From the Desk of Paul Dragon, 9/25/26
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!
Office of Racial Equity and Community Inclusion – Community Ambassador Mental Health and Cost of Living Workshop
The second and final session of the Community Ambassador Mental Health and Cost of Living Pressures Workshop Series was completed this week, bringing together more than 40 community members. For some participants, this was their first opportunity to learn about the signs and symptoms that may indicate that a loved one is experiencing a mental health concern and to discuss ways to raise awareness and support those in need.
This topic is particularly important for some of the communities we serve, where mental health can be surrounded by significant stigma and taboo. The workshop series provided a safe and informative space to increase awareness, reduce stigma, and connect community members with available mental health and other supportive resources.
The sessions also created an opportunity to address other important issues affecting community well-being, including fair housing, transportation, and childcare. These are all important social determinants of health that can significantly influence an individual's and family's ability to thrive. By bringing these topics together, the Community Ambassador program continues to provide community members with practical information, resources, and connections that support health, stability, and well-being.
State Officials Visit Addison Community Action and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program
On Thursday, September 17, Vermont Department of Taxes Commissioner Bill Shouldice, Secretary of Administration Sarah Clark, Director of Taxpayer Services Justin DiVenanzo, and Principal Assistant to the Commissioner Sarah Mearhoff visited CVOEO’s Addison Community Action in Middlebury as part of the Scott Administration’s annual “Capitol for a Day” tour. ACA Director Mark Demers highlighted CVOEO’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, which provides free tax preparation to low- and moderate-income households across Addison, Chittenden, Franklin, and Grand Isle Counties. In 2025, VITA helped return more than $2.9 million to households, including over $290,000 to Addison County residents; with six trained volunteers in Middlebury, the program served 310 households—a 24% increase from the previous year. The discussion focused on expanding access by addressing transportation, awareness, and trust barriers, as well as connecting clients with services such as Financial Futures. State officials affirmed their commitment to supporting VITA, and ACA is currently seeking a part-time, seasonal Site Coordinator to recruit and train volunteers, schedule appointments, and connect clients with other CVOEO programs.
Mobile Home Program (MHP) Team Outreach to hundreds of Mobile Homes in Southwest Vermont
The MHP team is conducting its 2026 outreach to over a dozen mobile home parks in the Southeast region of Vermont (Brattleboro) from Tuesday 09/22/26 to Friday 09/25/26. This annual statewide outreach and support consists in canvassing mobile home parks and connecting with mobile home residents. This initiative helps inform MHP's programmatic approach and services by seeing and assessing communities' current environment, challenges, and needs.
Head Start Fund Day at Shelburne Museum
Champlain Valley Head Start hosted another successful Family Fun Day at Shelburne Museum on Saturday morning, September 19th. Over 35 children and adults came out to enjoy some fun family activities and then explore the museum for free. In addition to the story time, face-painting, snacks, and carousel rides, parents were invited to share their Head Start story as part of a current advocacy effort. You can watch this short video to learn more.