The federal government's dereliction allows states to fall short on meeting minimum child welfare standards. Below is information specific to Vermont:

CFSR Results Summary: In its Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) process, HHS determines whether each state is in substantial conformity with 7 specific outcomes (pertaining to the areas of safety, permanency and family and child well-being) and 7 systemic factors (relating to the quality of services delivered to children and families and the outcomes they experience).  In the first two rounds of the CFSR, HHS has concluded that Vermont was:

Round 1 (2001)

• NOT in substantial conformity with 6 of the 7 Outcomes
• NOT in substantial conformity with 2 of the 7 Systemic Factors

Round 2 (2007)   

• NOT in substantial conformity with 7 of the 7 Outcomes
• NOT in substantial conformity with 3 of the 7 Systemic Factors

Although federal law mandates that any state found not to be operating in substantial conformity during an initial or subequent review must begin a full review within two years after approval of the state's program improvement plan, HHS has announced that Vermont will not undergo Round 3 of the CFSR until FY 2015 (see CFSR Technical Bulletin #7 (March 2014)).

Documents from the U.S. Health & Human Services Children's Bureau

• Child and Family Services Review Reports and Results
  
  
  • Vermont Performance Improvement Plan (Round 2)
  • Final Report: Vermont Child and Family Services Review, 2007 (Round 2)
  • Vermont Performance Improvement Plan (Round 1)
  • Final Report: Vermont Child and Family Services Review, 2001 (Round 1)
• Title IV-E State Reports and Program Improvement Plans (PIPs)
  
  
  • Initial Primary (FY 2002)
  • PIP
  • Secondary Review (FY 2005)
  • Primary Review (FY 2008)
  • Subsequent Primary Review (FY 2011)
  • PIP
• Other Documents / Reports
  
  
  • Vermont AFCARS Assessment Review (2002)
  • Vermont section from HHS' Child Welfare Outcomes, 2009-2012, Report to Congress

Child Welfare In the News**

• In Rutland, A Wish For More Communication And Action With DCF (Includes audio)
  Vermont Public Radio - December 22, 2014
  Many in Rutland who deal with abused children say their number one wish for the coming year is better communication and a more proactive approach to protecting kids.
  
• Vermont's need for foster parents increases (Includes video)
  WCAX - December 17, 2014
  More children than ever before are entering protective services in Vermont and administrators say they need your help to properly care for all those kids.
  
• Lawmakers Seek Changes To Child Welfare System
  Vermont Public Radio - December 16, 2014
  The deaths of two children earlier this year prompted a legislative inquiry into the Vermont Department for Children and Families. And lawmakers will soon introduce legislation aimed at preventing similar tragedies in the future.
  
• Longtime Guardian Calls Child Welfare System 'Broken'
  Seven Days - December 10, 2014
  More than 1,100 Vermont children who rely on the state for protection have a little-known friend in their corner: a court-appointed guardian ad litem who can offer opinions on their cases in court. Kenn Stransky had been one such volunteer for 17 years. But he resigned last month to publicly criticize the Vermont Department for Children and Families.
  
• Commissioner Discusses Problems In Child Protection System (Broadcast at Noon)
  Vermont Public Radio - December 02, 2014
  A scathing report on Vermont's child protection systems puts a spotlight on the Department for Children and Families. The report by the Vermont Citizen's Advisory board says the state failed two toddlers who were killed this year, allegedly by family members, while under DCF supervision. We talk with the new commissioner of DCF, Ken Schatz, about what changes the state needs to make going forward. Report: http://mediad.publicbroadcasting.net/p/vpr/files/VCAB_Report_2014.pdf
  
• Vermont court guardian quits over 'broken' system
  Associated Press - November 28, 2014
  A veteran advocate for children in Vermont's court system has quit his position because of what he calls the state's "horribly broken" child protection system. Ken Stransky has served as a guardian ad litem in Essex County for 17 years. Also: Child-welfare system fails children (Opinion): http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/opinion/editorials/2014/11/30/child-protection-system-fails-children/19615845/
  
• How lawmakers hope to fix Vermont's child protection system
  WCAX - November 25, 2014
  Lawmakers proposed reforms to the state's child protection system Tuesday, but the reform authors concede new laws alone won't be enough to ensure safety.
  
• Outside report criticizes DCF handling of child deaths
  VTDigger.org - November 21, 2014
  The Department for Children and Families failed to follow its own policies and moved too quickly to reunify two children with their families when it was not safe, an outside report released Friday found. Also: Damning Report Issued on DCF in Infant Death Cases: http://www.sevendaysvt.com/OffMessage/archives/2014/11/21/damning-report-issued-on-dcf-in-infant-death-cases VT: Report: State Systems Failing To Protect Children: http://digital.vpr.net/post/report-state-systems-failing-protect-children
  
  

**news summaries taken from daily newsfeed service of HHS' Child Welfare Information Gateway