April 2026

The Root Calls for supporting Vermont’s children and families through investment in community and healing, not confinement.

The Root Social Justice Center responds to the State of Vermont’s $21.5 million contract with Abraxas and calls for a shift away from congregate care, and reliance on law enforcement systems, toward community-based solutions that keep children safe, supported, and connected.

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Our statement.

The Root Social Justice Center affirms its ongoing commitment to ensuring justice, care, and dignity for all children and youth in Vermont, especially those impacted by systems of DCF custody. We understand from recent articles in the Brattleboro Reformer and WCAX that the Department for Children and Families, Family Services Division has recently signed a multi‑year, 21.5 million dollar contract with the Cornell Abraxas Group to operate a new crisis‑stabilization program for youth in DCF custody in Brattleboro designed to serve children ages 10–18 who require short‑term support. 

While the Root acknowledges the need for immediate placement support, we remain opposed to models of congregate care for children and youth in DCF custody that include or are connected to law enforcement in any capacity and facilities that have a known history of abusing children. We are particularly concerned that this investment in congregate care places children at the Sheriff’s office in Brattleboro. Though Deputy Commissioner Aryka Radke emphasizes the Sheriff has nothing to do with the program other than leasing the space, this type of setting, even when intended for stabilization, can replicate institutional dynamics that isolate young people from their families, communities, and opportunities for healing outside of confinement. 

The Cornell Abraxas Group, an affiliate of Abraxas Youth and Family Services is currently under scrutiny for its documented history of allegations of staff abuse towards children in one of their facilities in Pennsylvania.The Abraxas affiliate, Abraxas Alliance agreed to a $9 million federal grant to hold up to 30 unaccompanied migrant children deemed dangers to themselves. We know from statewide data that Vermont’s Department for Children and Families currently directs only 2 % of its child welfare budget toward prevention, while the overwhelming share goes toward expensive out-of-home care. This investment imbalance means that many families do not get the help they need before things reach crisis levels. The Root calls on the Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF) and our state’s policymakers to pursue and expand effective, non‑residential solutions that truly meet the needs of children and youth in DCF custody. This includes: 

  • Strengthening in‑home support and preventive resources so children can remain safely with their families and in their communities whenever possible; 

  • Investing in trauma‑informed community programs that address underlying needs rather than creating new placements; 

  • Increasing support networks for families — including culturally responsive services and advocacy — that help prevent entry into the custody system; and 

  • Ensuring that oversight, accountability, and meaningful youth and family voice are central to any care model that directly impacts children. 

We urge DCF to prioritize solutions grounded in community care, dignity, and justice — not just temporary stabilization — as part of a larger commitment to transformative change for young people in our state. The Root remains ready to work collaboratively with policymakers, advocates, and impacted families to develop alternatives that keep children safe, supported, and connected to the communities they call home.

Information on DCF, Abraxas and why we care!

This is information that we understand to be true at this time

Our concerns about DCF’s congregate care programs and partners are not new. This is more information on the topic that you are encouraged to review and utilize while writing your letters and calling legislatures.

    • DCF claims they are in a crisis of not having beds/placements for youth in DCF custody and responded with short term crisis stabilization, despite ties to institutional harm.  

    • DCF issued a Request For Proposals (RFP), we noted that many community based organizations, including ours, never received outreach or notice of this RFP.

    • In 2023 The Department of Children and Families (DCF) partnered with the Windham County Sheriff's Department to “temporarily” house youth in DCF custody without housing placements.

    • DCF lacked transparency and publicly accessible information on the development and operations of Rest Stop.

    • DCF has not been 100% forthcoming or honest about staffing and additional aspects of the program operations.

      • Claimed facilities were not staffed by police nor would the police interact with youth in DCF custody directly. However, staffing data revealed police officers had been tasked with monitoring youth placed at “rest stop” on various occasions.

      • Rest Stop is an unlicensed 2 bedroom facility using the same main entrance as the sheriff's department with a secondary entrance inside. 

    • In 2024 Y4C held a meeting aimed to center youth voices with community and DCF representatives present. 

      • Youth and community expressed concerns over youth in DCF custody being placed in facilities on police property. Youth expressed a desire for DCF to invest in securing/building alternative housing off police property with more trauma informed staffing and resources.

      • A top juvenile justice DCF Representative present at that meeting stated DCF was aware that housing youth on police property would be traumatic for reasons youth and community members named in our meetings but claimed they didn’t have better alternatives available at the time. 

    • In 2025 DCF secured a 21.5 Million dollar sole source contract with Abraxas for the next 5 years to be the provider in the Windham County Sheriff's Office building space.

    • DCF signed this contract after Abraxas had a license revoked in the fall of 2025  license Inspection Summary

    • Similar to “Rest Stop” DCF claims to have issued a Request For Proposals and received limited interest and/or proposals to their request. 

      • Again organizations such as ours were not made aware of this RFP

      • A DCF representative stated Abraxas was the only organization that submitted a proposal that DCF considered acceptable and capable of handling youth that DCF deemed to have particularly complex or urgent needs.

    • Abraxas was affiliated with geogroup international prison company (The GEO Group - Official Website)

    • 1.5 million for construction was allotted by the state (unsure of direct source) 

    • Funding agreements will allow DCF to receive large sums of state funding on a monthly basis regardless of if youth are housed in their facilities or not. 

