Gov. Phil Scott has appointed Matthew Bernstein to be Vermont’s first child, youth and family advocate, according to a press release from the Oversight Commission on Children, Youth, and Families.
Bernstein has extensive experience advocating for those impacted by the child welfare system and has worked with state agencies and legislatures. He was an assistant professor at Vermont Law School until last year and a senior attorney previously, providing legal representation to low-income children and their caregivers at a nonprofit law firm in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
He started in the role on Monday and looks forward to listening and learning to Vermonters invested in child, youth, and family well-being, the commission said.
Enacted last year, Act 129 created the Office of the Child, Youth, and Family Advocate to promote the safety and well-being of children, youth and families, and add transparency and accountability to state systems.
It is also expected to center racial justice and uplift the voices of those impacted by the child welfare, juvenile justice and related mental health systems, according to the commission.
“This position is long overdue in Vermont,” said Nate Farnham, a member of the Oversight Commission on Children, Youth, and Families who grew up in the foster care system. “Youth in care will now have a direct voice in our state’s government for advocacy.”
As director of the new office, Bernstein will hire a deputy and convene an advisory council of stakeholders who have been impacted by child welfare services, according to the commission.
“Ultimately, our success will be measured by positive outcomes that improve the lives of Vermonters,” Bernstein said in the release.
Correction: A previous version misstated when Bernstein was an assistant professor.