§ 3205. Child, Youth, and Family Advisory Council

(a) Purpose and membership. The Child, Youth, and Family Advocate shall appoint and convene an Advisory Council composed of nine stakeholders who have been impacted by child welfare services provided by the Department for Children and Families. The Advisory Council’s membership shall reflect the growing diversity of Vermont’s children and families, including individuals who are Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color, as well as with regard to socioeconomic status, geographic location, gender, sexual identity, and disability status. Members shall provide advice and guidance to the Office of the Child, Youth, and Family Advocate regarding the routine administration and operation of the Office, including providing advice and guidance to the Advocate upon request.

(b) Meetings.

(1) The Advocate shall call the first meeting of the Advisory Council to occur on or before March 15, 2023.

(2) The Advisory Council shall select a chair from among its members at the first meeting.

(3) A majority of the membership shall constitute a quorum.

(4) The Advisory Council shall cease to exist on July 1, 2028.

(c) Confidentiality. In seeking the advice and guidance of the Advisory Council, the Child, Youth, and Family Advocate shall not disclose to the Advisory Council, or any member thereof, individually identifiable information about a child or youth unless the information is already known to the public.

(d) Compensation. Members of the Advisory Council shall be entitled to per diem compensation and reimbursement of expenses as permitted under 32 V.S.A. § 1010 for not more than eight meetings annually. These payments shall be made from monies appropriated to the Office. (Added 2021, No. 129 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. July 1, 2022.)