Committee on Child Protection

The Committee shall investigate and evaluate Vermont's current system of child protection for the purpose of protecting children from abuse and neglect.

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Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

CDs

14-1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Meeting Record

11:00 AM

Protecting Children from Abuse and Neglect

Chester Town Hall
556 Elm Street
Chester, VT

• Marie -, Westminster
  
• Chuck Gregory, Springfield
  
• Rebecca Kenyon, Putney
  
• Brenda LaCroix
  
• Brenda Made
  
• Bob Parker, Chester
  
• Cathy Paul, Springfield
  
• Carol Perry, Vernon
  
• Sue Willis, Chester
  

2:30 PM

Protecting Children from Abuse and Neglect

Park House Activity Room
340 Rec Park Road
Manchester, VT

• Darryl Davis, Sunderland
  
• Linda Dean-Farrarr, Sunrise
  
• Jody Dickerson, Rutland
  
• Kim Ella
  
• Sarah Merrill
  
• Rep. Mary A. Morrissey
  
• Kris O'Leary, Bennington
  
• Ann Pierce, Manchester
  
• Joshua Rome, Tinmouth
  
• Amelia Silver, Sunrise
  

6:00 PM

Protecting Children from Abuse and Neglect

Rutland High School Theater
22 Stratton Rd
Rutland, VT

• Mike Bezio
  
• Marjorie Bluth, Grand Isle
  
• Louise Forgues, Cornwall
  
• Alex Grimes, Rutland
  
• Caprice Hover, Director, Rutland Parent Child Center
  
• Ann Ingram
  
• Kirk Israel, Brandon
  
• Ben Lynch, Rutland City
  
• Linda McIntire, Rutland
  
• Craig Miller, Chester
  
• Kim Moyer
  
• Stephanie Mozzer, North Clarendon
  
• Keith Newman, Rutland
  
• Sarah Seward
  
• Thomas West, Rutland
  
• Carrie Wolcott, Rutland
  

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Thursday, June 5, 2014

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

CDs

14-6, 7, 8

Meeting Record

11:00 AM

Protecting Children from Abuse and Neglect

St. Albans Town Hall
579 Lake Road
St. Albans, VT

• Bridget Butler, St. Albans
  
• Susan Edwards, South Hero
  
• Roberta Garey, Swanton
  
• Ronald Geraw, Grand Isle
  
• Marie Gordon, Grandparent
  
• Rose Johnson, Swanton
  
• Sarah Lefebvre, Franklin
  
• Karen Maple, Bakersfield
  
• Laura Omari, St. Albans
  
• Brenda Ploof, Alburgh
  
• Katharine Raiche, Sheldon
  
• Laurie Ward, Grand Isle
  
• Marti Zelley, Fairpoint
  

2:00 PM

Protecting Children from Abuse and Neglect

O’Brien Community Center
32 Malletts Bay Avenue
Winooski, VT

• Ethan Bacon, Milton
  
• Trine Bech, Executive Director, Vermont Parent Representation Center
  
• Michele Boulet, Winooski
  
• Gale Burford, South Burlington
  
• Kimberly Clark, Burlington
  
• Kim Coe, Essex
  
• Patsy Deasy, Bakersfield
  
• Ann Dillenbeck, Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties
  
• Sarah Gallagher, Calais
  
• Betty Halpin, Essex Junction
  
• Tom Halpin, Essex Junction
  
• Joan Haslett, Essex
  
• Beth Holden, HowardCenter
  
• Lance Labier, Winooski
  
• Cyrus Patton
  
• Mark Redmond, Essex
  
• Jean Saysani, Winooski
  
• Beth Truzanski, Burlington
  
• Larry Walters, Burlington
  

5:30 PM

Protecting Children from Abuse and Neglect

Ilsley Public Library- Jessica Swift Community Meeting Room
75 Main Street
Middlebury, VT

• Donna Bailey, Co-Director, Addison County Parent Child Center
  
• Jeff Cobden, Weybridge
  
• Moe Cook, Shoreham
  
• Steve Coulman, Waltham
  
• Louise Forgues, Cornwall
  
• Gerry Guillemette, Shelburne
  
• Cheryl Huntley, Director of Children's Services, Counseling Service of Addison County
  
