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Strong Families. Strong Futures.
Child in rainbow shirt at the park talking to a puppet wearing glasses

Greetings to our VFN Family and Friends.


As the hot August days of summer go by, Vermont Family Network looks toward the start of a new school year and how we can best support families. To that end, we are embarking on several new initiatives that we would like to share with all of you!

 

Vermont is the recipient of a new grant opportunity that creates an amazing opportunity for organizations and schools to forge meaningful partnerships and provide training for youth with disabilities and schools. Vermont students with disabilities experience many challenges transitioning successfully from high school to adulthood. The Vermont Pathways to Partnerships (VT-P2P) project brings together a broad array of partners to create enhanced pathways to success in employment and postsecondary outcomes for students with disabilities. VFN is an integral partner, and our activities include creating informational resources, facilitating community conversations, and running a transition conference. VFN will ensure that families are meaningfully engaged in their youth’s transition from high school to adulthood. Active and informed parent participation maximizes the success of their children’s post-secondary outcomes.

 

VFN is also the recipient of a new Department of Mental Health grant that increases our capacity to help families through the parent representative role at Coordinated Services Plan (CSP) or Act 264 meetings statewide. This will complement the work of our dedicated helpline staff who support families through the special education process.

 

Through innovative tools and training, VFN is building a series of training and curricula centered on improving family engagement in the Home and Community-Based Service (HCBS) provider care network. Drawing from our lived experiences, we're developing resources on thoughtful communication around diagnoses, emotional support for siblings, and respite funding. Our curriculum aims to provide HCBS providers valuable family perspectives, fostering more inclusive and empathetic care processes. This initiative reflects VFN's commitment to bridging the gap between families and providers, ensuring more comprehensive support for all.


This past school year, the puppets performed 171 individual puppet shows at 51 different locations. We reached 7,813 people (963 adults and 6,850 students). We are thankful to all our funders who helped make this happen: Vermont Agency of Education, National Life Group Foundation, Vermont Department of Mental Health, Vermont Children’s Trust Foundation, and Upstate Chevy Dealers of New York.


Lastly, VFN looks forward to partnering with the Vermont Development Disabilities Council by developing training and organizational tools to build a volunteer program. This program will train and support volunteer parents to help other parents through their children’s IEP meetings, complementing our existing education helpline work and expanding the services that families need.

 

These additional grants and activities will enable VFN to expand and improve services to all Vermont families, especially those with children who have disabilities or special health needs. Enjoy the waning days of summer and we look forward to starting a new school year with you.

 

From the heart,

The VFN Leadership Team

VFN is Hiring!

Join our Family Support team

VFN is hiring for the following positions:


Family Support Consultant – Mental Health 


and


Family Support Consultant – Community Outreach and Engagement

 

Please submit your cover letter, which details how your qualifications match the needs of the position at Vermont Family Network, and a CV or resume via email HR@vtfn.org.

Coordinated Services Plan Meetings –

Help for Families

When a child with a disability or special health needs requires services from multiple organizations, and families need help with coordinating those services, they may be eligible for a Coordinated Services Plan (CSP). This tool coordinates the parties involved in a child’s care by bringing all the service providers together at one meeting. Families who access the CSP are entitled to a parent representative who can support the family before, during and after the CSP meeting. VFN Family Support Consultants, through a contract with the Vermont Department of Mental Health, can support Vermont families in the CSP process in the role of parent rep.  

 

If you have any questions regarding the parent representative role and how to access one for your meeting, CSP/Act 264 or mental health supports in general, please contact the VFN helpline at 802-876-5315 or info@vtfn.org.

Family Faculty

A family of two parents and three children, dressed in blue and white, sit on a big fallen tree trunk at the beach.

Are you ready to tell your story?

 

Our Family Faculty program teaches best practices in family-centered care to health and education professionals through the power of real-life stories. If you are the caregiver of a child with a disability or special health care need and wish to share your story, then our Family Faculty program is for you!

 

Stipends are available to participants. Please contact donia.shirley@vtfn.org or ashley.michaud@vtfn.org, Family Faculty Co-Coordinators, to find out more.

