Video & Transcript Research : 'DCYF'
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NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Health and Human Services Oversight Committee (10/24/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- There have been pointed strategies through DCYF.
- .<00:46:17.520>
DCYF <00:46:18.240>strategic <00:46:18.720>plan <00:46:19.359> - has<00:46:19.599>
been DCYF. - DCYF strategic plan has been DCYF.
- It's their monthly Families, DBA, DCYF.
Summary:
The committee first approved the draft minutes from September 26. Senator Gray then raised the idea of creating a continuing subcommittee or recurring agenda item on palliative care and hospice, noting that the issues are evolving and suggesting the committee revisit the idea in coming months.
The bulk of the meeting focused on Department of Health and Human Services updates. Officials described contingency planning for SNAP amid the federal shutdown, including a USDA notice that November benefits may not be fully funded, letters to participants warning of possible delays, and coordination with the New Hampshire Food Bank and local pantries. They said New Hampshire serves about 42,000 SNAP households, with average benefits around $300 a month, and that the department is also preparing to transfer funds for a special fiscal committee meeting. WIC was discussed separately: officials said WIC benefits had been extended through November 7 using additional USDA funds, but that some community agency-based WIC services may need to pause while money is redirected to food benefits.
Officials also outlined New Hampshire’s rural health transformation grant application under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill, describing a potential five-year, up-to-$1 billion opportunity focused on critical access hospitals, small rural hospitals, federally qualified health centers, community mental health centers, and EMS. Members asked about transportation, workforce, and nursing retention; officials said transportation is included in the proposal, housing is not, and workforce supports may include lower tuition or awards but not loan repayment or traditional scholarships. They also said the final application would be submitted in early November and that priorities would be adjusted depending on the eventual federal award.
Finally, Medicaid director Henry Lipman gave a quarterly postpartum coverage update. He said postpartum coverage is now nearly universal nationwide, and in New Hampshire 2,351 women had used the benefit through May 2025. He reported that mental health services were the most frequently used postpartum service, followed by preventive care, substance use disorder treatment, and cardiovascular-related care, and noted that Medicaid women have experienced a disproportionate share of maternal deaths. Committee members asked about rural distribution and the share of women receiving mental health services, and Lipman said the department would follow up with additional data. The meeting then moved into the annual update on New Hampshire’s 10-year mental health plan, with staff describing progress toward a more integrated continuum of care and improved data infrastructure.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- They've used it 500 times, and DCYF has used it 40 times.
- times, and DCYF has used it 40 times. times, and DCYF has used it 40 times.
- and DCYF and DCYF our<01:17:41.840>
Department <01:17:42.240>of <01:17:42.320>Education - <01:17:56.440>
So, <01:17:56.960>I'm agency just like DHS and DCYF. - So, I'm agency just like DHS and DCYF.
Keywords:
grooming, child protection, student safety, sexual exploitation, educator licensing, teacher discipline, mandatory reporting, mandated reporter training, school misconduct, predatory offender, child abuse, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, child sexual abuse material, child pornography, position of authority, school employee, school administrator, license revocation, license suspension
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Health and Human Services Oversight Committee (01/24/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- are responsible the the youth that we are responsible for<00:11:18.760>
and <00:11:18.920>dcyf - others<00:11:20.240>
actually <00:11:20.480>get <00:11:20.680>the for and dcyf - and others actually get the for and dcyf and others actually get the care<00:11:21.079>
that < - There have been a few people recently who have suggested that DCYF has broken out from DHHS, and the
- recently who have suggested that dcyf recently who have suggested that dcyf has<00:21:27.679>
Summary:
The committee first handled organizational business, electing Representative Mark Pearson as chair for the coming term, appointing Representative Lucy Weber as clerk, and approving the November 22 minutes with abstentions from members who were absent. Members also noted excused absences for Senator Avard and Representative Jessica Lontine. After the vote, the committee moved to the DHHS commissioners’ update.
DHHS associate commissioners Patricia Tilly and Chris Santinello described a process-improvement effort to improve transitions for youth moving from DCF care into adult developmental services and Medicaid. They said the old process was fragmented, dependent on personal relationships, and not sustainable, so staff from DCF, the Bureau of Family Assistance, Developmental Services, and public health used a Kaizen/Lean event to map the workflow, identify bottlenecks, clarify roles, and create a more consistent playbook. Members asked about IT support and whether the process would create new bureaucracy; DHHS said current systems are antiquated, especially DCF’s CWIS, but the goal is to streamline coordination, not add bureaucracy, and future systems like Granite Families may help with reminders and age-based ticklers. Several members praised the work, including a CASA volunteer who said the added attention has improved services for vulnerable youth.
