Joint Legislative Child Protection Oversight Committee

Print

---

Friday, September 4, 2015

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

10:00 AM

Organization of Committee

Election of Chair and Vice-Chair
Discussion of Agenda Topics
Schedule Future Meetings

10:30 AM

Committee Charge

Under Act 60

• Brynn Hare, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  

10:45 AM

Security Issues

• Keith Flynn, Commissioner, Department of Public Safety
  
• Dawn O'Toole, Chief Operating Officer, Agency of Human Services
  
• Kenneth Schatz, Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  

12:00 PM

Mandatory reporter requirements

Under V.S.A. ss 4913

• Greg Glennon, General Counsel, Agency of Education
  

12:30 PM

Lunch

1:30 PM

S.9 - An act relating to improving Vermont’s system for protecting children from abuse and neglect

Update on Implementation

• Hon. Brian Grearson, Chief Superior Judge, Office of Chief Superior Judge
  
• Cindy Walcott, Deputy Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  

2:30 PM

Best interest of the child standard

• Brynn Hare, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  

2:45 PM

Adjourn

---

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

10:00 AM

CHINS Flowchart

• Hon. Brian Grearson, Chief Superior Judge, Office of Chief Superior Judge
  
• Brynn Hare, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  

10:30 PM

SIU Notification

• Marc Metayer, SIU Grants Program Manager, Department of State's Attorneys
  
• Cindy Walcott, Deputy Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  
• Mike Warren, Director, Chittenden Unit of Special Investigation
  

11:15 AM

Worker Safety Issues

• Brynn Hare, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  
• Dawn O'Toole, Chief Operating Officer, Agency of Human Services
  
• Kenneth Schatz, Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  

12:00 PM

Lunch

1:00 PM

Act 60, Sec 20

22(b) preliminary information and recommendations
22(c) full report

• Kenneth Schatz, Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  

1:15 PM

DCF Monthly Report

• Kenneth Schatz, Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  
• Cindy Walcott, Deputy Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  

2:30 PM

Children born to opioid-dependent parents

• Anne Johnston, M.D., University of Vermont - CHARM
  
• Cindy Walcott, Deputy Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  
• Nancy Young, Director, Children and Family Futures
  

3:15 PM

Adjourn

---

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

10:00 AM

Introduction and Agenda

10:15 AM

Mandated Reporter Requirements

• Jeff Fannon, General Counsel, Vermont National Education Association
  
• Karyn Patno, MD
  

11:00 AM

Worker Safety Issues

• Daniel Despard, Senior Director, Strategic Consulting, Casey Family Programs
  
• Brynn Hare, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  
• Shannon Morton, Social Worker, Family Services Divsion, Department for Children and Families
  
• Kenneth Schatz, Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  
• Scott Williams, Washington County State's Attorney
  

12:30 PM

Lunch

1:30 PM

DCF Reports

Monthly and 22 (b)

• Kenneth Schatz, Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  

2:30 PM

Committee discussion on potential legislative changes

3:00 PM

Adjourn

---

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

10:00 AM

Agenda and Comments

10:05 AM

Worker Safety Issues

Staff Safety Committee draft policy and recommendations

• Patricia Casanova, Social Worker, Department for Children and Families-St. Albans
  
• Nancy Lynch, VSEA
  
• Shannon Morton, Department for Children and Families
  

10:25 AM

DCF Reports

Monthly and Sec. 22(b)

• Kenneth Schatz, Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  
• Cindy Walcott, Deputy Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  

11:30 AM

Mandated Reporting Training

• Sally Borden, Executive Director, KidSafe Collaborative
  
• Karen Shea, Child Protection & Field Operations Director, Department for Children and Families
  
• Cindy Walcott, Deputy Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  

11:45 AM

Justice for Children Task Force Update

• Honorable Paul Reiber, Chief Justice, Vermont Supreme Court
  

12:15 PM

Lunch

1:15 PM

Standard at Emergency Care Hearing

• Hon. Brian Grearson, Chief Superior Judge, Office of Chief Superior Judge
  
• Kenneth Schatz, Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  

1:30 PM

CHINS Workgroup Report

• Hon. Brian Grearson, Chief Superior Judge, Office of Chief Superior Judge
  
• William Sorrell, Vermont Attorney General, Attorney General's Office
  
• Matthew Valerio, Defender General, Defender General's Office
  

2:00 PM

Legislative Proposals and Committee Discussion

• Michelle Fay, Voices for Vermont's Children
  
• Brynn Hare, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  
• Kenneth Schatz, Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  

3:30 PM

Adjourn

---

Thursday, June 30, 2016

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

10:00 AM

Welcome and Introductions

• Rep. Ann Pugh, House Committee On Human Services
  

10:05 AM

Committee Charge

Under Act 60

• Brynn Hare, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  
• Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  

10:15 AM

Relevant bills overview

Appropriations funding
H. 74 - An act relating to safety policies for employees direct social or mental health services
S. 154 - An act relating to stalking, criminal threatening, and enhanced penalties for assault
S. 183 - An act relating to permanency for children in the child welfare system

• Stephanie Barrett, Associate Fiscal Officer, Joint Fiscal Office
  
• Brynn Hare, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  
• Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  
• Kenneth Schatz, Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  

11:00 AM

Mandatory Reporter Update

• Joel Cook, Director, Vermont National Education Association
  
• Holly Francis, UVM Medical Center
  
• Dianne Jabar, Director of the Central Intake & Emergency Service Unit, Department for Children and Families
  
• Kenneth Schatz, Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  

12:15 PM

Lunch

1:00 PM

H.95 - An act relating to jurisdiction over delinquency proceedings by the Family Division of the Superior Court

• Brynn Hare, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  

1:30 PM

Department for Children and Families

Monthly Report

• Cindy Walcott, Deputy Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  

2:00 PM

Organization of Committee

Discussion of Agenda Topics
Schedule Future Meetings

2:30 PM

Adjourn

---

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

10:00 AM

Mandated Reporter Requirements

When is a report required of a mandatory reporter?