Empower Your Voice!

Join the Vermont Leadership Series

Ready to become a powerful advocate for positive change? The Vermont Leadership Series seeks passionate individuals for an intensive and robust training program. Designed for people with developmental disabilities, their family members, and allies, this transformative experience will equip you with skills to make a real difference.


Learn effective advocacy, inclusive leadership, and policy engagement from expert facilitators. Develop confidence, build lasting connections, and join a supportive community dedicated to disability rights. This series is organized by the Vermont Developmental Disabilities Council, Green Mountain Self-Advocates, and Vermont Family Network. 


Don't miss this chance to reshape the future of disability rights in Vermont. Apply today and embark on a journey that will change lives – including yours!


To learn more, please get in touch with brianna.underwood@vtfn.org

It's Summertime, and the Puppets Are Chillin’

A puppet in a yellow shirt sits in an outdoor chair near some orange daylily flowers.

We wound up our 2023-2024 performance season in late June with a week of shows at Fletcher Free Library (Burlington), Waterbury Public Library, and Aldrich Public Library (Barre). All three shows were courtesy of the Vermont Department of Mental Health.


Our two most performed shows this school year were our Anxiety Puppet Program and our Bullying Prevention Puppet Program. Kids across Vermont, Upstate New York, and Massachusetts had a great time learning how to be kind to others and how to take care of themselves.


The puppets may be taking a well-deserved break, but the people behind the puppets are already hard at work, gearing up for the 2024-2025 school year. One of our most requested show topics was “Friendship,” so we will be writing a brand-new script about how to be a good friend. We’re also working on updating handouts, informational packets and more so schools have what they need to make the most out of a day with the puppets.


We couldn’t do any of this without the generous help of our funders, as well as VFN donors and supporters, like you! Thanks to your help, we are able to travel to historically rural schools who often don’t have the means to bring us to their community.


We are already nearing capacity for the 2024-2025 school year. If your school would like us to perform and you are able to pay for a day of shows, please reach out to Karen at karen.sharpwolf@vtfn.org as soon as possible.

HireAbility Transition Counselors

A counselor wearing glasses and holding a clipboard, talks to a youth with yellow-dyed hair and both are laughing.

When your high schooler has a transition IEP meeting, the IEP team, of which the parent is a member, can invite outside agencies that provide adult services. It may be appropriate to invite a HireAbility transition counselor to your child’s IEP meeting when post-secondary services are discussed.


HireAbility transition counselors and youth employment specialists also collaborate with high schools to provide pre-employment transition services (Pre-ETS) for students as young as 14 years of age. Those programs could look different from school to school. The five activities under Pre-ETS are: job exploration counseling, work-based learning experiences, transition or postsecondary educational programs counseling, workplace readiness training and self-advocacy instruction.



For more information about transition, read VFN’s Transition Toolkit for Youth with Disabilities or contact our helpline at 802-876-5315 or info@vtfn.org if you have concerns or questions about your high school student with a disability. 

Youth Advocacy Council

A group of youth, including one using a wheelchair talk around a table covered with notebooks, pens and laptops.

The Youth Advocacy Council (YAC) is made up of youth and young adults with disabilities ages 14 through 25 who are interested in leadership training and activities that impact life after high school. Please consider having your teenager/young adult child apply! Watch Building and Empowering Ourselves through the Youth Advocacy CouncilOne of the many activities the YAC conducts is the planning and implementing of the Youth Summit. Watch Youth Summit 2023 Key note presentation. If you have any questions or have interest in applying, please contact Denee.MacKenzie@vermont.gov.

 

For more information about transition, read VFN’s Transition Toolkit for Youth with Disabilities or contact our helpline at 802-876-5315 or info@vtfn.org if you have concerns or questions about your high school student with a disability.

Understanding Sensory Processing:

A Guide for Parents

Child in a green smock and white shorts holds hands over ears and grimaces

Sensory processing is a fundamental aspect of interacting with the world around us. For children with sensory processing issues, everyday experiences can be overwhelming or underwhelming, affecting their behavior, learning, and social interactions. As parents, understanding sensory processing is crucial to supporting your child's development and well-being.