The committee then received the annual healthcare-associated infections update from Ctin Hansen of the Division of Public Health Services. Hansen reported that New Hampshire’s HAI program, created by statute, tracks infections in hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, dialysis centers, and long-term care facilities. For 2023, hospitals reported fewer infections than predicted nationally, with 135 infections statewide and 174 C. diff infections also below national rates; hospital influenza vaccination was 89.9%. Ambulatory surgery centers reported low infection counts and an 80.1% staff flu vaccination rate; dialysis centers reported fewer infections overall than the prior year but higher local access-site infections, with staff vaccination at 52.6%; and long-term care facilities reported a 50.1% flu vaccination rate, up from 37.8%. Hansen also said the program conducted over 100 investigations, handled 84 antibiotic-resistant organism reports, completed 20 infection-prevention assessments, and operated on a budget of about $348,000 plus grant funding, including an Epidemiology Laboratory Capacity Grant that was later reduced.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Children and Family Law (02/11/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- and again I'll reiterate a founded dcyf and again I'll reiterate a founded report<00:11:17.000>
is - case management system and see what dcyf case management system and see what touch<00:16:23.079>
- We could absorb that as a DCYF agency and be able to ensure that when kids come into care we have DCYF
- <03:41:13.479>
agency could absorb that um as a dcyf agency could absorb that um as a dcyf - <03:41:18.000>
nurses come into care we have dcyf nurses come into care we have dcyf nurses
Summary:
The House Children and Family Law Committee opened with a brief prayer for Representative Grossman’s son, Oscar, who was reported to be in critical condition after a traumatic fall. The committee then took up House Bill 430, which would reduce DHHS retention of unfounded abuse and neglect reports from 10 years to 3 years. Prime sponsor Chairman James Spain argued that 10 years is excessive and burdens families with a long-lasting stigma, while emphasizing that founded reports and reports with reasonable concern would still be retained indefinitely. Committee members questioned whether longer retention helps identify malicious reporting or patterns of abuse, and whether parents understand the distinction between unfounded and unfounded with reasonable concern.
The Office of the Child Advocate and DCF opposed the bill. Child Advocate Cassandra Sanchez said historical reports are important for identifying patterns, reviewing critical incidents, and understanding family dynamics, and that screened-out and unfounded reports can be essential context when later reports arise. She also noted that the records are highly confidential and not publicly accessible. DCF General Counsel Susan Larabe added that the bill could create inconsistencies by retaining screened-out reports longer than unfounded reports, and explained that unfounded reports can be used in court and in administrative reviews when there are multiple prior reports. The committee discussed how other states handle retention, with testimony that some keep records indefinitely and others for long periods. The hearing on HB 430 concluded, and the chair said the bill would not be executed until early March, leaving time for amendments.
The committee then opened House Bill 187, concerning restraining orders sought by a parent on behalf of a minor child. Prime sponsor Representative Mike Belcher said the bill is intended to correct a gap in the law so children can access the same restraining-order protections adults can, through a parent or guardian, and framed it as an equal-protection issue. Members questioned why the proposal was placed in the child abuse and neglect statute rather than the civil restraining-order statutes, and whether it should instead be handled as a broader civil-law fix. Alanda Peterson, who said she created Jade’s Law, testified that the original wording was meant to protect all children, not just those harmed by family members, and supported expanding the language. The hearing continued with additional discussion of the bill’s scope and purpose.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House State Government Finance and Policy Committee 3/27/25
State Government Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- budget also recommends an adjustment to an appropriation from the 2024-2025 biennium related to the DCYF
- So this implementation office is housed at MMB, and the proposal would cancel $8.5 million from the DCYF
- account that is currently held by MMB, and reappropriate $6 million of that cancellation directly to DCYF
- biennium related to the DCYF biennium related to the DCYF implementation<00:14:36.000>
office - million from the DCYF transition account that<00:14:46.520>
is <00:14:46.640>currently
Keywords:
state government finance, biennial budget, appropriations, Minnesota Management and Budget, Healthy Aging Subcabinet, Office of Healthy Aging, older adults, aging policy, long-term care, caregivers, public health, Medicaid fraud, medical assistance fraud, attorney general subpoena power, fraud enforcement, business filing fraud, Secretary of State, deceptive mailings, consumer protection, certified public accountant
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Attendance actually stems in Department of Education, DCYF, Human Services, Transportation, and many
- Attendance actually stems in Department of Education, DCYF, Human Services, Transportation, and many
- It does not affect the administration of benefits by DHS or DCYF.
