Vermont Agency of Human Services

03/06/2026

Capital for a Day in Essex County was a powerful reminder that community truly matters. AHS began the day by visiting Northern Counties Health Care, Inc. locations in Concord and Island Pond, where the focus is not only on primary care but also on addressing the broader health-related social needs that impact families every day.

In Island Pond, we toured the NECKA Food Shelf and got to see how critical food security is to overall health and stability. We also spent time at the Gilman Senior Center and Loch Lomond Assisted Living, where dedicated staff support older Vermonters with care and connection that helps them thrive close to home.

The agency's early childhood stops included Wild Roots Family Childcare in Guildhall and the Gilman Child and Family Development Program, Head Start operated by Northeast Kingdom Community Action. These programs are building strong foundations for children and families, even as they navigate ongoing workforce challenges.

During the day, one theme stood out: strong collaborative relationships with partner organizations and other community institutions are essential to success. When we work together, we strengthen the entire region.

Thank you to all who shared their work and welcomed us. Essex County’s resilience and commitment are inspiring.

02/24/2026

Do you know someone receiving 3SquaresVT? Recent work requirements may affect their food benefits.

If they are not currently working or participating in a training program, they should:
• Call 1-800-479-6151 to review their individual situation
• Ask about possible exemptions if they are unable to work
• Get connected to available employment or training supports

You may be able to get help meeting your employment and training goals through:
• 3SquaresVT Employment & Training Program (iCAN): https://dcf.vermont.gov/benefits/ican
• Vermont Department of Labor Workforce Development: https://labor.vermont.gov/workforce-development
• Vermont JobLink (job search): https://www.vermontjoblink.com
• HireAbility Vermont: https://www.hireabilityvt.com/

A simple phone call can make a meaningful difference. Please share to help ensure Vermonters have the information they need.

01/29/2026

Today, Secretary Jenney Samuelson (right) and the Department of Mental Health Commissioner Emily Hawes (left) joined advocates, providers, policymakers, and people with lived experience for Vermont’s 11th Annual Mental Health Advocacy Day.

This year’s theme, Together for Dignity, United for Change: Reclaiming Mental Health in Vermont, reflects a shared commitment to care that is humane, accessible, and rooted in respect. Mental health is not separate from our daily lives. It is about how we treat one another, how we design systems, and how we respond when people need support.

Thank you to Vermont Care Partners, NAMI Vermont, and the Vermont Association for Mental Health and Addiction Recovery for their leadership and partnership, and to everyone who continues to push this work forward.

12/10/2025

The Vermont Department of Mental Health is offering free, online Problem Gambling Essentials Training for mental health and substance use treatment providers.

This ten-week program begins January 13 and equips clinicians with tools to support Vermonters struggling with gambling, which affects an estimated 11,000 adults statewide. Participants who complete the course will earn 30 CEUs and become eligible for the Vermont Problem Gambling Specialist (PGS) Certificate. Certified providers can be listed as referral sources on the Vermont Gambling Helpline at no cost.

Topics include gambling basics, co-occurring disorders, assessment, ethics, harm reduction, family support, and LGBTQIA+ cultural competence. Instructors include nationally recognized experts Jody Bechtold, Dr. Lori Rugle, and Jodie Nealley, who is in long-term recovery from problem gambling.

Registration is now open. Learn more or sign up here:

Go to VTGamblingHelp.org for up-to-date information on responsible gaming and problem gambling resources in Vermont.    How do I know if I have a gambling problem?    Gambling becomes a problem when it negatively impacts any area of your life. It doesn't matter how much you've lost or won. You m...

11/18/2025

Whooping cough is still circulating in our communities, and it can be especially dangerous for infants, people with asthma, and anyone with a weakened immune system. Learn more about symptoms, vaccination, and more at www.HealthVermont.gov/whoopingcough.

