It’s been a hell of a start to the holiday season for the Vermont Department for Children and Families. Shortly before Thanksgiving, it ordered more than 100 Economic Services Division staff members to return to office duty. They’d been allowed to work remotely since the pandemic, but no more.

The Department put this in terms of improving service to clients. Maybe so, but (1) that’s never been much of a priority for a division notorious for its lack of communication with clients, and (2) these orders are often deployed as a way to cut headcount, as some workers opt out rather than return to the office. And there’s precious little evidence that the Scott administration puts much stock in the quality of its human service programs.

Next we have the ongoing humanitarian crisis triggered by cuts in the General Assistance Emergency Housing program. According to the folks at End Homelessness Vermont, who do a damn sight better job of keeping in touch with clients than DCF, there have been at least seven deaths among former recipients of state-aid motel vouchers. Also, at least seven others have been hospitalized for hypothermia. Many more are at severe risk of illness or death.

And now we have a change in the GA housing program that will unshelter a new set of very vulnerable recipients. Merry Christmas, everybody!

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