(802) 876-5315

info@vtfn.org

Greetings to our VFN Family and Community Partners.

Supporting Families Through

Uncertain Times

These are heavy days for families. Many of us are carrying fear, grief, and uncertainty—sometimes all at once. We see you. We're carrying it too.

At Vermont Family Network, our work has always been rooted in the belief that families deserve to feel supported, informed, and safe as they navigate complex systems. That commitment doesn't waver when the world feels unstable. If anything, it becomes more essential.

It's in that spirit that we want to share information about a federal development that could affect families of children with disabilities.

Proposed Changes to Special Education Oversight

A federal effort is underway to transfer the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) from the Department of Education (ED) to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). We are watching this closely because the shift could significantly affect students with disabilities who rely on special education services. Although the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) would not change, families could still experience major impacts.

Placing special education under a health agency could blur the line between educational rights and medical services. Schools might label supports like speech or occupational therapy as "medical," making them harder to access. Families could be bounced between education and health systems, face more denials, and encounter longer complaint processes. Enforcing parental rights may become more difficult, and families could be burdened with additional paperwork and advocacy demands. Inclusion could also suffer if a health-based model shifts focus away from learning alongside peers.

Special education is an educational right - not a medical benefit. Moving oversight to HHS risks weakening enforcement, reducing educational expertise, and creating confusion for states, districts, and families. HHS does not have a background in education, and recent interagency agreements within ED have already shown signs of difficulty. States may face higher costs due to increased complaints and due process filings, and students with the greatest needs could experience the most disruption.

What We See at the Intersection of Health and Education

As Vermont's Family-to-Family Health Information Center, we work daily at the intersection of health care and education for children with special health care needs. We see how challenging it is for families to navigate these systems—different eligibility rules, different timelines, agencies that don't always communicate well.

HHS programs like Medicaid operate under medical-necessity and prior-authorization frameworks, which differ significantly from IDEA's focus on an individualized educational benefit. If OSEP moves to HHS, families may encounter even more of that medical-model thinking when trying to access supportive educational services.

Staying Informed and Engaged

Families have the right to participate in civic processes on issues that affect their children. If you want to learn more or share your perspective with policymakers, you can follow updates from the U.S. Department of Education and HHS, attend any public comment periods that are announced, or contact your federal representatives to ask questions or share your family's experience.



We'll continue providing updates as this develops. Your rights under IDEA have not changed. If you have questions about your child's services or need support navigating the system, we're here.

As Anne Lamott wrote: "Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come."

We keep showing up—for Vermont families, and alongside you.

From the heart,

The VFN Leadership Team

VFN 2026 Annual Conference

Registration is Open!

Our VFN 2026 annual conference

"Pathways Through Change: Empowering Families at Every Stage" will be held on Tuesday, April 28th between 8:30-3:30 at the

UVM Dudley H. Davis Center.

This conference is a collaborative event that brings together families, educators, and professionals who support children with disabilities and special health needs. Workshop sessions provide practical tools and information as well as the lived experience of families and youth. The conference is also an opportunity for families to connect with one another in-person and to build community. 

For more information including workshop topics and the agenda,

please visit our VFN Annual Conference page.

If you are interested in becoming a 2026 sponsor, please reach out to Joanne at joanne.fitzgerald@vtfn.org.

If you are interested in being an 2026 exhibitor, please reach out to Rachel at rachel.boyers@vtfn.org.

The Extended School Year:

Summer Services

Has your child experienced learning losses over the school year, particularly during school breaks? Would a summer program be necessary to help your child reach their educational goals? Would a summer program be necessary for your child to keep from regressing in academic/skill areas? If the answers to these questions are "yes" and your Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 team has not yet talked about the need for Extended School Year (ESY) services in the summer, you may want to schedule a meeting with your school team. It is never too soon to plan! Read VFN’s fact sheet: Extended School Year Services.

If you have any questions about your child’s IEP, your rights in the special education process, or Extended School Year, please contact the VFN helpline at 802-876-5315 or info@vtfn.org.

VFN Resource Spotlight -

Summer Camps List 2026

Looking for a summer camp that meets your child’s needs when they have a disability or special health need takes a bit more research to find the right fit.



VFN’s Summer Camp List 2026 offers a good starting point to search for something tailored to meet your child’s needs. It is by no means a complete list. We ask those of you who know of a great summer camp, please let us know!

