From the Desk of Paul Dragon, 8/6/26
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:
Statewide Benefit Assister Initiative Funded
Vermont's FY2027 budget legislation, Act 144 of 2026, establishes and funds a $3.5 million statewide network of trained Benefit Assisters to help Vermonters enroll in and maintain access to Medicaid and SNAP (3SquaresVT) benefits. The initiative is designed to ensure that eligible individuals and families, particularly vulnerable populations, can receive assistance through trusted community organizations across the state. As part of this statewide effort, community-based organizations will provide outreach, application assistance, renewals, and ongoing support to help Vermonters navigate increasingly complex federal benefit requirements. The program emphasizes local access, helping people receive assistance through organizations they already know and trust.
CVOEO helped lead this statewide initiative with other Community Action agencies and will be hiring one Benefit Assister position to support residents throughout our service area. This new role will help ensure that individuals and families can successfully access and retain critical food and health care benefits while strengthening CVOEO's commitment to helping people achieve economic security and well-being.
Burlington Forward Resolution and CVOEO’s Response
CVOEO submitted a letter to the Burlington City Council regarding the Burlington Forward resolution. While CVOEO did not speak at the Council meeting, the letter was referenced several times by Council members during the discussion. Please see the Resolution and CVOEO response attached.
https://mynbc5.com/article/one-hundred-vermonters-city-council-burlington-forward/73339367
Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak also noted that she is seeking to meet with Governor Phil Scott to develop a state-level plan to address homelessness.
Risk Management Work
The Risk Management Committee met last month and has developed a Critical Incident Report for use across all CVOEO programs. The form will support clear and timely reporting, help track incident trends, and provide data to inform policy decisions and future trainings that reduce organizational risk.
The form and accompanying guidance will be available to staff soon. The next step is to identify Health and Safety Officers for each CVOEO site. These officers will help ensure evacuation plans and safety procedures remain current and will coordinate annual drills. I am grateful for the insight and expertise of staff who continue to strengthen safety and reduce risk across our programs.
Head Start in the News
Our Addison County Head Start Program was featured in the news this week. Congratulations to Chrissy for representing the program so well in the interview.
https://www.mynbc5.com/article/addison-county-headstart-expands-childcare-program/73304790
Warmth Program Update
As we look back on the 2025–2026 heating season, the Warmth Program continues to show why flexible, emergency-based support matters so much for Vermont households. With seasonal and crisis fuel benefits arriving later in the year and household costs rising, Warmth often served as the bridge that kept families safely housed and heated when no other immediate resource was available.
Across Vermont, Community Action Agencies used donated Warmth funds to respond quickly to heating emergencies, support households over income for other programs, and connect people with longer-term resources such as utility discounts, fuel assistance, weatherization, and food support. This season, the CAAs raised about $474,073, spent about $465,309, served 1,503 unduplicated households, and provided 1,755 total assists. I am grateful to the staff, donors, energy partners, and community members who make this program possible each year.
“A woman living in an RV/Camper on a friend’s land. She is 73 and her husband passed away last year. She is not eligible for Crisis Fuel as her home, while immobile on the friend’s land, does not fit the criteria as a permanent structure. We relied on Warmth to get her some propane for the heating system in the RV. She will stay warm.”
Utility Discount Programs Update
Utility discount programs continue to be an important year-round support for households working to manage energy costs. Green Mountain Power and Vermont Gas offer Energy Assistance Program discounts of 25% and 20%, respectively, while Burlington Electric Department provides a 12.5% monthly discount for income-eligible customers. These savings help families stretch limited budgets and reduce the pressure of high utility costs.
Community Action staff also help households access these programs quickly when a disconnection is pending, including expedited EAP applications and Green Mountain Power’s expanded arrearage forgiveness option for eligible customers. In addition, VLITE funding provided critical support this season by supplementing Warmth and helping clients facing electric disconnects across Vermont. Together, these programs are practical tools that reduce utility costs, resolve emergencies, and help families remain safely connected.
NorthWest Family Foods – Food Drive
Lisa coordinated a food drive with Danform Shoes in St. Albans to support NorthWest Family Foods, collecting 535 pounds of food for the community. Thank you to Lisa and Danform Shoes for helping strengthen this important local resource.