• Doumia Noonan, CIS Childcare Coordinator
  
• Jane Smith, Middlebury
  
• Bill Sullivan, Starksboro
  
• Willow Wheelock, Bristol
  
• Kara Zimmerman
  

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Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

CDs

14-9, 10, 11, 12

Meeting Record

11:00 AM

Protecting Children from Abuse and Neglect

St. Johnsbury Academy- Morse Theater
1000 Main Street
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819

• Cheryl Broome, Lyndonville
  
• Brian Carroll, Caledonia North Supervisory Union
  
• Rhonda Coates, South Ryegate
  
• Paul Dusseault, St. Johnsbury
  
• Nicholas Ecker-Racz, Glover
  
• Heidi Ecker-Racz, Glover
  
• Emily Hazard, Burke
  
• Renee Kelly, Sutton
  
• Wanda Lawrence, Derby
  
• Jasmine Leblanc, Barton
  
• Jenna O'Farrell, St. Johnsbury
  
• Kathryn Piper, J.D., M.Ed., PhD Candidate in Social Policy
  
• Sharon Renault, Barre
  
• Pam Smart, St. Johnsbury
  
• Cassandra Suliveres, St. Johnsbury
  

2:30 PM

Protecting Children from Abuse and Neglect

Town Hall- Meeting Room
43 Portland St
Morrisville, VT

• Paul Daniel, Franklin County
  
• Lyn-Laeh Ehrenberg, Hyde Park
  
• Jane Gandy, Morrisville
  
• Scott Johnson, Waterville
  
• Ilene Levitt, Wolcott
  
• Darlene Marrier, Montgomery
  
• Robin Martin, Cambridge
  
• Angel Mason, Calais
  
• Noah Noyes, Hyde Park
  
• Brian Schaffer, Morristown
  
• David Whitcomb, Eden
  

4:45 PM

Committee Discussion

Room 10 of the State House

• Luke Martland, Director and Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  

6:00 PM

Protecting Children from Abuse and Neglect

State House
Room 11
115 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05633

• Eric Audette, Essex Junction
  
• Eyal Barsky, South Burlington
  
• Nancy Benoit, Barre
  
• Kelly Davis-Vanzile, Georgia
  
• Lyn-Laeh Ehrenberg, Hyde Park
  
• Jane Ladue, Hinesburg
  
• Lee Lauber, Montpelier
  
• Kathy O'Brien, Montpelier
  
• Michele Pitzner, Montpelier
  
• Shelia Reed, Voices for Vermont's Children
  
• Gwen Shelton
  
• Patty Whitney, Rutland
  

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Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

CDs

14-13, 14, 15, 16, 17

Meeting Record

10:00 AM

Protecting Children from Abuse and Neglect

Department for Children and Families

• Karen Shea, Child Protection & Field Operations Director, Department for Children and Families
  
• David Yacovone, Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  

11:15 AM

Protecting Children from Abuse and Neglect

DCF Rutland District Office

• Lynne Klamm, Interim District Director, Department for Children and Families-Rutland
  
• David Yacovone, Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  

12:15 PM

Lunch

1:00 PM

Protecting Children from Abuse and Neglect

Vermont State Police
DS & PG – DCF Investigation Report

• James Cruise
  
• Colonel Tom L'Esperance, Director, State Police
  

2:30 PM

Protecting Children from Abuse and Neglect

Police and Department Chiefs

• James Baker, Chief of Police, Rutland City Police Department
  
• Steve McQueen, Chief of Police, Winooski Police Department
  
• Kenneth Schatz, General Counsel, Agency of Human Services
  
• Michael E. Schirling, Chief of Police, Burlington Police Department
  

3:30 PM

Protecting Children from Abuse and Neglect

State's Attorneys

• Marc Brierre, State's Attorney, Rutland County
  
• T.J. Donovan, Vermont State's Attorney, Chittenden County State's Attorneys
  
• Jim Hughes, Vermont State's Attorney, Franklin County State's Attorney
  

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Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

CDs

14-18, 19, 20

Meeting Record

10:00 AM

Protecting Children from Abuse and Neglect

• William Sorrell, Vermont Attorney General, Attorney General's Office
  

11:00 AM

Protecting Children from Abuse and Neglect

• Karen Shea, Child Protection & Field Operations Director, Department for Children and Families
  