 

Sensory processing issues can manifest in several ways. Some children may be oversensitive to stimuli, finding certain sounds, textures, or lights unbearable. Others may be under sensitive, seeking out intense sensory experiences. Many children experience a mix of both.

 

Common signs of sensory processing issues include:

  • Extreme sensitivity to sounds, lights, or touch
  • Difficulty with balance or coordination
  • Unusual food preferences or aversions
  • Difficulty focusing or staying still
  • Meltdowns in overstimulating environments

 

Creating a sensory-friendly home environment can significantly help your child. Consider:

  • Using soft lighting and muted colors
  • Providing a quiet space for relaxation
  • Offering a variety of textured items for tactile exploration
  • Using noise-cancelling headphones when needed
  • Incorporating movement breaks throughout the day

 

Working with your child's school is crucial. Discuss your child's sensory needs with teachers and staff. Potential accommodations might include:

  • Allowing fidget tools or movement breaks
  • Providing a quiet space for test-taking
  • Using visual schedules to increase predictability
  • Allowing alternatives to cafeteria eating

 

Remember, every child's sensory needs are unique. What works for one child may not work for another. Patience, observation, and flexibility are essential as you learn to support your child's sensory needs.

 

Consider working with an occupational therapist who specializes in sensory integration. They can provide personalized strategies and activities to help your child better process sensory information.

 

Lastly, celebrate your child's unique sensory experiences. While challenges exist, sensory differences can also bring joy and unique perspectives. By understanding and supporting your child's sensory needs, you are helping them navigate the world more comfortably and confidently.

Funding for Families is Available!

VFN has two respite funds available to families who are not currently receiving respite funding from other sources. Respite is a planned break for parents or caregivers, which allows time to spend with other children, to schedule necessary appointments, or to have an opportunity to rest and recharge.

 

VFN’s Family Support Fund is for Vermont families with children up to 21 years of age who have a chronic physical, medical, or developmental condition. A family’s annual income must be at or below 500% of the Federal Poverty Level. They can access up to $1200 per grant year (maximum initial respite request is $600.)

 

This fund is made possible through a generous grant from the Vermont Department of Health’s Children with Special Health Needs (CSHN) program. It also includes Medically Necessary Supplemental Funding for families who have out-of-pocket medical expenses not covered by insurance. Please contact donia.shirley@vtfn.org for more information.

 

Our Vermont Respite Support Program is for Vermont families with children up to 19 years of age who have a chronic physical, medical, mental, or developmental condition OR:

  • are experiencing circumstances such as: homelessness, economic hardships, and/or DCF Family Services involvement
  • are suspected of a diagnosis and waiting for an evaluation
  • require health and related services of a type or amount beyond that required by children and youth generally

 

You may also be eligible if you are:

  • a parent/caregiver with a disability that has a child (up to the age of 19) living at home
  • a relative caregiver with a child(ren) living with them
  • a parent/caregiver of an adopted child(ren)

 

Families may access up to $1000 per year through a voucher reimbursement process. This fund is made possible through a generous grant from the Vermont Department of Children and Families-Child Development Division. Please contact laurel.sanborn@vtfn.org for more information.

Genetics Corner

A graphic of a rainbow colored strand of twisted DNA.

Happy August! If you or your family see a genetic specialist, one thing they might offer is genetic testing. There are a variety of types of tests and it's helpful to know what type of testing and why they are choosing that test. Both the doctor and genetic counselor can help explain why they are choosing the specific test. Below is information taken from the CDC explaining different types of testing. Check out the CDC Genetic Testing page for even more information!


Single gene: “Single gene tests look for genetic changes in only one gene. Your healthcare provider might recommend single gene testing if you or your child have symptoms of a specific condition or syndrome that is usually or always caused by changes in the same gene. Examples include Duchenne muscular dystrophy and sickle cell disease. If there is a known genetic change (mutation) in your family, your healthcare provider might recommend single gene testing to check for that change.”