- It does not affect the administration of benefits by DHS or DCYF.
- It does not affect the administration of benefits by DHS or DCYF.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
State Committee Meeting - 2025-03-27
State Government Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- budget also... recommends an adjustment to an appropriation from the 24-25 biennium related to the DCYF
- This implementation office is housed at... and the proposal would cancel $8.5 million from the DCYF transition
- that is currently held by MMB and re-appropriate $6 million of the... that cancellation directly to DCYF
Keywords:
state government finance, biennial budget, appropriations, Minnesota Management and Budget, Healthy Aging Subcabinet, Office of Healthy Aging, older adults, aging policy, long-term care, caregivers, public health, Medicaid fraud, medical assistance fraud, attorney general subpoena power, fraud enforcement, business filing fraud, Secretary of State, deceptive mailings, consumer protection, certified public accountant
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Children and Family Law (03/04/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Do you know if DCYF investigators are required to take a course like this?”
- Do you know if DCYF investigators are required to take a course like this?”
- DCYF staff have a lot more training hours than what is being asked here for medical professionals.
- Do you know if DCYF investigators are required to take a course like this?”
- Child advocacy centers in New Hampshire also offer specialized training to DCYF staff.
Summary:
The Children and Family Law Committee opened its March 4 meeting with procedural announcements, including a deadline for any Minority Report, notice that the committee would not meet the following Tuesday because of town meeting day, and a preview of its March 18 agenda. The chair said that meeting would include hearings and executive sessions on HB 518, requiring DHHS to provide a detailed annual report of DCF costs, and HB 775, directing DHHS to seek proposals for supervised visitation centers; HB 553 was also slated for executive session. The committee also heard an update on Representative Grossman’s son, who remained in the PICU at Mass General.
The main hearing was on HB 493, which would require child abuse and neglect education for physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants as a condition of licensure. Representative Alicia Gregg presented the bill and an amendment reducing the required training from two hours to one hour, saying the goal was to improve recognition of abuse and prevent both missed cases and false accusations. Cassandra Sanchez, the state Child Advocate, strongly supported the bill, describing a 2020 review of nine cases of non-ambulatory infants with serious injuries and later system mapping that identified gaps in medical recognition; she said the training should be part of existing continuing education hours and that voluntary uptake had been limited. Dr. Michael Matos of Wolfeboro Pediatrics also testified in support.
Ben Bradley of the New Hampshire Hospital Association opposed legislating the requirement, saying hospitals already train staff and that the legislature should not single out one topic for statutory mandate when other reporting obligations are handled differently. In questioning, committee members asked whether the hour would be part of existing continuing education, whether hospitals already provide similar training, and whether the bill should be placed in the continuing medical education statute instead of child protection law. Bradley said hospital members already provide annual training and collaborate with proponents, but did not support putting the requirement in statute. Sanchez said the bill was intended to use one of the hours already required for training, though members noted that the bill text did not clearly say so. The committee also heard broader testimony about the Family Division of Circuit Court, including a proposal to create a subcommittee to study more difficult issues such as pre-trial counseling, evidentiary practices, and domestic violence-related cases, with the Speaker appointing members to that subcommittee.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- Currently, we check the DCYF list for findings of abuse and neglect strictly for abuse.
- Currently, we check the uh DCYF neglect.
- Because this is strictly the DCYF list around foster parents. Okay. Mr. Fellow.
- <00:13:36.920>
list Because this is strictly the DCYF list Because this is strictly the DCYF - report it to DCYF. report it to DCYF.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 02/19/26
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- with DCYF with minute. with DCYF with minute.
- We had no support from DCYF about how to handle these interactions. We were on our own.
- We needed more support from DCYF for our businesses.
