Vermont

New DCF policy allows adoptees in Vt. access to birth records

Published

2 years ago

February 15, 2024

New DCF policy allows adoptees in Vt. access to birth records

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – People adopted in Vermont now have access to see their birth records, that’s thanks to legislation from the last legislative session. Previously, adoptees could only see a non-identifying summary of their adoption.

Since this law went into effect on July 1, the Department of Children and Families says just under 200 people have connected with the adoption registry to get their previously inaccessible records.

“It was like all of the questions were just answered. And it was really lovely.” Jess Proria grew up in the Northeast Kingdom after being adopted. He says he’s spent a lot of time wondering about his biological family, the reason for his adoption, and not knowing his ancestry.

He says his adoptive parents were always supportive in providing him with the information that was accessible, but he also was curious about medical, mental health, and other history that wasn’t available to him.

“With closed adoptions, I felt like we didn’t have the same rights as other people to know stories and to know information. And now it feels there’s just this sense of resolution or groundedness in the whole experience,” said Proria.

Proria says viewing his records was healing. He says he learned a lot about his story, and how challenging the process must have been for his biological mother noting how much care and intention was put into his adoption, something he hopes for other adopted people too.

“It’s really a lot better for adoptees birth parents and adoptive parents as well, just to not have this in the shadows and this is a wonderful thing to have it out in the open.” Arya Radke of the Department for Children and Families says the former laws of closed adoption came from an older way of thinking, noting how today’s best practice is to keep adoption records open. Vermont is now joining at least 14 states with open adoption record laws the last in New England.

“We have contacted about 140 adoptees, indicating to them that disclosure forms have been filed about their adoption, and then they have the option then to find out what’s been disclosed,” said Radke.

The state considers this legislation a win for adopted people in the Green Mountain State. And for folks like Proria, it is.

But Proria encourages adopted people in Vermont to be honest with themselves about what could change once they get to learn more about their story. “Once you open the file, you can’t close it, you know? You can’t unknow things. And as adopted kids, none of us are adopted from ideal situations. And you don’t know, no one will know what’s on the other side. And just to know that you’re in a good place to process that,” said Proria.

Adoptees born in Vermont can now get the original adoptive certificate and identifying information about their birth parents if they signed a nondisclosure form prior to the law.

Source link

Click to comment

Vermont

Here are five places to ice skate in Vermont this winter

Published

51 minutes ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Here are five places to ice skate in Vermont this winter

How to see a reindeer in Vermont

Vermont Reindeer Farm in West Charleston is home to the only three reindeer, or caribou, living in the state. Here’s what it’s like to visit them.

Looking for ways to enjoy the rest of the cold New England winter?

While staying indoors often seems better than facing the cold, the region has lots of outdoor activities that brighten the winter season, including skiing, snow tubing and, of course, ice skating. From Burlington to Stratton, Vermont has plenty of indoor and outdoor ice rinks, many of which offer lessons, concessions and special events in addition to ice skating.

Here are five places in Vermont where you can go ice skating this winter.

Spruce Peak Village Ice Rink

This outdoor ice rink is located in the heart of the village at Spruce Peak, a ski resort in Stowe formerly known as Stowe Mountain Lodge.

Guests can skate daily surrounded by the majestic ski slopes of the Green Mountains. On Friday nights, the Spruce Peak Village ice rink hosts glow skate parties with a light show, glow sticks and a live DJ. Skate rentals and lessons are also available for purchase.

When: Noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday or noon to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Where: Spruce Peak, 7412 Mountain Road, Stowe

Ice Haus Arena

Located up at Jay Peak Resort near the Canadian border, Ice Haus Arena is the newest ice-skating arena in the state. The indoor rink is complete with bleacher seating, a rental and repair shop, four locker rooms, a pro shop, a snack bar and of course, an NHL-sized rink where guests can participate in public skating or skating with sticks and pucks.

General admission to the rink is $6, with skate rentals available for $6, skate sharpening available for $7 and helmets available for $3.

When: Online schedule updated daily

Where: Jay Peak Resort, 830 Jay Peak Road, Jay

C. Douglas Cairns Recreation Arena

This indoor arena has not one, but two NHL-size ice rinks for hockey, public skating and stick and puck practices. Off the ice, Cairns Arena also offers a pro shop and a cafe with hot food, snacks and drinks.

Skating at Cairns costs $5 for adults or $3 for children and seniors, and skates are available to rent for an additional $5.

When: 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday through Thursday, with exceptions. Check the online schedule at cairnsarena.finnlyconnect.com..

Where: 600 Swift St., South Burlington

Mill House at Stratton Mountain Resort

Surrounded by the scenic Stratton Mountain Resort, Mill House Pond is the perfect outdoor spot for public ice skating or skating lessons.

Public skating costs $20, and bookings can be made online.

When: Noon to 8 p.m. Saturday or noon to 6 p.m. Thursday-Friday and Sunday-Monday

Where: Stratton Mountain Resort, 5 Village Lodge Road, Stratton Mountain

Riley Rink at Hunter Park

A large indoor sports facility, Northshore Civic Center has an Olympic-sized ice rink, along with a concession stand and retail shop. The rink offers public skating, stick and puck practice, hockey and skating lessons.

When: Check the online schedule for weekly updates

Where: 410 Hunter Park Road, Manchester Center

Source link

Vermont

Unemployment claims in Vermont increased last week

Published

13 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Unemployment claims in Vermont increased last week

Staff reports
| USA TODAY Network

Initial filings for unemployment benefits in Vermont rose last week compared with the week prior, the U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday.

New jobless claims, a proxy for layoffs, increased to 375 in the week ending February 21, up from 357 the week before, the Labor Department said.

U.S. unemployment claims rose to 212,000 last week, up 4,000 claims from 208,000 the week prior on a seasonally adjusted basis.

Rhode Island saw the largest percentage increase in weekly claims, with claims jumping by 132.0%. Michigan, meanwhile, saw the largest percentage drop in new claims, with claims dropping by 49.9%.

USA TODAY Co. is publishing localized versions of this story on its news sites across the country, generated with data from the U.S. Department of Labor’s weekly unemployment insurance claims report.

Source link

Vermont

Vermont high school sports scores, results, stats for Thursday, Feb. 26

Published

1 day ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Vermont high school sports scores, results, stats for Thursday, Feb. 26

The 2025-2026 Vermont high school winter season has begun. See below for scores, schedules and game details (statistical leaders, game notes) from basketball, hockey, gymnastics, wrestling, Nordic/Alpine skiing and other winter sports.

TO REPORT SCORES

Coaches or team representatives are asked to report results ASAP after games by emailing sports@burlingtonfreepress.com. Please submit with a name/contact number.

▶ Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.

▶ Contact Judith Altneu at JAltneu@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @Judith_Altneu.