Voices 2021 Legislative Priorities: Crossover Update

The crossover deadline in the legislature is typically the last day for a bill to be voted on and passed by the chamber in which it is introduced in order for it to continue on and be considered by the opposite legislative body, although exemptions can be made. Although crossover is a meaningful point in the legislative process, passage out of a chamber doesn't guarantee that a bill will make it into law. It is also a time for advocates to take stock of the progress of our legislative priorities and consider the work that lies ahead for the duration of the session and beyond.

H.265, Office of Child, Youth, and Family Advocate

The long-form version of the bill has been drafted and was released today.  In this version, the name of the Office has been changed to the Office of Child, Youth, and Family Advocate, in recognition of the needs of all individuals engaged with the child protection system and the important role families play in the children’s lives and well-being.  This bill was modeled after the NH statute, which Voices supports. Vermont’s OCYFA will center children and establish a credible review process for Vermont’s child protection and juvenile justice systems.  This bill sets the OCYFA by maintaining both independence and impartiality while ensuring immediate access to records and people.  While the bill will still be debated, Voices is pleased to see that H.265 reflects the research and expertise of impacted people, advocates,  legislators, other states, and individuals with experience in this field.  Voices looks forward to continuing to advocate for this bill as it works its way through the Legislature this session. 

Actions you can take:

1. Learn about OCYFA Bill and why it matters. Use this link to access all of the documents pertaining to the OCYFA within the House Human Services Committee, and visit Voices’ OCA page for more resources and information.

2. Thank House Human Services committee members for their advocacy and work on this bill. 

3. Sign up to stay apprised of news and opportunities to get involved.

4. Contact your Legislators and ask them to support the OCYFA.

H. 106 Community Schools Act

According to the Coalition for Community Schools, “a community school is both a place and a set of partnerships between the school and other community resources. Its integrated focus on academics, health and social services, youth and community development and community engagement leads to improved student learning, stronger families and healthier communities.” 

Across time and place, community schools in the U.S. have emerged as a framework or strategy to tackle inequities that disadvantage children inside and outside of school and build on the unique assets of their students, families and communities.

There are community school models like  Molly Stark School in Bennington that offer wrap-around services to students in coordination with health and human service providers to address health needs and to mitigate the impacts of poverty and trauma. There are community schools like  Oakland International High School  that integrate language and community in curriculum and highlights place-based learning, integration of community and family cultures, and literacy. And there are schools like Roses In Concrete Community School, that focus on child well-being and as a hub for community organizing and engagement, place-based learning and action, building power with the community and directly confronting injustice. These models highlight how a community school framework can be responsive to their communities and students.

Through three-year demonstration grants, H. 106 creates the opportunity for up to 10 Vermont school districts, with their communities, to design a community school framework. The bill outlines four key pillars of this framework: integrated student supports; expanded and enriched learning opportunities; active family and community engagement; and collaborative leadership and practices.  We support including pillars that focus on more equitable academic outcomes and programs, services, and restorative practices that focus on building and maintaining relationships. 

Today H.106 passed its second reading on a voice vote. The final vote on the bill will be tomorrow, and Voices supports its passage. 

Actions you can take: 

1. Engage with the ongoing conversation about community schools in the legislature and in your community, and stay tuned for more opportunities to participate if the bill makes it to the Senate! 

H.134 Paid Family and Medical Leave 

Bills were introduced in both the House and the Senate, with the House version (H.134) closely matching the FaMLI coalition’s criteria for a universal, equitable, public program. The bill attracted over 70 co-sponsors, however leadership in both chambers signaled early in the session that the issue is unlikely to receive any attention this year. 

During the off-session we’ll uplift the need for action on this priority for Vermont families, both to the legislature and Governor Scott, whose previous opposition to an equitable, universal benefit has effectively blocked Vermonters from access to this benefit. Gov. Scott has shown the ability to change his position with the addition of new information; certainly, the pandemic has made the case that every person in the workforce should have access to job-protected paid leave to recover from illness, welcome a new child, or care for an ill family member.

Actions you can take: 

1. The coalition is collecting stories from Vermonters about the impact that either having or not having paid family and medical leave has had on their health and economic security. You can tell your story here.

Reach Up

We were encouraged by early interest in Reach Up this year from the House Human Services Committee. Representatives Taylor Small and Jessica Brumsted are the new point people on this policy area, and they spent considerable time and effort to learn about the program and the consequences of its perpetual under-funding. Unfortunately, House Appropriations voted against the modest increase proposed by the policy committee. There is agreement that the influx of emergency rental housing assistance funds through COVID relief means that any Reach Up household that needs housing assistance will get it, and we understand that DCF will minimize administrative eligibility burdens as much as possible. 

Given the clear need to build understanding about the importance of sufficient income for healthy child development, and the role that TANF programs play in this given the structural deficiencies in the American economy, Voices is working with legislative champions and national partners to present a briefing on basic income assistance on April 7th. We’ll share details as the date approaches.

Actions you can take: 

1. Thank the House Human Services committee members for their advocacy, 

2. Communicate your support for an increase in basic assistance for Vermont’s most economically disadvantaged families to your legislator.