Act 184 of 2024 authorized the Treasurer's Office to design and develop a baby bonds pilot program to evaluate the potential impact and operational needs of a fully funded program.
In 2023, Treasurer Pieciak and legislative leaders brought forward a proposal to implement a baby bonds program in Vermont. The proposed initiative would have invested $3,200 for every child born on Medicaid. When the child reaches adulthood, they could access the funds for wealth-building activities like buying a home in Vermont, starting or investing in a local business, pursuing higher education or job training, or saving for retirement.
About:
The Vermont Baby Bonds Advisory Committee convenes local and national experts to support the development of a baby bonds pilot program in Vermont. The Committee will advise on program structure, outreach, and education to ensure broad community engagement and expert input.
The baby bonds pilot program will provide funds to a subset of young Vermonters born into poverty, targeting the Northeast Kingdom, where communities experience higher rates of poverty, lower levels of education attainment, and significant barriers to social and economic mobility.
Advisory Committee Members:
- David Radcliffe - State and Local Policy Director, New School’s Institute on Race, Power, and Political Economy
- Kirstin Boehm - Senior Director, Outreach, Research & Development, VSAC
- Stephanie Bonin - Senior Manager for Federal Campaigns, Center on Budget Policies and Priorities
- Priscilla Gilbert - Certified Financial Planner, CenterPoint Financial
- Amy Rose - Policy Director, Voices for Vermont’s Children
- Katie Mobley - Dean of Enrollment and Community Relations, Community College of Vermont
- Ted Castle - Founder, Rhino Foods
- Liz Scharf - Director of Community Economic Development and Food Security, Capstone Community Action
- Julie Lowell - Economic Security Policy and Outreach Director, Public Assets Institute
- Emily Bush - Director, Vermont’s Women's Fund
Meetings, Minutes, and Agendas:
Meeting agendas, minutes, access links, and recordings will be posted as available.
Friday, March 28, 2025 - 1:00 PM
Contact:
Becky Wasserman - Director of Economic Empowerment, Office of the Vermont State Treasurer
