The Department for Children and Families exists for two fundamental reasons: 1) to reduce poverty and 2) to promote the safety, well-being, and development of children. The two parts of our mission are intertwined. Although issues related to children are not limited to those in poverty, there is strong evidence that poverty exacerbates all other issues. Children from lower-income households generally have less opportunity in life, do not perform as well on standardized tests, and often experience a range of social and economic challenges throughout life.

Reducing Poverty

DCF is committed to Vermont’s goal of reducing childhood poverty by 50% in 10 years. This will require that we work with policy makers to create policy highways that provide the appropriate incentives and disincentives to lead people out of poverty. It will also require that DCF focus its programs to create opportunities for self-improvement and to provide supports which help people take advantage of those opportunities. Key to these efforts will be establishing strong, engaged relationships between workers and beneficiaries which become the basis for reinforcement and consequences.

DCF programs that impact poverty include a wide range of benefits programs, the Office of Child Support, Disability Determination Services, the Office of Ecomomic Opportunity, and our efforts with adolescents served through the Family Services Division.

Promoting the Safety, Well-Being, and Development of Children

DCF will pursue a broad range of efforts to promote the safety, well-being, and development of Vermont’s children. We will do so in partnership with a wide range of other people including schools, social services providers, doctors, law enforcement, early childhood providers, and most of all the children and families we serve. Our efforts range from promoting the healthy development of all children through high quality child care services, to addressing the needs of young children with disabilities and special needs, to supporting children and families involved in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems.

Supporting Vermonters

DCF supports over 160,000 Vermonters through a range of benefits programs. We are committed to making those services more accessible for recipients and more efficient for staff. At the same time, we will dedicate more staff resources to the intensive relationship-based services provided to 5,000-6,000 of Vermont’s highest need families.

Steve Dale, Commissioner