• David Yacovone, Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  

12:15 PM

Lunch

1:00 PM

Protecting Children from Abuse and Neglect

Invitation to hear from DCF employees

• Doug Racine, Secretary, Agency of Human Services
  
• Kenneth Schatz, General Counsel, Agency of Human Services
  
• David Yacovone, Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  

3:00 PM

Committee Discussion

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Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

CDs

14-21, 22, 23, 24

Meeting Record

10:00 AM

Protecting Children from Abuse and Neglect

Overview of Mandatory Reporting

• Jim Forbes, Director, Residential Licensing & Special Investigations, Department for Children and Families
  
• Noah Noyes, M. Ed., licensed professional educator
  

10:30 AM

Protecting Children from Abuse and Neglect

Testimony from Medical Providers

• Dr. Louis DiNicola, M.D., Gifford Medical Center
  
• Amelia Hopkins, M.D., Fletcher Allen Health Care
  
• Anne Johnston, M.D., Associate Professor of Pediatrics, University of Vermont & Vermont Children’s Hospital
  

12:00 PM

Protecting Children from Abuse and Neglect

Testimony from Educators and Day Care Providers

• Kay Curits, Director, Happy Hands: A School for Little People, Brattleboro- Child Care Center
  
• Maureen Danielzick, Executive Director, Trinity Children's Center- Preschool
  
• Josh Edelbaum, MSW, Fatherhood Coordinator, VNA Family Room
  
• Jo-Anne Unruh, Executive Director, Vermont Council of Special Education Administrators
  

12:30 PM

Lunch

1:00 PM

Protecting Children from Abuse and Neglect

Department for Children and Families Staff Testimony

• Chelsea Aiken, MSW, Social Worker, Investigation & Assessment Unit, Department for Children and Families- Burlington
  
• Tracey Brown, MSW, Social Worker, Intake Unit, Department for Children and Families-Burlington
  
• Patricia Casanova, MSW, Social Worker, Investigation & Assessment Unit, Department for Children and Families-St. Albans
  
• Alyssa Dawson, MSW, Social Worker, Investigation & Assessment Unit, Department for Children and Families-Burlington
  
• Adam Frowine, MSW, Ongoing Social Worker, Department for Children and Families- Burlington
  
• Kerrie Johnson, MSW, Former Social Worker, Former Senior Social Worker in Central Intake and Emergency Services Unit, Department for Children and Families
  
• Nancy Miller, Social Services Supervisor, Department for Children and Families-Burlington
  
• Shannon Morton, MSW, Intake and Assessment Social Worker, Department for Children and Families-Burlington
  
• Karen Reynolds, MSW, Social Worker, Department for Children and Families- Middlebury
  
• Neysha Stuart, MSW, Social Services Supervisor, Department for Children and Families- Barre
  

3:30 PM

Adjourn

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Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

CDs

14-25, 26, 27, 28, 29

Meeting Record

10:00 AM

Protecting Children from Abuse and Neglect

Testimony from Superior Court Judges assigned to the Family Division

• Nancy Corsones, Superior Court Judge, Rutland Family Division
  
• Amy Davenport, Chief Administrative Judge
  
• Thomas Devine, Superior Court Judge, Chittenden Family Division
  
• Brian Grearson, Superior Court Judge, Washington Criminal Division
  
• Katherine Hayes, Superior Court Judge, Windham Family Division
  
• Kathleen Manley, Superior Court Judge, Caledonia, Orleans and Essex Counties
  
• Walter Morris, Superior Court Judge (retired)
  

12:00 PM

Lunch

1:00 PM

Protecting Children from Abuse and Neglect

DCF Staff Testimony

• Laurie Bland, Social Worker, Investigation and Assessment Unit, Department for Children and Families-Rutland
  
• Chris Lazar, Ongoing Social Worker, Department for Children and Families-Burlington
  
• Beth Sausville, District Director, Department for Children and Families- Bennington
  

