Greetings to our VFN Family and Friends.

On September 14th, the U.S. Department of Education's Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) announced a $10 million funding for the Vermont Pathways to Partnership (VT-P2P) project. This project is one of 20 nationwide initiatives focused on enhancing economic self-sufficiency for children and youth with disabilities. The VT-P2P project will run for five years, and the funding will be used to develop better systems that increase opportunities for these young Vermonters after they leave high school.

The Vermont Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired, which operates under Vermont's Agency of Human Services, Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living (DAIL), will lead the VT-P2P project. To ensure the project's success, the Vermont Agency of Education, the Vermont Center for Independent Living, and local school districts will also collaborate. By working together, these organizations will create a comprehensive program that offers Vermont youth with disabilities a wide range of opportunities to reach their full potential.

The VT P2P grant will be an essential part of a statewide effort to disseminate best practices, training, resources, and networking opportunities while promoting effective communication and collaboration across providers. VFN was identified earlier as a partner in planning for this grant and will play an integral role in deploying administrative services, coordination, communication/messaging, and leadership, in addition to training, consultation, and product development.

A major development in the project is the addition of the Puppets in Education team, which will develop content on self-advocacy for transitioning youth. Focusing on youths aged 10 to 13, we hope to develop short-form animated videos that will help explain self-advocacy and how they can begin to integrate it into their lives. The project will also debut this content in a live version performance at VFN’s conference on April 8, 2025.

From the heart,

The VFN Leadership Team

Save the Date - April 8, 2025

VFN Annual Conference

Our 2025 Annual Conference will be held on April 8, 2025 at the University of Vermont

Dudley H. Davis Center.

Stay tuned for details!

VFN is Hiring!

Join our Family Support team

VFN is hiring for the following position:

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.

Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBiS) and IDEA

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) emphasizes the need for proactive, positive, and individualized behavior supports to help children with disabilities succeed in school and prevent unnecessary discipline or exclusion. PBIS is a comprehensive, school-wide approach to create a positive and safe school climate for all children. It is not a specific practice but a framework that teaches positive behaviors and provides different levels of support based on children’s needs. Children with disabilities who may require a higher level of behavioral support through a behavior intervention plan can still benefit from universal support provided through school-wide PBiS.

Watch this VFN-sponsored workshop: What parents, Families and Caregivers Need to Know About Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports. If you have any questions regarding your child’s behavior in school or PBiS, please contact the VFN helpline at 802-876-5315 or info@vtfn.org.

Family Faculty

Through active participation in the Family Faculty Program, families have the opportunity to share their personal experiences and stories. By doing so, they can offer valuable insights and perspectives to future health and education providers across the state. This engagement serves to enhance the mutual understanding between providers and families, fostering a meaningful dialogue centered around family-focused care.

To learn more or become a Family Faculty Member contact: ashley.michaud@vtfn.org and donia.shirley@vtfn.org.

Self Advocacy

It is important for young people with disabilities to learn self-advocacy skills. By doing so, they will be empowered to speak up for themselves, understand their rights, and play a role, to the greatest extent that they can, in decisions that affect their lives. Developing these skills helps students navigate school, work, and personal relationships more effectively.

Watch this VFN-sponsored workshop: How to Become Your Own Best Advocate with Alexina Federhen, Self-Advocate, Graduate of Cornell University, Creator of the non-profit “The Feel Better Way,” and former Miss Vermont 2022, to learn about her experience of self-advocacy through school, the healthcare system and professional work.



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

News from the Puppets

Spotlight on Our Kindness Song

Kids (and adults) across the state of Vermont are familiar with Puppet in Education’s “My Body” song. It’s been used for decades to help children understand consent and body autonomy. We still use this song during our Sexual Abuse Awareness programs.

But about a year and a half ago, we decided that we needed a new song to sing with students at the end of our other shows, regardless of the topic. It was just too bad, everyone lamented, that we didn’t know a songwriter to help us out.

Just kidding! Puppeteer Kate Williams is married to a songwriter/composer, and she roped him into writing a song all about kindness.

Adam Rabin has been in multiple bands over the course of his life and plays multiple instruments. Children’s music was a first for him, but when Kate went to him with the request, he took the challenge on board. The end product is a bouncy, ear-wormy song that students love.  

The song, entitled “I Like to Be Kind,” is available free for all educators and parents to download on Bandcamp. There are two versions available. The first version is appropriate for the PK-2 crowd, and the “piano version” is meant for third grade and up. Any money earned from this song will be donated to Vermont Family Network.

If your school would like us to perform and you are able to pay for a day of shows, or if you would like to fund a day of programming at a local school, please reach out to Karen at karen.sharpwolf@vtfn.org to discuss your options.

Sibshops

The new Teens and Tweens Sibshops kick off on October 19^th !!!

Junior counselors, Zac Bordeau and Jenny Mumley give the thumbs up as the team prepares for our first Tweens and Teens Sibshops!

Tweens and Teens is a group for siblings ages 11 and older who have a brother or sister with a disability or complex health condition. The Tweens and Teens Sibs will get to bowl, play games, have a snack and connect over their shared experiences of being a sibling during the 2024-25 school year. Our Tweens and Teens groups will be held on:

• October 19^th , 2024
• January 18^th, 2025
• April 8^th, 2025

If you have a tween or teen in your household, who is interested in joining the group, please email marie.fetterhoff@vtfn.org to register for the program. There is a $10 fee for each activity.

Support Parent Training and Refresher!

