Last updated on July 17th, 2025 at 11:48 am
Story by MyChamplainValley.com, ABC Local 22 & FOX Local 44 News
TRANSCRIPT:
A Vermont organization is on the receiving end of more than $400,000, coming from the Health and Human Services.
I spoke with the executive director of the Vermont Aging Network Consortium (VANC).
The $450,000 grant will be disbursed over the next two years, with a big chunk going towards improvements to the Older Vermonters Helpline.
VANC provides numerous services to elderly individuals and their caregivers throughout the Green Mountain State.
Executive Director Cheryl Gilbert tells me that these funds will help them accomplish two main tasks: modernize and centralize area services to serve as a hub for information and improve their Older Vermonters Helpline.
As it stands now, Gilbert says their landline-based system has become unreliable and expects their technology to be obsolete by 2030.
Cheryl Gilbert: Really anything that, you know, our older Vermonters are looking for help for, they can call our services, call our helpline to get guidance, really, by investing these upgrades now, VANC will improve access for services to our older Vermonters, their families and caregivers across the state.
The helpline connects callers to a wide variety of services, from Meals on Wheels and nutrition support, to transportation assistance and Medicare counseling.
Now, Gilbert emphasizes that these streamlining efforts will help to save money down the line, all of which they plan to put right back into the services that benefit older Vermonters.
