TARGETED ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TAP)
The Targeted Assistance Program (TAP) is designed to assist State and local government agencies in resolving issues or problems with their current records management programs. It is also the program used by the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration to inventory, appraise and schedule public records in accordance with 1 V.S.A. § 317a and 3 V.S.A. § 117. TAP is modeled after a Federal program and replaces the Archives' Records Appraisal Program, which was offered from January 2006 to December 2007.
TAP embraces statewide strategies for managing records and offers a unique opportunity for agencies to partner with the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration (VSARA) and, where possible, its collaborators, such as the Department of Information and Innovation's Enterprise Project Management Office (EPMO). Agencies may request assistance to develop record retention schedules, customized records training, record taxonomies or file plans, and more.
Under TAP, agencies provide staff time and subject matter expertise, along with coordination among the agency's divisions and units. VSARA provides expert guidance and assistance and expedited review of project deliverables, such as record inventories and schedules, at no cost.
Partnerships established through TAP are not contracts for records management services but rather "records management projects." Project details such as scope, schedule, milestones, final outcomes, and team members are developed collaboratively by a VSARA records analyst and the agency. Where possible or necessary, additional agencies may be recommended to join the project.
As a subset of TAP, VSARA holds open houses on the first Tuesday morning and last Thursday afternoon of every month. Open houses offer basic overviews of State recordkeeping requirements, the Vermont State Archives and the State Records Center and are open to all state employees (register by contacting Rachel Muse at or 802-828-2397). We occasionally offer records management classes through The Summit Center for State Employee Development.
To start a partnership, agency heads or their designated records officers should submit a written request for assistance to the State Archives using the contact information below (requests submitted by e-mail are acceptable). Requests must include a description of the agency's records management issue or problem and a proposed project plan. Informal discussions about proposed projects prior to submitting a written request are encouraged. See TAP Overview for more information.
PROPOSALS or INQUIRIES may be directed to:
- Records Analysis Unit
- Vermont State Archives and Records Administration
- 1078 U.S. Route 2, Middlesex
- Montpelier, VT 05633-7701
- EMAIL: rim@sec.state.vt.us
- PHONE: 802-828-2397
This page was last updated on: 2011-01-18.
