The Family Services Division (FSD) is Vermont's child welfare agency. We are responsible for making sure children and youth:
- Are safe from abuse
- Have their basic needs met
- Live in safe, supportive, and healthy environments
Our Vision
Vermont’s children and youth live free from abuse, neglect and delinquency — in resilient families that are supported and valued by their communities.
What We Do
- Operate a 24-hour Child Protection Hotline
- Investigate and assess reports of abuse and neglect
- Engage families to meet their goals to increase safety
- Seek court involvement when required to keep children and communities safe
- Supervise youth on probation and help repair harm caused by their behavior
- Identify extended family and community supports
- Support safe placements for children and youth
- License and regulate foster homes, residential treatment programs and child placing and adoptions agencies
- Achieve permanency options that are in the best interest of children and youth
- Collaborate within districts, across districts and with central office
- Partner with service providers and other state agencies
- Operate Woodside, the state’s only secure facility that serves youth exhibiting harmful behaviors
Our Strategic Plan
Our work is guided by our Strategic Plan: 2019-2021. It describes our vision, mission, values, beliefs, goals and strategies.