      • They have an invested financial interest in building and keeping this facility operating that isn’t a direct service to youth. 

      • The need for emergency staffings or alternative settings represents an answer to DCF placement crisis, not a child or youth crisis.

    • DCF has named this new program The West River Haven. We don’t think any part of youth being housed on police property can be considered a “haven”

  • https://www.phillytrib.com/news/state_and_region/trump-administration-jails-migrant-teens-in-facility-known-for-child-abuse/article (From washington post article)

    • Police as an institution is built on slavery and continues to perpetuate racialized harm and targeting of the Black and Brown community

    • DCF has a history of disproportionately impacting Black and Brown families and youth

    • Housing youth who haven’t committed crimes on police property is a source of trauma and links to the criminalization of youth.

    • Partnerships with police and Abraxas are part of the prison industrial complex

      • They operate as both a non profit and a private for profit company

      • Abraxas was an affiliate with geogroup international prison company (The GEO Group - Official Website). Current affiliation is unclear 

    • Youth in congregate housing lack the community connection, care and resources that are essential to a child's development and well being.

      • Youth housed in these facilities are isolated from peers, family and more

    • 3 bedrooms in a basement facility

      • If you put youth in this kind of facility on police property for circumstances beyond their control how can they be expected to feel anything other than a criminal or that they are being punished? Youth deserve better!

    • Immediate housing that is OFF police property and NOT in partnership with known child abusers. 

    • Youth want to receive a full education amongst their peers, with additional forms of adult and community support, including counseling, personalized/private spaces, and joy. 

    • Youth in DCF custody have said that they want to be able to see their  family and friends. And/or receive more transparency over why they can’t. 

    • Being more directly informed and empowered about their situation within the DCF system 

      • As minors they are often left out of decision making processes and their needs or voices are minimized, dismissed or ignored without efforts to accommodate and support. 

    • Privacy

    • Trauma informed counseling

    • To be able to play and go to school

    • Long term housing with safe adults 

      • Youth don’t like being moved around constantly 

    • To stop punishing parents for poverty and instead provide financial support

    • Invest in educational resources for parents who are struggling. 

    • - Not placing them with other abusers (foster care or otherwise)

    • - Not trapping families into family separation and actually listening to youth

    • Immediate housing that is OFF police property and NOT in partnership with known child abusers. 

    • Our Town and State have agreements/policy in place not to work with ICE, that should extend to affiliates such as Abraxas that is placing migrant youth in facilities within the U.S.A

    • Preventative Care

    • Increased foster care providers

Take action today.

The Root believes Vermont residents deserve a DCF system that prioritizes stability, community, and prevention. We urge you to take action today by contacting your state legislators and the Department for Children and Families (DCF) to demand meaningful change.

Call on DCF to terminate its contract with Abraxas and redirect those public funds toward preventative, community-based services that strengthen families and keep children and youth safe in their communities. Vermont’s resources should be invested in local supports; mental health care, family assistance, housing stability, and youth programs that address challenges before they escalate.

Your voice matters. Reach out by phone or email, attend public meetings, and make it clear: Vermont must invest in solutions that keep families together and communities strong. Ask for transparency, accountability, and a commitment to services that truly serve our children.

Together, we can build a system rooted in care, prevention, and community.

Check out the resources below to take action today! Each template can be adapted for contacting your legislator or DCF Deputy Commissioner Aryka Radke.

  • Find your legislator here

    Contact Aryka Radke, Deputy Commissioner DCF-FSD:
    aryka.radke@vermont.gov
    (802) 241-0904

  • Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I’m a resident of [Your Town].

    I’m calling to urge [Legislator’s Name] to take immediate action regarding the Department for Children and Families. Specifically, I’m asking the legislator to support ending DCF’s contract with Abraxas, ending DCF’s congregate care partnerships with law enforcement, and to advocate for a shift in funding toward preventative, community-based services.

    Vermont’s children and families need support systems that keep them safely in their homes and communities. That means investing more in mental health services, family support, housing stability, and local programs that prevent crises before they happen.

    Please ask [Legislator’s Name] to push DCF to modify its budget so that more resources go toward these preventative services, rather than out-of-state or institutional placements.

    I would appreciate knowing where [Legislator’s Name] stands on this issue and what actions they plan to take.

    Thank you for your time and for representing our community.

  • Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I’m a constituent from [Your Town].

    I’m calling to urge [Legislator’s Name] to support ending DCF’s contract with Abraxas, ending DCF’s congregate care partnerships with law enforcement, and to push for a budget that prioritizes preventative, community-based services that keep children and youth safely with their families and in their communities.

    Please let me know where [Legislator’s Name] stands on this issue. Thank you.

  • Subject: Request to End DCF Contract with Abraxas and Invest in Preventative Services

    Dear [Legislator’s Name],

    My name is [Your Name], and I am a constituent from [Your Town].

    I am writing to urge you to support ending the Department for Children and Families’ contract with Abraxas, ending DCF’s congregate care partnerships with law enforcement, and to advocate for a budget that prioritizes preventative, community-based services.

    Vermont’s children and families need investments in supports that keep youth safely in their homes and communities—such as mental health care, family assistance, housing stability, and local programs that prevent crises before they occur.

    Please let me know where you stand on this issue and what actions you plan to take to ensure DCF shifts funding toward these critical preventative services.

    Thank you for your time and for representing our community.

    Sincerely,

    [Your Name]

    [Your Contact Information]