We know the financial cost of camps is something that can be a barrier for families. A few places to explore for financial help:

1. Contact the camp directly and ask if there are any camperships you can apply for.
2. Check-in with your case manager at your local designated agency if your child is receiving developmental services and has a respite budget that could be applied towards camp tuition
3. Call your local parks and recreation department or check out their website to see what camps they offer and if financial support is available
4. Check out free summer programs at your local library
5. For families who meet income limits and have children up to age 13 who have complex health needs or disabilities, financial assistance may be available through Vermont’s Community Child Care Support Agencies: For the most current info contact your local office.

Sibshops

Sibshops Tweens & Teens Kicks Off 2026 with Escape Room Adventure

The frigid January temperatures were no match for our intrepid group of tweens! Vermont Family Network's Sibshops Tweens & Teens program launched its 2026 season at Spare Time in Colchester and we had 100% attendance from all enrolled siblings.

Sibshops is a program designed specifically for the brothers and sisters of children with special health care needs. It's a chance to connect with peers who get it, have fun, and build friendships with other kids who share similar experiences at home.

This first gathering was all about getting to know each other. The group kicked things off with Human Bingo, discovering just how much they have in common. Then came the Wild West Escape Room, which turned out to be trickier than anyone expected. 

Did they crack all the codes and escape? Not quite. But the real win was the teamwork and laughter along the way—exactly the kind of connection Sibshops is all about.

Before heading home, tweens shared ideas for future outings. Activities with movement ranked highly, and Friday evenings got the thumbs-up as the best time to gather. Stay tuned for our next adventure which is coming soon!



Interested in Sibshops for your tween or teen? Contact Sarah at sarah.morgart@vtfn.org to learn more.

Supper & Support

Thursday, February 5th

4:30–5:30 p.m.

Fletcher Free Library, Burlington

Join Vermont Family Network for dinner, connection, and a dose of empowerment. Supper & Support is part of our Leadership Café series—designed by and for families of children with disabilities and special health care needs—and this is just the first stop!

Over a shared meal, you'll learn practical tools to navigate systems and communicate with confidence, including:

• The power of your story - how to share your family's experience in a way that moves people to action
• The MESSAGE framework - a step-by-step approach for conversations with schools, doctors, and agencies
• Connection with other families who truly get it

No expertise is required. Just bring your experience, your appetite, and yourself. Free light dinner provided.

Can't make Burlington? Stay tuned—we're coming to a library near you: Rutland (Feb 10), Montpelier (Feb 24), Brattleboro (Mar 3), St. Johnsbury (Mar 24), and White River Junction (Apr 7).

RSVP to Emmy at emmy.hilliard@vtfn.org. 

It’s never too early to learn how to take care of yourself! There are many things to think about, from cooking and cleaning, to managing money. This Life Skills Checklist, created by the Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center, can help families, youth, and IEP teams to set goals that work toward attaining these skills based on each individual person and their own unique strengths and needs for support. It can be printed and used to keep track of progress.

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.

Do you want to use your family’s lived experience to improve systems that serve children and families? The Vermont Family Network Family Faculty Program offers parents and caregivers the opportunity to share their stories to educate professionals and students at the Larner College of Medicine and College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

Family Faculty members speak at panels about real-life experiences navigating health care, education, and family support systems. Your voice helps future healthcare professionals learn about the importance of family centered care. Participation is flexible and honors your time, perspective, and boundaries.

Interested in learning more? Contact Ashley by email at ashley.michaud@vtfn.org to explore whether the Family Faculty Program is right for you. Your story can help shape more family-centered services—one conversation at a time.

Family Support Fund

Respite is a planned break for caregivers. Does your child under the age of 21 have a chronic physical, medical, or developmental condition? If the answer is yes, do you receive respite funding from another organization? If not, you may be eligible for respite funding through the Vermont Family Network.

Respite funding is part of our Family Support Fund, which also includes Medically Necessary Supplemental Funding (MNSF). Our Family Support Fund is made possible through a grant from the Vermont Department of Health Children with Special Health Needs program.

Please see our flyer and/or contact Diane at diane.bugbee@vtfn.org to learn more.

News From the Puppets

The Puppet Programs

Give Children a Voice

The Anxiety workshop geared for Grades 4-6 teaches children what anxiety and stress are, how to know when it becomes a problem, and tools for managing stress through presentation, discussion, videos, activities, as well as puppets for added fun. It also gives a safe and supportive space to share what their anxieties are, and problem solve how to mitigate the stress and seek help when it becomes overwhelming.

