Budget adjustment adds one-time funds for provider stabilization, child‑support IT planning and child welfare system work
January 18, 2025 | Appropriations, SENATE, Committees, Legislative , Vermont
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The administration presented multiple one‑time appropriations and technical reclassifications to the Senate Appropriations Committee, including contingency money for provider stabilization, planning funds for child‑support IT replacement, and adjustments to child welfare system appropriations.
Commissioner Adam Gresham and finance staff described a $4 million contingency in the governor’s recommended bill intended to provide short‑term sustainability funding for mental‑health and substance‑use residential treatment providers that are at risk of closure. Gresham said the administration requested that House Appropriations increase that contingency to $10 million after additional needs were identified. He described that appropriation as a case‑by‑case reserve for providers that “need help and may not be able to continue unless they receive support,” not as a new standing program.
The administration also proposed a planning appropriation for the Department for Children and Families Office of Child Support: $340,000 in general fund matched by $660,000 in federal funds to support transition planning to move the child‑support management system off an existing mainframe. The presenter described the appropriation as funding planning work rather than implementation.
Another item moves $1.8 million in a base appropriation into a one‑time contingency for the comprehensive child welfare information system (CCWIS) to keep related contracting and payments in a single one‑time bucket for project management reasons.
Administration staff also described a $4.02 million global commitment one‑time appropriation tied to the hospital AHEAD model; that line represents both state and federal match, and staff explained the duplicated‑appropriation presentation on the worksheet. Committee members asked about contract timing for hospital participation; staff offered to provide specific dates after the hearing.
These one‑time appropriations and reclassifications are procedural components of the proposed BAA; presenters characterized several as technical moves to align appropriations with implementation needs and to provide contingency funds for providers facing financial distress.
Commissioner Adam Gresham and finance staff described a $4 million contingency in the governor’s recommended bill intended to provide short‑term sustainability funding for mental‑health and substance‑use residential treatment providers that are at risk of closure. Gresham said the administration requested that House Appropriations increase that contingency to $10 million after additional needs were identified. He described that appropriation as a case‑by‑case reserve for providers that “need help and may not be able to continue unless they receive support,” not as a new standing program.
The administration also proposed a planning appropriation for the Department for Children and Families Office of Child Support: $340,000 in general fund matched by $660,000 in federal funds to support transition planning to move the child‑support management system off an existing mainframe. The presenter described the appropriation as funding planning work rather than implementation.
Another item moves $1.8 million in a base appropriation into a one‑time contingency for the comprehensive child welfare information system (CCWIS) to keep related contracting and payments in a single one‑time bucket for project management reasons.
Administration staff also described a $4.02 million global commitment one‑time appropriation tied to the hospital AHEAD model; that line represents both state and federal match, and staff explained the duplicated‑appropriation presentation on the worksheet. Committee members asked about contract timing for hospital participation; staff offered to provide specific dates after the hearing.
These one‑time appropriations and reclassifications are procedural components of the proposed BAA; presenters characterized several as technical moves to align appropriations with implementation needs and to provide contingency funds for providers facing financial distress.
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