list, said the council "has not lost its funding yet" but staff are concerned about potential federal changes and restrictions and are monitoring the situation.
Committee reaction and outreach: Senators thanked the council and encouraged members to share materials and meet regularly with local legislators. Committee members expressed support for the mental-health and equity proposals and suggested working with sponsors to introduce bills or amendments. The council said it will hold additional hearings and provide its recommendations at the start of the next biennium to allow time for bill drafting and legislator engagement.
What happens next: No formal votes or committee actions were recorded during the testimony. Committee members suggested staff follow up and encouraged the council to work with legislators to draft language; the committee took a short recess and prepared for the next witness.