Genetic testing panels (also referred to as a microarray): “Genetic testing panels look for genetic changes in many genes in the same test. Your healthcare provider might recommend a genetic testing panel if you or your child have symptoms of a disease or condition that can be caused by genetic changes in many different genes. Examples include primary immunodeficiency, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy .”


Whole exome Sequencing (WES): “looks at all the genes in the DNA (whole exome) or just the genes that are related to medical conditions (clinical exome).” A WES is looking at all the proteins in the DNA, which is about 2% of the whole genome.


Whole genome Sequencing (WGS): “is the largest genetic test and looks at all of a person's DNA, not just the genes.” WGS analyzes the entire genome, proteins, coding and non-coding regions as well as mitochondrial DNA. This is often a last line test and can be more challenging to get insurance companies to cover.


It can be daunting to see a genetics provider and to explore genetic testing - a genetic navigator is here to help you go through that process as well as provide both emotional support and informational support. Email info@vtfn.org or call 802-876-5315 to speak with Ashley about genetic navigation.

Wellness Window

Parent is cutting cucmbers while their child places them on sandwiches they are making together

Back to School -

An Opportunity to Support Independence


For many the end of August brings a return to school routines and with it an opportunity to incorporate ways to encourage our children’s independence.

 

Rome, as they say, was not built in a day. So too, independence develops through a process of small steps taken over time. Depending on the child, the steps may be smaller or take more time as confidence, skills and independence grow. One sometimes forgotten step is the parents' or caregiver’s role in providing extra time, opportunity and letting go of perfection.

 

Allow your child to make small decisions to help set the stage for bigger decisions in the future. Let them decide what to wear, how to decorate their room, pack their own lunch or order their own meal at a restaurant. Involve your child in family decisions such as meal planning, recreation and travel opportunities. It may not be your taste or in the end theirs, but taken in stride, learning to roll with an unexpected outcome is part of the learning.

 

Could they plan, shop for and prepare a simple meal? There are so many learning opportunities in this activity. Provide structure and support but let them take the lead. Scaffold the steps by first letting them plan a menu and then help them to shop, prepare and clean-up afterwards. Try giving them a part of the shopping list to find in the store independently, or possibly work as a team to prepare the meal and clean-up. When these steps need less of your support, pick a time that is not stressful and set a budget or other framework (like ensuring a meal needs a form of protein and something green) and let them try their wings!

Upcoming Events - Register today!

Free Online Workshops


August 20 at 3:00 p.m. Register for "Unpacking Vermont’s New Literacy Law, Act 139, to Teach All Students to Read"

This workshop will review the details of the May 2024 passage of Act 139, an act relating to supporting VT’s young readers through evidence-based literacy instruction, educators in both public and independent schools eligible for public tuition are required to conduct reading screening and provide evidence-based classroom instruction, intervention, and services in the five components of reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

Presenters: Dr. Dorinne Dorfman - Education Specialist in Reading and Literacy Instruction and Brittany Lovejoy - Special Educator and Literacy Tutor


September 12 at 1:00 p.m. "The Journey from School to Employment and Independent Living: How Can the Client Assistance Program (CAP) Help?"

This workshop is designed to provide parents, advocates, educators, and others with an opportunity to learn more about how to support youth with disabilities as they make the transition from school to employment and independent living. We will discuss the laws, programs, and services available to support their transition and how the Client Assistance Program (CAP) can help in that journey.

Presenters: – Sherrie Brunelle and Andrea Smith, both paralegals with Vermont Legal Aid’s Disability Law Project


Our workshops are online using the Zoom meeting platform. 

If you are unable to attend the live presentation, you can still register and we’ll send you a link to the recording of the workshop which you can watch on your own time, unless otherwise noted.


Registrations are also posted under Upcoming Events on the landing page of our website. In case you missed our last series of workshops, you can find a full list on our VFN website. Check in regularly as we add more workshops to our schedule!


We save workshops on our website and YouTube channel.

VFN Workshop Topics/Speakers Survey

We want to hear your ideas for our upcoming online workshops. What topics interest you? Are there presenters you would recommend?
Let us know your thoughts.
Complete our survey!
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