§ 3203. Duties and authority

(a) The Office shall:

(1) work in collaboration with relevant parties to strengthen services for children, youths, and families;

(2) analyze and monitor the development and implementation of federal, State, and local laws; regulations; and policies relating to child, youth, and family welfare and recommend changes when appropriate;

(3) review complaints concerning the actions of the Department and of any entity that provides services to children, youths, and families through funds provided by the Department; make appropriate referrals; and respond to those complaints where the Advocate determines that a child, youth, or family may be in need of assistance from the Office;

(4) support children, youths, and families by providing information about service recipients’ rights and responsibilities;

(5) provide systemic information concerning child, youth, and family welfare to the public, the Governor, State agencies, legislators, and others, as necessary; and

(6) notwithstanding 2 V.S.A. § 20(d), submit to the General Assembly and the Governor on or before December 1 of each year a report addressing services provided by the Department, including:

(A) the conditions of placements for Vermont’s children and youths;

(B) findings related to services for and assistance to children, youths, and families within the child protection and juvenile justice systems;

(C) recommendations related to improving services for children, youths, and families; and

(D) data disaggregated by race, ethnicity, gender, geographic location, disability status, and any other categories that the Advocate deems necessary.

(b) The Office may:

(1) review current systems to assess to what extent children and youths placed in the custody of the Department or who are receiving services under the supervision of the Department receive humane and dignified treatment at all times, including consideration by the Advocate as to what extent the system protects and enhances the child’s or youth’s personal dignity, right to privacy, and right to appropriate health care and education in accordance with State and federal law;

(2) address any challenges accessing information or records that are necessary for carrying out the provisions of this chapter; and

(3) as part of its annual report pursuant to subdivision (a)(6) of this section, include findings and recommendations related to other services provided to children, youths, and families. (Added 2021, No. 129 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. July 1, 2022.)