Howard Center urges steady funding and workforce supports on Mental Health Advocacy Day

Sandy McGuire, CEO of the Howard Center, testified during Mental Health Advocacy Day that designated community mental health and developmental disability agencies are a core part of Vermont’s service infrastructure and are facing rising demand and staffing pressures.

"Most people who come through our doors do not have that kind of advocate," McGuire said, describing families who rely on the agency to navigate complex systems. She told the committee the Howard Center serves "more than 19,000 Vermonters" annually and operates 24/7 services, from crisis response to housing supports.

McGuire called for stable and adequate funding so access does not depend on geography or crisis status, and for investments in recruitment, retention and competitive compensation. She also urged the committee to continue building alternatives to emergency departments for mental health crises, stressing that these investments reduce strain on law enforcement and hospitals while supporting community safety.

The committee acknowledged the testimony and thanked McGuire; no formal actions were taken during the hearing. Members said they would incorporate the testimony into broader budget and policy discussions on community mental health services.