2:15 PM

Protecting Children from Abuse and Neglect

Testimony from Guardians ad Litem

• Kathy Elkins, Guardian ad Litem, Lamoille County
  
• Matthew Garcia, Guardian ad Litem, Windsor County
  
• Sandra Hack, Guardian ad Litem, Windsor County
  
• Mary Hayden, Manager, Guardian ad Litem Program
  
• Susan Hong, Guardian ad Litem, Chittenden County
  
• Wendy Loomis, Director, Child First Vermont
  
• Jo Perreault, Guardian ad Litem, Washington County
  
• Laura Schaller, Guardian ad Litem, Washington County
  
• Karen Shea, Child Protection & Field Operations Director, Department for Children and Families
  

4:00 PM

Adjourn

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Thursday, September 11, 2014

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

CDs

14-30, 31, 32A, 32B, 33

Meeting Record

10:00 AM

Protecting Children from Abuse and Neglect

State Attorneys and Special Investigation Units

• Julie Gaudette, Director, Windsor County Special Investigation Unit
  
• Erica Marthage, State's Attorney, Bennington County
  
• Kerry McDonald-Cady, Deputy State's Attorney, Windham County
  
• Martha Neary, Interviewer, Windsor County Special Investigation Unit
  

11:30 AM

Protecting Children from Abuse and Neglect

Defender General, Juvenile Defender and Public Defenders

• Matthew Valerio, Defender General, Office of the Defender General
  

12:30 PM

Lunch

1:30 PM

Protecting Children from Abuse and Neglect

Vermont Bar Association

• Pam Marsh, Chair, Juvenile Law Section, Vermont Bar Association
  

2:00 PM

Protecting Children from Abuse and Neglect

• Harry Chen, Acting Secretary, Agency of Human Services
  
• Luke Martland, Director and Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  
• Kenneth Schatz, Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  
• Cindy Walcott, Deputy Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  

4:00 PM

Adjourn

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Thursday, September 25, 2014

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

CDs

14-34, 35, 36, 37

Meeting Record

10:00 AM

Protecting Children from Abuse and Neglect

• Amy Davenport, Chief Administrative Judge
  
• Brynn Hare, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  
• Luke Martland, Director and Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  
• Cindy Walcott, Deputy Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  

12:15 PM

Lunch

1:15 PM

Protecting Children from Abuse and Neglect

• Brynn Hare, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  
• Luke Martland, Director and Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  

3:45 PM

Future Meeting Planning

4:00 PM

Adjourn

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Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

CDs

14-38, 39, 40, 41

Meeting Record

10:30 AM

Protecting Children from Abuse and Neglect

• Cindy Nutting, Co-Coordinator, Recovery Coach, Kingdom Recovery Center
  

11:15 AM

Protecting Children from Abuse and Neglect

• Kerri Duquette-Hoffman, WomenSafe
  
• Sarah Kenney, Public Policy Coordinator, VT Network Against Domestic & Sexual Violence
  
• Meg Brooks Kuhner, Circle
  
• Kris Lukens, Voices Against Violence
  
• Jane Ralph, Clarina Howard Nichols Center
  
• Ikey Spear, Women Helping Battered Women
  
• Abby Tassel, WISE of the Upper Valley
  

12:45 PM

Protecting Children from Abuse and Neglect

• Brynn Hare, Legislative Counsel
  
• Brynn Hare, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  
• Luke Martland, Director and Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  
• Luke Martland, Director and Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  
• John Treadwell, Assistant Attorney General, Attorney General's Office
  
• Cindy Walcott, Deputy Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  

12:30 PM

Lunch

3:15 PM

Future Meeting Planning

3:30 PM

Adjourn

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Thursday, October 23, 2014

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

CDs

14-42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47

Meeting Record

10:00 AM

Protecting Children from Abuse and Neglect

• Sheila Duranleau, Policy and Operations Manager, Family Services, Department for Children and Families
  
• Brynn Hare, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  
• Luke Martland, Director and Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  

12:00 PM

Lunch

1:00 PM

Protecting Children from Abuse and Neglect

• Amy Davenport, Chief Administrative Judge
  
• Sheila Duranleau, Policy and Operations Manager, Family Services, Department for Children and Families
  
• Brynn Hare, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  
• Luke Martland, Director and Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  
• Sara Puls, Appellate and Juvenile Defender, Office of the Defender General
  

3:30 PM

Protecting Children from Abuse and Neglect

4:00 PM

Adjourn

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Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

CDs

14-48, 49, 50

Meeting Record

10:00 AM

Protecting Children from Abuse and Neglect

12:00 PM

Lunch

4:00 PM

Adjourn

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