11/12/2025

The Age Strong Vermont Steering Committee, led by Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging & Independent Living and the Vermont Department of Health, gathered key stakeholders on October 30 for a meeting and luncheon by the Vermont Community Foundation. DAIL Commissioner Bowen gave opening remarks to participants from: Agency of Human Services, Agency of Transportation, Agency of Commerce and Community Development, Vermont Housing Finance Agency, Vermont Housing Conservation Board, AARP, the Area Agencies on Aging, Cathedral Square, HomeShare VT, and the Vermont Association of Senior Centers and Meal Providers. The meeting focused on housing.

Age Strong Vermont’s key focus areas for Years 2-3 are housing, healthcare, and affordability. A statewide summit is planned for Spring 2026.

11/04/2025

We’re excited to share that a new Voting Accessibility Task Force has been created to help increase civic engagement and voter turnout among four communities that have historically faced barriers to voting:

• Vermonters experiencing homelessness
• People with disabilities
• Participants in the Safe at Home program
• Incarcerated individuals

This Task Force will work with both state partners and community organizations to identify barriers, set measurable goals, and strengthen relationships to make voting more accessible for all Vermonters.

By early 2026, we aim to see meaningful progress ahead of the statewide Primary and General Election.

10/24/2025

This month’s Vermont Department of Health all-staff meeting brought many of us together in person at the Waterbury State Office Complex and featured a special guest, the new Health Commissioner, Dr. Rick Hildebrant. The Agency welcomes Dr. Hildebrant to the team and is looking forward to his leadership during his tenure.

10/07/2025

The Rural Health Transformation Fund, created by H.R. 1, will invest $50 billion over five years starting in 2026 to support bold, innovative ideas that make care more accessible, higher quality, and better tailored to rural communities.

On September 15, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released the Rural Health Transformation Program Notice of Funding Opportunity. The Agency of Human Services is collaborating with state agencies and community partners to respond to this rare opportunity, and we want to hear from you. Share your thoughts, ideas, or questions through our new H.R.1/Rural Health Transformation Fund | Health Care Reform contact form. Community input is vital in shaping Vermont’s application and ensuring this funding supports the unique needs of rural Vermonters.

Learn more and share your feedback at:

What’s the Rural Health Transformation Fund? There is a major new funding opportunity on the horizon called the Rural Health Transformation Fund (RHTF), created by H.R. 1. This program sets aside $50 billion over five years—starting in 2026. The goal of the fund is to promote bold, innovative id...

09/23/2025

Vermont towns are trying something new, coordinating efforts between local law enforcement, housing, addiction treatment, mental health, and other social service groups to tackle issues like crime, homelessness, and substance misuse more holistically.

Recently, in Springfield, officers and agencies helped rehab an apartment so a single parent and five kids could move in before their housing voucher expired, keeping them from falling deeper into crisis.

It’s early days, but there are promising signs that people are getting help they might never have reached otherwise, and communities are finding ways to reduce harm rather than just reacting. Vermont has eight towns using the model currently, with hopes to expand.

Eight municipalities in Vermont have adopted "situation tables" — regular meetings of law enforcement and social services agencies that are meant to coordinate responses to intertwined social challenges, like poverty and addiction, that can sometimes lead to crime.

08/18/2025

AHS leaders had a busy and productive Capital for a Day in Windham County. Staff attended the Public Safety Roundtable with Governor Scott, toured the Vermont EMS Academy, met with staff of the Brattleboro Retreat and Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, and visited our district office staff in Brattleboro.

We had an opportunity to speak with the Town of Brattleboro about the pressures they are facing, and we heard from Rescue, Inc. and Brattleboro Memorial Hospital about their highly successful Mobile Integrated Health program, a model that brings EMS professionals into homes and neighborhoods to improve outcomes and save costs.

Secretary Samuelson took a moment to thank the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources' staff for their inter-agency collaboration on the SNAP parks pass program and walked with Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation regional manager Lauren Massieria from Hamilton Falls.

08/12/2025

With temperatures soaring, take advantage of the cooling sites map on the Vermont Department of Health’s website. You can search by town to find nearby places to cool off, and remember to confirm hours and any entry fees before you go.

Heat can cause serious illness. On very hot days, sometimes your body temperature can get dangerously high. This makes you at greater risk for serious heat illnesses.