The House Human Services Committee convened on February 28, 2025, to discuss various funding recommendations and budget allocations for the Department for Children and Families and other related services in Vermont. The meeting focused on several key areas, including child development funding, supervised visitation services, youth mentoring programs, and emergency housing resources.

The committee began by reviewing the funding history for child development services, noting an increase in base allocation from $244,000 to $505,000 in 2021, followed by additional funding through the Child Care Act in 2023. A recommendation was made for $322,444 in funding, which would still require the organization to seek over 50% of its budget through fundraising. The committee showed strong support for this recommendation, with a majority voting in favor.

Next, the discussion shifted to supervised visitation services, which had been previously managed without funding. The committee proposed a one-time allocation of $30,640 from the judiciary CHINs funds, sourced from tobacco settlement money, marking it as a high priority. This recommendation also received significant support from committee members.

The committee then addressed the need for youth mentoring services, which had not seen an increase in funding for 17 years. A request for $1 million was made, but the committee recommended $200,000, emphasizing the importance of using opioid settlement funds for prevention initiatives. The committee agreed to prioritize this funding and requested language to facilitate the transfer of funds from the health department to support these services.

In terms of emergency housing, the committee discussed a proposed budget of $30.5 million for temporary shelter, with a recommendation to maintain funding levels consistent with FY 2025. This decision was made to ensure stability during the transition to a new program outlined in H91. The committee also recommended restoring $322,000 for a 24/7 emergency housing operation, recognizing its critical role during climate emergencies.

Finally, the committee reviewed proposed reductions in general assistance funding, which included cuts to small support programs for personal needs and burials. The committee expressed concerns about these reductions and their potential impact on vulnerable populations.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the committee's commitment to addressing the needs of children and families in Vermont, with a focus on maintaining and increasing funding for essential services while navigating budget constraints. The committee plans to follow up on these recommendations in future sessions.