Greetings to our VFN Family and Friends.

Vermont Family Network (VFN) would like to express our sincere gratitude to all the families and partners who responded to our recent update about the federal freeze. Thanks to your engagement, we remain hopeful as we navigate the future of our work together.

As of today, VFN has not received a stop work order from our federal grant funders. While we have not yet received full clarity about the future of federal funding, we are in regular communication with our funding partners and national networks. These efforts will help to ensure that VFN can continue our work to support families of children with disabilities and special health needs. Some programs may see slight adjustments, while others will remain unchanged.

To ensure the continued success of programs like the Family-to-Family Health Information Centers and Parent Training and Information Centers, we encourage you to reach out to our Congressional Delegation. Your voice is essential in highlighting the importance of these programs for families with youth and young adults with disabilities. Your support at this moment is crucial, as we navigate key developments:

1.    Family-to-Family Health Information Centers: The funding for this program is up for re-authorization, and Congress must make a decision by March 1st or this program will end. This program includes important services like the Health Helpline and Parent Match Program.

2.    Parent Training and Information Center: This year marks a competition year for our grant application. Every five years VFN submits a grant proposal application to receive funding which is crucial for sustaining programs like the Education Helpline and our workshops. The Executive Order freezing all federal grant funding puts this critical program at risk.   

While VFN has faced similar challenges in the past, the current situation underscores the importance of advocacy. Congress holds the key to funding decisions, and constituent voices like yours sharing stories about programs that positively impact your daily life can truly make a difference. Please consider reaching out to our Vermont Congressional Delegation, and, if you’re able, federally elected officials nationwide.

Vermont Congressional Delegation Contacts:

• Senator Peter Welch https://www.welch.senate.gov/
• Senator Bernie Sanders https://www.sanders.senate.gov/
• Representative Becca Balint https://balint.house.gov/

For over 30 years, VFN has been honored to support families of children with disabilities and special health needs. Our Puppets in Education program, now in its 44th year, continues to make a meaningful impact, reaching over 8,000 children and adults annually through social-emotional puppet programs and workshops.

You play a vital role in ensuring VFN can continue this important work. Every contribution you make reflects your dedication to creating a brighter future for children with disabilities. Your support is not only financial; it sends a powerful message of kindness and hope to the families who rely on these services.

Please consider making a gift to VFN today and help us continue making a difference in the lives of so many. We deeply appreciate your ongoing support. Together, we can keep building a more inclusive and compassionate world for all.

Thank you for your dedication!

From the heart,

Michelle Kessler

Interim Executive Director

Registration is Open!

VFN Annual Conference - April 8, 2025

"Navigating Transition:

Empowering Journeys of Change"

Our 2025 Annual Conference "Navigating Transition: Empowering Journeys of Change"

will be held in-person on April 8

at the University of Vermont

Dudley H. Davis Center

from 9:00 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.

This year’s conference will focus on the intersections of education and health for children/youth with disabilities or special health needs. Health and educational professionals will engage in collaborative activities with families and youth as they examine the challenges during critical transitions throughout a child’s developmental journey. This conference promises to equip attendees with practical knowledge and essential tools through expert speakers, interactive workshops, and invaluable networking opportunities. The VFN conference aims to empower families and children/youth with disabilities or special health needs navigate their individual paths toward a brighter future.

Visit our 2025 Annual Conference page for all the details!

VFN is Hiring!

Join our Family Support team

VFN is hiring for the following positions:

Family Support Consultant - Mental Health

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.

A College Survival Guide

for Youth With Disabilities -

A Conversation with Hannah Gallivan

We are excited to share this wonderful "A College Survival Guide for Youth with Disabilities" conversation with Hannah, who is a first year student at the University of Illinois. She recorded this conversation with her mom while she was home over winter break. She wanted to share her experience and lessons learned while researching, applying to, and now attending college as a person with a physical disability. Hannah talks about how she identified which schools would be a good fit for her, what it's like living far from home, and what advice she has for other young people with disabilities who are thinking about going to college.

For more information on transitioning to adult life, call VFN Family Support at 802-876-5315 or check out our Transition Toolkit for Youth with Disabilities.

What is it?

The Special Education Navigator Program is a proposed volunteer program developed in partnership with VFN that would train volunteer navigators to work with families as they navigate the special education process on behalf of their children. It is designed to augment the existing supports available to families and provide individualized advocacy and capacity building support to families facing challenges with the special education process at their child’s school.

What are we looking for?

We are seeking 4-6 families/caregivers to provide feedback about the proposed training program for volunteers. Evaluators will participate in a selected portion of the modules, complete a pre- and post-test and provide general feedback to the developers.

How long will it take?

3.5 hours (requires at least 2 hours of in-person time)

Compensation

Participants will receive an honorarium of $50 per hour; total honorarium $175

Contact

Meagan Roy, Program Coordinator

mroy4@smcvt.edu

News from the Puppets

Our New Friendship Puppet Program

In November 2024, the puppets debuted their latest puppet program, Friendship. It was the #1 most-requested show during the 2023-2024 school year. We heard the need and spent the summer researching, developing, and writing the new program.

