From the Desk of Paul Dragon, 2/4/26
At CVOEO, we believe in collaboration and transparency. That’s why every week Executive Director Paul Dragon shares a roundup of updates and initiatives to keep everyone, from our 300+ team members to the broader community we serve, informed and connected. Here’s what’s new this week!
Weekly Update:
Printable Door Signage for Public Space and Private Spaces at CVOEO Offices
We now have printable signage for doors to indicate public and private spaces. Each includes a QR code to a webpage clarifying which of our offices are public or private along with examples of the two kinds of warrants. You will also find all additional resources on our website in the link below. We encourage staff to print and display as soon as possible, including on internal and external doors.
Best Places to Work
Vermont Biz announced the Best Places to Work in Vermont 2026 awards and CVOEO has made the list for the fourth year in a row. Congratulations to all of you!
Read more: https://vermontbiz.com/news/2026/january/30/65-firms-named-best-places-work-vermont-2026
Save The Date: Poverty & Opportunity Training Forum - Compassion in Action
Bringing together Vermont’s community organizations to learn, connect and act together to solve poverty. Event details below.
- Thursday, April 9, 2026, At Lake Morey Resort, Fairlee
- Hosted by the Vermont Office of Economic Opportunity and the Vermont Community Action Partnership.
- Keynote: Ferene Paris, Founder, All Hearts Inspirations
- Early Registration for OEO Partners & VCAP will open in February.
H 594 Update: Transforming Vermont’s System of Homelessness
On February 3rd, the House Committee on Human Services continued work on H.594. Chair Wood opened the meeting with an update on where this bill is going. Wood has been meeting with AHS and described the conversations as fruitful but said there are still disagreements. There are some sticking points particularly around residency and day-to-day adverse weather shelters. Wood described these issues as nonstarters and said they will have to reach an agreement for anything else in the bill to be overcome. The committee will be working on a committee bill that looks to incorporate elements of H.91 and H.594.
- Link to the beginning of Chair Wood’s update on H.594: https://www.youtube.com/live/Hu44M3ds0tE?si=2E-xr_SwONwY245p
Alongside Chad Simmons, I testified to the committee on an alternative plan to H.594 (which can be found below). The committee was receptive to some of the ideas and showed particular interest in convertible shelters. Chair Wood indicated that she is not excited about the idea of a study to address what needs to be done to manage the crisis. Chad pushed back on this a bit explaining the importance of having information and data given the other work that HHAV is doing in House General on housing. Rep. Eastes expressed interest in having the opportunity to call everyone involved in the crisis to the table. There was some productive dialogue with Rep. Donahue on coordinated entry. At the end of discussion Rep. Eastes stated that this is a crisis during a crisis extraordinary measures are taken. He continued to say that the committee needs to hold that crisis mentality.
- Beginning of Paul and Chad’s testimony: https://www.youtube.com/live/Hu44M3ds0tE?si=xlMSxIxph0U437Or&t=1002
- Testimony on behalf of Advocates: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Workgroups/House%20Human%20Services/Bills/H.594/Witness%20Documents/H.594~Paul%20Dragon~Testimony%20on%20behalf%20of%20Advocates~2-3-2026.pdf