Domestic-violence network seeks $250,000 to sustain supervised visitation programs

Charlie Glyman, policy director at the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, told the Senate committee that supervised visitation programs are chronically underfunded and that closures have already occurred. He said the House budget included a one-time $130,000 appropriation, and the Network requests at least $250,000 in general funds to prevent further program closures and expand access in underserved areas.

Glyman described supervised visitation as "a safe structured setting where a parent can have monitored time with their child" that courts and DCF order when safety concerns exist. He urged the committee to continue the conversation with DCF and the judiciary and to use the legislature's report on program challenges as a foundation for the appropriation.