If you are a Trained Support Parent or would like to be trained as a support parent please join us in person or via Zoom for combined training and refresher on:

• Wednesday, November 13^th from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at 600 Blair Park Road, Suite 240, Williston, Vermont

Those attending in person are asked to arrive 30 minutes earlier to get settled and grab a bite before the training. Parents will gather for light refreshment and participate in Support Parent Training and Refresher. Parent Match Program Trained Support Parents and new volunteers will review:



1. The Parent Match Program and Components

2. Vermont Family Network’s Mission, History and Programs

3. Confidentiality

4. Active listening

Please email marie.fetterhoff@vtfn.org to register for the November 13^th Event and indicate if you plan to attend in person or via Zoom.

Genetics Corner

Have you ever heard of a care map?

A care map is a visual representation of your family’s social network that includes family, friends, community, educational and medical resources and how they are all connected to each other. Creating a care map can be a useful activity when you are just starting out on your medical journey, adding new team members or transitioning to new care teams. Your care map visually reflects the supports, resources and challenges your family may be facing. It can be a great way to organize and explain the complexities of navigating the medical world and the impact on your family system. These are the key components of a care map but make it your own!

1. Patient or Child Profile: Central information about the individual, including name, age, medical history, and specific needs.
2. Support Systems: Identification of caregivers, family members, healthcare providers, DME, teachers, therapists, and community resources involved in the individual's care.
3. Interventions and Strategies: plans for interventions, therapies, and supports.
4. Progress Tracking: Space to note updates on progress towards goals, challenges faced, and modifications needed in the care plan.
5. Communication: Tools or notes to facilitate communication among all parties involved in the care, ensuring everyone is on the same page.

If you are interested in learning more, watch this training Care Maps: Ascending the Peaks, Navigating Valleys, and Connecting Everything in Between provided by The Mountain State Regional Genetic Network, which provides a family story, history and importance of having a care map.

Boston Children’s hospital also has Care Mapping: A How-to Guide for Patients and Families that you can read.

Reach out to Ashley if you would like to discuss your care map or need help navigating your genetic journey: Email info@vtfn.org or call 802-876-5315.

Wellness Window

Caring for the Caregiver

Being a caregiver can seem all encompassing at times. Below are some suggestions that may help when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Remember that you don’t have to do everything all at once, especially if the thought of self-care just makes you feel more exhausted.

• Be active. Find something active that you enjoy. That might be walking, dancing, gardening, or playing with a pet. Short periods of exercise can be beneficial.
• Eat well. Work on having a well-balanced diet that includes a variety of healthy foods. Drink plenty of water every day.
• Prioritize sleep. Aim to get seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Develop a relaxing bedtime routine to make it easier to fall asleep. Try to go to sleep and get up at the same time each day.
• Reduce stress. Experiment with relaxation techniques like meditation, tai chi, or yoga. Download a smartphone app with guided meditations or relaxing music. Many of these apps are free.
• Make time to relax. Carve out time each week to do something you enjoy that has nothing to do with caregiving. It can be as simple as watching a favorite TV show or movie, reading a magazine, listening to music or working on a hobby.
• Keep up with your own health. Make that doctor’s appointment you’ve been putting off. Let your doctor know you are a caregiver. They may be able to suggest additional supports.
• Reach out for support. Talk to a trusted family member or friend or seek counseling from a mental health professional if that feels right for you. Join an online or in-person support group for caregivers. These are people who will know what you’re going through and may have suggestions or advice.
• Take a break if you need it. Ask another family member or friend to step in, hire someone to come for a few hours a week to provide respite so you can have a break.  
• Be kind to yourself. You don’t have to pretend to be cheerful all the time. Feelings of sadness, frustration, and fear are normal and understandable. Express your feelings by writing in a journal or talking with a friend.

Remember that you are doing the best you can and that you are not alone. Many caregivers have trouble tending to their own well-being. Give yourself credit for everything you’re doing. Your caregiving makes a big difference in someone else’s life! (Adapted from the National Institutes of Health)

Free Online Workshops

October 24 at 1:00 p.m. "Digital Wellness Series - Workshop 1: Building Digital Resilience"

"Empowering Families in the Online World" is an online empowerment series presented by Grow Digital Skills. In this first workshop we will be sharing information on "Building Digital Resilience" which includes: Coping with online negativity; Developing a healthy relationship with technology; Encouraging offline hobbies and social connections.

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

November 14 at 1:00 p.m. "Nurturing Wellness for Parents of Children with Disabilities"

This wellness workshop is designed to provide emotional, mental, and physical support for parents of children with disabilities or special health needs. Parenting a child with disabilities can be both rewarding and challenging, requiring parents to balance care-giving responsibilities with their own well-being. Join us for this workshop which aims to equip parents with practical tools and strategies to prioritize their own health and wellness, which in turn can positively impact their ability to care for their children.

Presenter: Kheya Ganguly - Director of Trauma Prevention and Resilience Development at the State of Vermont Agency of Human Services

November 21 at 1:00 p.m. "Digital Wellness Series - Workshop 2: Digital Etiquette and Online Communication"

"Empowering Families in the Online World" is an online empowerment series presented by Grow Digital Skills. In this second workshop we will be sharing information on "Digital Etiquette and Online Communication" which includes: Teaching children about appropriate online behavior; Dealing with cyberbullying; Promoting empathy in digital interactions.

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

December 12 at 1:00 p.m. "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

January 23, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. "The Journey to Employment and Independent Living: How can 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 at Vermont Legal Aid - 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.

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