- about how to We had no support from DCYF about how to handle<01:52:49.720>
these <01:52:49.960 - from DCYF for our businesses. from DCYF for our businesses.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee 4/1/25
Children and Families Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- So the budget for DCYF invests or dedicates existing state and federal funding and provides some new
- The governor's recommendation for DCYF includes cancellations or reductions in state and federal fiscal
- The governor's budget also includes a dedication of $10 million from existing DCYF funding to modernize
- <00:01:52.040>
invests families so the budget for dcyf invests families so the budget for - dcyf invests or<00:01:52.680>
dedicates <00:01:53.320>existing <00:01:53.719>state
Keywords:
child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras, early education, scholarships, funding, children, families, Minnesota education, child care licensing, family child care, child care center, Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families, correction order, conditional license, fix-it ticket, documented technical assistance, license suspension
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Child Committee Meeting - 2026-04-14
Children and Families Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- And even talking with the commissioner and folks today at DCYF, again, there are many concerns.
- George, I'm the assistant commissioner for child safety and permanency at DCYF.
- George, I'm the assistant commissioner for child safety and permanency at DCYF.
- for child safety and permanency at DCYF. for child safety and permanency at DCYF.
- In 2024, the DCYF cannot find workers.
Keywords:
child welfare, African American children, racial disproportionality, family preservation, reunification, foster care, kinship care, relative placement, noncustodial parent, guardian ad litem, ombudsperson, Department of Human Services, county social services, active efforts, reasonable efforts, child protection, placement, out-of-home placement, Northstar kinship assistance, data disaggregation
Summary:
The Children and Families Committee adopted the April 8 minutes and then took up House File 4407, as amended by the A1 amendment. The amendment, explained by nonpartisan staff, incorporated much of the Senate version of related legislation and made a series of changes: it revised the definition of “disproportionately represented child,” shifted that determination to the Commissioner of Children, Youth, and Families, made technical cross-reference and terminology updates, adjusted training requirements, set the working group to expire December 31, 2027, and added an appropriation for statewide implementation. The committee adopted the A1 amendment and then referred the bill to Ways and Means.
Representative Gilman said the bill is intended to preserve the goals of the Minnesota African American Family Preservation Act while addressing operational, legal, and fiscal problems before statewide implementation. He argued for delaying the effective date by one year, shifting case review responsibilities to the state, and providing funding so counties are not left with an unfunded mandate. He also said the bill adds safety measures related to synthetic opioids and other imminent-harm concerns, and that the delay would allow the working group to finish its recommendations and give counties time to prepare.
County officials Steve Schmidt of Meeker County/Minnesota Rural Counties and Jenny Mojo of Clay County testified in support of the bill as amended, emphasizing that counties need clearer responsibilities, staffing, training, technology, and dependable funding to implement the law successfully. Rebecca St. George of DCYF said “active efforts” is not absolutely defined and is determined case by case, often with court involvement. Members raised questions about the meaning of active efforts, the bill’s synthetic opioid language, and whether the proposal should apply more broadly rather than within this specific act. A citizen also cautioned that the opioid language should not unintentionally affect families in treatment programs. Representative Hicks warned that the fentanyl provisions could lead to broad removals and create placement problems for teens with substance use disorder, while Representative Gilman responded that the bill includes a rebuttable presumption and is meant to protect children from imminent harm.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee 3/12/25
Children and Families Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- So, this particular bill, House File 1112, would establish a regional food bank grant program with DCYF
- So, this particular bill, House File 1112, would establish a regional food bank grant program with DCYF
- So, again throughout the state, geographic, urban, suburban, greater Minnesota. ...program with DCYF
- Uh, we gave out there was an application process through DCYF.
- Um, it was highly competitive over DCYF.
Keywords:
child care, day care, child care center, licensing, license requirements, parent access, guardian access, custody order, court order, furnishings, equipment standards, learning materials, early childhood education, infant care, toddler care, preschool, school-age child care, play materials, sensory materials, gross motor equipment
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (01/22/2025)
Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- <01:05:25.720>
involvement <01:05:26.240>it <01:05:26.359>can cases of dcyf - involvement it can cases of dcyf involvement it can motivate<01:05:26.920>
a <01:05:27.079> - These crimes on the books are meant mostly as deterrence to people committing crimes, and if DCYF can
- , so that's an alternative to if the family, the parents, don't comply with the plan of DCYF.
- DCYF cannot continue to bear the entire responsibility of child protection.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Judiciary Committee Meeting - 2026-04-14
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Transcript Highlights:
- Some requests, including those related to the decision-making of DCYF, remain unfilled.
