VCAB is a citizen review panel on DCF policies, practices and procedures related to child protection.
Vermont must have a citizen review panel to get federal Child Abuse Prevention & Treatment Act funds.
Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act
Board Membership
Membership
Pursuant to federal law, members broadly represent the community and include people with expertise in the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect. There should be no less than 10 and no more than 25 members at any given time. DCF staff are not voting members and may not be considered for any board position, such as chair or co-chair.
Annual Reports
VCAB Annual Report 2019-2020
VCAB Annual Report 2017-2018
Meetings & Governance
Bylaws
The Board meets quarterly to discuss a broad variety of issues related to child protection in Vermont. Meetings are scheduled for the first Wednesday of March, June, September and December from 9:00 to 12:00 noon unless otherwise stated.
Review of Specific Cases
When appropriate, VCAB may be asked to review specific cases, including child fatalities that involve maltreatment.
This happened in 2014 when, following the deaths of Dezirae Sheldon and Peighton Geraw, the Governor authorized VCAB to thoroughly review both cases to determine whether child protection workers at DCF and other involved agencies followed existing policies and procedures, whether existing policies and procedures were adequate and what other observations they could offer.
VCAB's 2014 Report
DCF's Response to VCAB's Report
Board Contacts
VCAB Co-Chairs:
Sally Borden, Executive Director
KidSafe Collaborative
45 Kilburn Street, Burlington VT 05401
(802) 863-9626, sallyb@kidsafevt.org
James Metz, MD, Assistant Professor
Pediatrics, Child Abuse Medicine
University of Vermont Children’s Hospital
111 Colchester Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401
(802) 847-8200 • James.Metz@UVMHealth.org • UVMHealth.org/Childrens
DCF Contact:
Luciana DiRuocco, Executive Staff Assistant/Public Information Officer
Department for Children and Families, Commissioner's Office
280 State Drive, HC 1 North, Waterbury, VT 05671-1080
(802) 241-0929, luciana.DiRuocco@vermont.gov