The connections the children feel with the puppets and the presenter in a short 45 minutes are telling, and in some cases a dire necessity. At one rural school in January, a group of 4^th and 5^th Graders lined up to talk to our presenter/educator Sarah to voice their challenging stressors. They shared about feeling alone at home, scared, and unsure who they could talk to. These heartbreaking stories were met with empathy, warmth, and solutions. Sarah let these children know that these heavy burdens they bear are not their fault and the caring adults in their school will help them through these hard experiences. Puppets team works with the school to make sure these stories are reported and the children are supported by the clinical staff.



We know the work we are doing with these puppet programs is critical when a child is seen and heard. We left this school with a heavy heart, but also with the knowledge that they are receiving the help they need to change their challenging experiences.

Puppets are always here so a child does not feel alone.

We are almost fully scheduled for the school year. If your school or community needs one of our essential puppet programs, please email Sarah at Sarah.Vogelsang-Card@vtfn.org. We will work with your school to find funding, and we always find room in our schedule for a school in need.

Genetics Corner

Talking with Your Child’s Primary Care Provider (PCP)

Many families have questions about genetics—whether it’s a condition that runs in the family, a new diagnosis, developmental concerns, or simply a feeling that “something doesn’t quite fit.” If you have genetic concerns about your child, your primary care provider (PCP) is a good place to start. You don’t need to have all the answers or the right words—your questions and observations matter.

It is helpful to prepare for the conversation; before the visit, write down what you’re noticing about your child and any family health history you know, including relatives with genetic conditions, developmental differences, or unexplained health issues. It’s okay if the information is incomplete. Bringing a trusted support person can also make the conversation feel easier. The former MSRGN’s Genetic Ambassador group developed this Red Flags 4 Genetics Handout for families that can help a family and their doctor determine if a child should see a geneticist. It can also be a helpful tool to help document your concerns and observations.

After explaining your concerns, ask what next steps might look like, such as monitoring, referrals, or meeting with a genetic counselor. It’s also okay to ask for explanations in plain language and to take time to think about decisions.

Remember: you are your child’s expert. Asking questions and seeking information is an important part of caring for your family—and you don’t have to do it alone. VFN’s genetic navigator is here to help prepare for these conversations, connect families with resources and support a family through the referral process. To speak with our genetic navigator, call 802-876-5315 or email info@vtfn.org.

Wellness Window

If you've been feeling heavier than usual lately, you're not alone. Between the news cycle, policy uncertainties, and the everyday realities of caring for a child with complex needs, many families are carrying more than their share right now.

Some gentle reminders:

You don't have to carry it all today. The news will still be there tomorrow. It's okay to set it down for a bit.

Try a reset. Box breathing works wonders—breathe in for 4 counts, hold for 4, out for 4, hold for 4. Repeat a few times. Your nervous system will thank you.

Laughter is a medicine. Queue up something that makes you laugh—a favorite comedy, funny pet videos, that one friend who always cracks you up. Joy is not frivolous. It's fuel.

Move your body. Even five minutes of stretching, dancing in the kitchen, or a short walk can shift your whole mood.

Connect. Text a friend. Come to Supper & Support. We're stronger in community.

Free Online Workshops

February 10 at 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. "Behavior Threat Assessments in Schools – What Should Families Know?"

A Behavioral Threat Assessment (BTA) gathers information about, assesses and manages dangerous or violent situations in schools. All schools are required to have a trained Behavioral Threat Assessment Team. What are the steps of the BTA process? Who is responsible for carrying out the BTA? How might a BTA be used for a student on an IEP? What role does a parent have if their child is referred for a BTA? Join us for this family-friendly workshop to learn more about BTAs.

Presenter: Cammie Naylor, Staff Attorney with the Disability Law Project at Vermont Legal Aid, Inc.

March 12 at 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. "Supporting Comfort and Participation: An Introduction to 24-Hour Postural Care for Families"

This workshop introduces families, caregivers, and providers to the core ideas of 24-Hour Postural Care, a gentle, family-centered approach to positioning children and young adults with motor impairments throughout the day and night. The goal of 24-Hour Postural Care is to support comfort, body alignment, rest, and participation during everyday activities, including sitting, lying, sleeping, and moving through daily routines.

Presenter: Pamela Cummings, pediatric physical therapist and project director for the VT Early Intervention Project and 24-Hour Postural Care within the Center on Disability and Community Inclusion at UVM

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