It became clear quickly that we need two scripts: one for younger students (PK-1) and another for older kids (2-4). In our PK-1 script, puppet friend Melody is new to school and is nervous about making friends at recess. Puppet friend Simu introduces himself and they have a conversation about making friends. They discuss confidence, empathy, and compromise.

For older students, Melody is sitting alone at recess because she had a falling out with her best friend. Simu sees her sitting alone, and joins her for a conversation about navigating conflict, the importance of having boundaries, and how to start difficult conversations.

Both scripts are built on a foundation of approaching others with kindness. We talk about everyone having a “trust cup,” and how kindness fills it up. Both scripts are also highly interactive, with the puppets calling on the students for suggestions, and everyone doing a body break in the middle. We end the show with our song, “I Like to be Kind.”

If your school has a need for our programming and is able to pay, please reach out to Karen at karen.sharpwolf@vtfn.org to discuss your options.

Genetics Corner

Rare Disease Day



Rare Disease Day 2025, observed on February 28th, is a global initiative dedicated to raising awareness about the more than 7,000 rare diseases that affect millions of people worldwide. These conditions are often life-threatening, chronic, and underfunded, with many remaining undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for years. The observance shines a light on the challenges faced by individuals with rare diseases, as well as their families, caregivers, and healthcare providers.

Each year, Rare Disease Day focuses on a different theme, bringing attention to specific issues such as early diagnosis, access to treatment, and the need for more research. In 2025, the theme encourages collaboration between medical professionals, researchers, and advocacy groups to ensure that no one is left behind in the fight against rare diseases. For more information on this year’s events check out Rare Disease Day. You will find downloadable information to share and spread awareness as well as a link to sign up for the virtual conference!

Join NORD for the Vermont Rare Action Network Rare Disease Day 2025 at a gathering in Montpelier on February 27^th at 8:00 a.m. to meet with lawmakers and share stories. Please reach out to Ashley at Ashley.michaud@vtfn.org if you are interested in learning more about Vermont’s Rare Action Network.

Wellness Window

Managing Tomorrow's Uncertainties:

A Gentle Approach

Living with special health needs often means navigating an uncertain future. While we can't eliminate all anxiety, we can build resilience through simple daily practices:

• Create a "worry window" - Set aside 15 minutes daily to acknowledge concerns. When worries arise outside this time, gently remind yourself to save them for the designated window.
• Start a "what's working" journal. Find a way to document small victories and successful coping strategies. These will become your toolkits for challenging days.
• Practice "present anchoring." When anxiety surfaces, focus on immediate sensations surrounding you: the feeling of your feet on the floor, your child's hand in yours, or the rhythm of your breathing.
• Connect with others who understand - Share experiences with families facing similar challenges. Their insights and support can help put worries in perspective.

Remember: It's okay to take things one day at a time. Your best is enough.

Free Online Workshops

February 13 at 10:00 a.m. "Demystifying Disabled Children’s Home Care (Katie Beckett)"

This webinar will dive into Disabled Children’s Home Care (DCHC) which is sometimes referred to as Katie Beckett. DCHC allows children and youth under 19 with long-term disability or complex needs to qualify for Medicaid regardless of family income. In the presentation, we will provide an overview of the program, eligibility, application process, and the resources to help along the way. This presentation may be helpful to those that would like a refresh on some of the program details and changes in the recent years.

Presenter: Kelsey Naro - Health Systems Coordinator with Children with Special Health Care Needs at the Vermont Department of Health.

March 13 at 1:00 p.m. "The Vermont Graduation Readiness Tool"

This workshop will cover the concept of the graduation readiness tool and how IEP teams, which include parents/guardians should use it. The timing of graduation for students with disabilities can be hard to determine especially for students with complex and intensive needs. This tool helps the IEP team better “see” when graduation should happen because for students on IEPs graduation is not just about meeting the graduation requirements, it is also about reasonable and appropriate access to transition services. This tool helps teams make sure students are ready to graduate.

Presenter: John Spinney - Postsecondary Transition Coordinator at the VT Agency of Education

May 1 at 1:00 p.m. "The New Adverse Effect Rule"

This session will review the State’s new Adverse Effect rule and its impact on eligibility evaluations for disability identification, as well as the provision of special education and related services.

Presenter: Ernie Wheeler - Educational Consultant at the Vermont Agency of Education

Postponed - new date TBD for "Digital Wellness Series - Workshop 3: Digital Wellness for Families"

"Empowering Families in the Online World" is an online empowerment series presented by Grow Digital Skills. In this third workshop we will be sharing information on "Digital Wellness for Families" which includes: Balancing screen time with offline activities; Setting up tech-free zones and times at home; Encouraging positive online interactions

Presenter: Emmy Hilliard - VFN Co-Director of Family Support - Health and Grow Digital Skills Coordinator

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. We appreciate when you register for our workshops as we need that data for our grant reporting.

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.

Join our closed Facebook group specifically for parents of adult children

Join our closed Facebook group

for all parents

Contact our Helpline at (802) 876-5315 or info@vtfn.org