Vermont opens Good Samaritan and Shires recovery residences adding 16 beds statewide.

Incarcerated participants share powerful writings, fostering healing and connection in Vermont's prisons.

At a House Human Services hearing on S.157, residents and recovery advocates urged the committee to add disability protections, require written exit notices with appeal rights, limit removal grounds to substance use, and strengthen reporting and reengagement supports. Providers described existing reengagement beds funded by grants.

The House Human Services Committee reviewed draft 1.1 of S.157, adding a required grievance process approved by the Department of Health or an approved recovery-residence affiliate and directing rulemaking for written exit-notice timing and annual data reporting for certified recovery residences.

Valley Vista told the House Human Services Committee it has reopened a 3.1-level site with 27 licensed beds, runs Bradford at about 75 licensed beds and roughly 90% occupancy, and uses grant-funded reengagement (stabilization) beds for short stays (about 5–7 days) to prevent homelessness after relapse.

The Vermont Senate adopted a technical language amendment to S157 to align criminal‑statute phrasing and then passed the bill establishing a certification system for residential care for people with substance use disorders.

Recovery Partners of Vermont and allied witnesses told the committee rising demand and insurer/operating costs make recent one-time funds essential; they asked to level-fund recovery centers at $800,000 and defended $300,000 for recovery residences, while noting department and rural-transformation funds as possible alternatives.

On Recovery Day at the Statehouse, people with lived experience and recovery program leaders urged lawmakers to pass S.157 (clarifying landlord-tenant rules for recovery residences) and to renew or expand funding: $800,000 in prevention funds for recovery centers, $1.25M for peer coaching in corrections, and opioid-abatement support for recovery residences.

Witnesses at the House General & Housing Committee on Feb. 11 urged more investment in certified recovery residences and support for S.157, with providers asking for $1.75 million in operations funding and $200,000 for scholarships and survivors and residents telling personal stories of recovery supported by residential programs.

Recovery Partners of Vermont and affiliated providers told the Senate Institutions Committee they need renewed and new opioid‑abatement and prevention funding to sustain certified recovery residences, scholarships, and peer recovery coaching in correctional and probation settings; they also urged making S.157 (a narrow landlord‑tenant exemption) permanent to allow certified residences to operate safely.

Turning Point directors and recovery coaches told the House Corrections committee that peer recovery coaching, started in Rutland in 2016, reduces recidivism and overdose risk; they requested $1.25M in FY27 opioid-abatement funds and renewal of $800,000 in prevention funding to keep programs running statewide.

At the House Health Care Committee session, Tyler Sears, a Burlington resident in recovery, described missed medication and traumatic jail experiences and urged lawmakers to invest in 3.1 residential treatment beds, longer stays and stronger aftercare rather than incarceration.

State recovery officer Douglas Farnham told the appropriations committee Vermont has obligated its ARPA allocations but faces a constrained 2025–2026 spending window; about $96–99 million of ARPA remained unexpended as of Sept. 30 and will require careful reallocation or risk return to Treasury.

Vermont adds 40 beds in new recovery residences to support individuals in substance recovery.

Committee discusses allocation concerns and potential risks of funding private organizations.

Shanna Garchidi requests increased funding for Vermont's recovery centers to enhance community support.

Commissioner supports $800,000 funding increase for recovery centers to improve services statewide.

Vermont representatives engage with Granite State Recovery to enhance Medicaid enrollment opportunities.

Doug Farnham appointed chief recovery officer to oversee Vermont's recovery efforts post-2023 floods.

Recovery coaches foster peer support for incarcerated individuals, aiding their community reintegration and healing.

Vermont invests in recovery centers, enhancing support for individuals overcoming substance use disorders.