- We have not been able to agree on what UFFY should have access to and what should be left up to DCYF
- be<01:01:58.319>
left <01:01:58.559>up <01:01:58.720>to <01:01:58.799>DCYF - ><01:01:59.520>
to <01:01:59.680>decide <01:02:00.160>or should be left up to DCYF - decreases the time burden for DHS, DCYF decreases the time burden for DHS, DCYF or<01:05:22.079>
Keywords:
foster care, ombudsperson, investigative powers, children's rights, complaint process, HF4428, Medical Assistance, Medicaid, community engagement, work requirement, work mandate, employment requirement, community service, 80 hours, half-time student, income threshold, federal minimum wage, eligibility verification, benefit suspension, benefit termination
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Legislation to combat chronic school absenteeism, HF2067, is sent to House Floor 3/25/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- , conversations with our co-chairs of Children, Youth, and Family, understanding that they oversee DCYF
- striking this language, with the understanding that Representative Bakeberg and I will be partnering with DCYF
- , conversations with our co-chairs of Children, Youth, and Family, understanding that they oversee DCYF
- striking this language, with the understanding that Representative Bakeberg and I will be partnering with DCYF
- striking this language, with the understanding that Representative Bakeberg and I will be partnering with DCYF
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Children and Family Law (04/16/2026)
Children and Family Law
Transcript Highlights:
- I mean, I realize that some of these cases have DCYF involved.
- some cases the judge had picked the GAL because he wasn't sure of the... uh some of these cases have DCYF
- uh some of these cases have DCYF involved. involved. involved.
- 38.160>
of <00:09:38.600>the Uh, because he wasn't sure of the responsible party where DCYF
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - Part 2 - 04/04/25
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- And it also updates statutory cross-references and adds DCYF to certain state advisory councils that
- , transferring programs from the DCYF, transferring programs from the departments<01:19:32.080>
of - during the 2023 and transferred to DCYF during the 2023 and 2024<01:20:15.040>
sessions. - <01:22:42.639>
Um, <01:22:43.040>same and the commissioner of DCYF. - Um, same and the commissioner of DCYF.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- And that's a reflection on the state agency, the DCYF.
- I'm glad that the EFAs are going to get the same protection as home educators from DCYF.
- And that language was from DCYF.
- So that means, you know, DCYF has to do their job.
- And so our DCYF are able to go do a minimal facts interview, just ask some questions.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Finance Division III (04/20/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the DCYF director.
- So, we don't 100% control the front door to YDC or SYSC at DCYF.
- YDC<00:31:37.720>
or <00:31:37.880>SYSC <00:31:39.000>at <00:31:39.200>DCYF - Uh we certainly to YDC or SYSC at DCYF.
- Um so, we control DCYF files petitions.
Summary:
Division Three of the Finance Committee met in work session on April 20, 2026, to consider Senate Bills 481, 603, and 663, with the discussion focused primarily on SB 481, relative to the sale of the Sununu Youth Services Center property. The chair explained that the bill was advisory only and that the committee’s recommendations would go to full Finance on April 27. For SB 481, members reviewed conflicting provisions in the prior budget law about whether sale proceeds should go to the general fund or the Youth Development Center Claims and Administration Settlement Fund, and the bill was described as a compromise that would direct proceeds to the general fund before June 30, 2027, and to the settlement fund after that date. It was noted that the settlement fund had originally received about $20 million and had roughly $10 million remaining.
The committee also received an extensive update from DCYF Director Marie Noonan on the new Youth Development Center in Hampstead. She reported that construction remained on schedule, with major structural and interior work complete, substantial completion expected in late summer or early fall 2026, and occupancy anticipated in early 2027. The presentation highlighted the facility’s design features, including single-occupancy bedrooms, sensory rooms, an education wing, medical and clinical suites, visitation space, a gym, and multiple outdoor courtyards, all intended to support a trauma-informed setting. Members asked about the facility’s funding, square footage, fencing, and scanner; staff said the building is about 34,000 square feet, funded entirely with federal ARPA state recovery funds to date, and that the scanner is on site but not yet operational pending policy and staff training.
Committee members also raised concerns about the facility’s design and security. In response, DCYF said some concrete walls are required for structural and safety reasons, but they are being painted to maintain a brighter environment, and that the fencing will be about 15 feet high with privacy netting because the campus is shared with Hampstead. Officials said the new facility is legislatively limited to a maximum of 12 youth, while the current center can house 12 to 18, and emphasized that courts ultimately determine placements. No votes or final actions were taken during the work session.