• Sally Borden, Co-Chair, KidSafe Collaborative
  
• John Campbell, Executive Director, Department of State's Attorneys & Sheriffs
  
• Chuck Myers, Executive Director, Northeastern Family Institute
  
• Jill Olson, Vice President of Policy & Legislative Affairs, Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems
  
• Karen Shea, Child Protection & Field Operations Director, Department for Children and Families
  

11:30 AM

DCF Monthly Report

• Kenneth Schatz, Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  

12:00 PM

Lunch

1:00 PM

Agency of Education Restorative Justice Initiatives

• Lisa Bedinger, South Burlington Community Justice Center
  
• Lia Ernst, Attorney, American Civil Liberties Union - Vermont
  
• Jeff Fannon, General Counsel, Vermont National Education Association
  
• Amy Fowler, Deputy Secretary for Educator Quality, Agency of Education
  

2:00 PM

Mandated Reporter Requirements

Review of what other states are doing followed by public comment

• Brynn Hare, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  

2:30 PM

Adjourn

---

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

10:00 AM

Update on Mandated Reporters

• John Campbell, Executive Director, Department of State's Attorneys & Sheriffs
  
• Clayton Clark, Director, Department of Disabilities, Aging & Independent Living
  
• Kenneth Schatz, Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  
• Stuart Schurr, General Counsel, Department of Disabilities, Aging & Independent Living
  

11:00 AM

DCF Monthly Report

Including DCF reports to law enforcement as required by Act 60

• Kenneth Schatz, Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  
• Leslie Wisdom, General Counsel, Department for Children and Families
  

12:00 PM

Lunch

1:00 PM

Party Status for Foster Parents CHINS Proceedings

• Dan Boyce, President, Vermont Foster and Adoptive Family Association
  
• Hon. Brian Grearson, Chief Superior Judge, Office of Chief Superior Judge
  
• Marshall Pahl, Appellate and Juvenile Defender, Defender General's Office
  
• Kenneth Schatz, Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  
• Rep. Janssen Willhoit, Sponsor, St. Johnsbury, VT
  

2:00 PM

CHINS Working Group Update

• Ben Battles, Assistant Attorney General, Attorney General's Office
  
• Marshall Pahl, Appellate and Juvenile Defender, Defender General's Office
  

2:30 PM

Guardian Ad Litem

Improvements in the system since Act 60

• Hon. Brian Grearson, Chief Superior Judge, Office of Chief Superior Judge
  

3:00 PM

Adjourn

---

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

10:00 AM

Protecting Patient Privilege

• Melissa Belrose, Investigative Social Worker, Department for Children and Families, Family Services Division
  
• Martha Csala, Assistant Attorney General, Agency of Human Services
  
• Julie Gaudette, Vermont Children's Alliance
  
• Lauren Hibbert, Chief Prosecuting Attorney, Vermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional Regulation
  
• Steven J. Klein, Director of Legal Affairs and Assistant General Counsel, University of Vermont Medical Center
  
• Larry Novins, Counsel, Office of Professional Regulation, Secretary of State's Office
  
• Leslie Wisdom, General Counsel, Department for Children and Families
  

12:00 PM

Lunch

1:00 PM

Mandated Reporter Requirements

Presentation of draft language

• Kenneth Schatz, Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  

1:45 PM

Department for Children and Families

Monthly Report; including information on recruiting/supporting foster parents efforts

• Kenneth Schatz, Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  

2:30 PM

Committee Discussion

3:00 PM

Adjourn

---

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

10:00 AM

CHINS Report

Act 60, Section 24

• Ben Battles, Assistant Attorney General, Attorney General's Office
  
• John Campbell, Executive Director, Department of State's Attorneys & Sheriffs
  
• Hon. Brian Grearson, Chief Superior Judge, Office of Chief Superior Judge
  
• Marshall Pahl, Appellate and Juvenile Defender, Defender General's Office
  
• Kenneth Schatz, Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  

11:30 AM

The Role of Guardian Ad Litem in the Child Welfare System

• David Kennedy, Programs Manager, Guardian Ad Litem
  

12:00 PM

Lunch

1:00 PM

Impact of Opiates on the Child and Family Welfare

• Barbara Cimaglio, Deputy Commissioner, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program, Dept. of Health
  
• Kim Coe, Director, Residential and Community Treatment Programs, Lund
  
• John Merrigan, Commander, Special Investigations, Vermont State Police
  
• Karen Shea, Interim Deputy Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  

2:30 PM

Committee Discussion

3:00 PM

Adjourn

---