(802) 876-5315

info@vtfn.org

Greetings to our VFN Family and Community Partners.

Last week, the President released his FY26 budget request to Congress, including a summary of the U.S. Department of Education's proposed funding. This proposal would cut total K-12 discretionary funding by $12.3 billion and reduce or eliminate nearly 70% of programs that prioritize family and community engagement. If enacted, these changes would take effect beginning October 1, 2025.



Among the programs targeted for elimination are federally funded Parent Training and Information Centers (PTICs). Vermont Family Network (VFN) has proudly served as Vermont’s PTIC since 1992, supporting thousands of families of children with disabilities and special health needs as they navigate special education services. Our education helpline, workshops, and guidance help families understand their rights and advocate for their children’s needs. PTICs have been vital in building partnerships between schools and families and improving outcomes for students. Losing this funding could adversely impact families’ abilities to understand their rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

These proposed budget cuts would also eliminate funding for Family-to-Family Health Information Centers (F2F HICs), including VFN’s role as Vermont’s F2F HIC. These programs offer essential support to families navigating increasingly complex healthcare systems, understanding insurance coverage, and connecting with peers. Losing this funding would strip away critical lifeline supports for families managing their children’s complex medical and health needs.

Of further concern is the way the budget reshapes special education funding. While maintaining overall funding for IDEA ($15.5 billion), it consolidates many programs—including PTICs and other national activities—into state grants. This shift means states could reallocate these funds to other approved activities, potentially defunding long-standing, effective programs that directly support families. When paired with reductions to federal staffing, which provide oversight and ensure program compliance, this consolidation threatens to diminish federal accountability and responsiveness to all families.

What makes these cuts especially troubling is how they’re being presented. Though framed as a move to “empower parents, states, and communities,” this budget proposal—in alignment with a recent Executive Order to dramatically shrink the U.S. Department of Education—actually undermines the bipartisan value of family and community engagement. By eliminating key programs and oversight, it weakens the very partnerships that help students thrive.

A Call to Action: What can you do?

Contact your Members of Congress. Even those who support these programs need to hear from constituents to advocate effectively in Washington. Make your voice heard:

U.S. Senate

Bernie Sanders

Peter Welch

U.S. House of Representatives

Becca Balint

Want to learn more about how you can get involved?

Check out this free online course from Harvard University: We the People: Civic Engagement in a Constitutional Democracy.

Together, we can protect the programs and supports that empower families and strengthen our communities.

With gratitude,

The Vermont Family Network Team

Lunch and Learn Opportunity!

Supporting Multiple Transitions:

A Youth Perspective

Transitioning to adulthood is an exciting time, but it can also bring different challenges, particularly for youth with disabilities and their families. 

On June 17 from 12:15-1:00pm, Vermont Family Network and the Vermont Child Health Improvement Program (VCHIP) are co-sponsoring a discussion with a young adult advisor who will share her experience navigating multiple transitions, including attending college out of state and managing her own health care needs. We hope you can join us!

Sibshops 2024-25 Year in Review

News From the Puppets

School's Out for Summer!

The puppets performed their last presentation of the 2024-2025 school year on May 29th. Here are some interesting stats, stories, and tidbits from our year.

We reached just over 7,000 people this year, through 126 performances at 33 different locations. We had 881 adults and 6,211 children see one of our presentations.

Our most-performed puppet presentation this year was our new Friendship puppet program, with half of this year’s schools requesting this topic. Anxiety was our second-most performed presentation.

After four years, we retired our Kindness & Stress puppet program. A combination of our Anxiety and Bullying Prevention scripts, it served an important role during and just after the pandemic.

In between presentations, the Worry Octopus had a lovely conversation with a student. “Can I ask the octopus a question?” a third-grade student asked. “Mr. Octopus, why do you want to be so worried all the time? Well, if you have anything to worry about, I can definitely help you. Are we friends?” Mr. Octopus replied that they were friends. The octopus and the student then shared a hug, and the student later asked us if we wanted to go to their birthday party.

On our last day of presentations, a third-grade teacher came up to us between shows and said, “That was amazing! I’ve never seen the whole third grade so engaged. They were still talking about it on the way out. The kids who asked the most questions were the ones who struggle with anxiety the most.”

It’s been an amazing year of puppet presentations, and we can’t wait to do it all over again in the fall!

Eligibility for an Individualized Education Program (IEP) starts with an initial special education evaluation. There are timelines around this process. Initial special education evaluations must be completed within 60 calendar days of when a parent’s written consent is received by the school district. School break, including summer vacation, cannot be used as an acceptable reason under Vermont’s delay in evaluation rule unless the school can document that the student was not made available for the evaluation over the summer vacation months. 

If you have questions about your child’s IEP, the special education evaluation or how to build a more collaborative partnership with your child’s school, contact the VFN helpline at 802-876-5315 or info@vtfn.org.

Parent Matches at VFN

Raising a child with a disability or special health need can sometimes feel overwhelming and isolating—but you don’t have to go through it alone. Through Vermont Family Network’s Parent Match Program, we connect families with others who have walked a similar path. These experienced parents understand the unique challenges and everyday victories you may be facing because they’ve been there too. They won’t offer one-size-fits-all advice, but they will offer empathy, encouragement, and a listening ear. Whether it's swapping helpful tips, sharing what’s worked for them, or simply being a reassuring presence, matched parents can make this journey feel less lonely and more manageable. Building these connections often brings exactly the kind of understanding and support families need, especially when navigating the early stages of a diagnosis or a new challenge.



VFN is a member of Parent to Parent USA .

If you would like to be matched with another parent in a similar situation, or become a trained support parent volunteer, contact marie.fetterhoff@vtfn.org or call (802) 404-2985.

Genetics Corner

Finding ways to advocate and work towards change in the healthcare system and rare disease and condition space is becoming increasingly essential. It can be hard to know where to start and also intimidating to raise your voice and awareness to the causes that are important to you and your family.

One of the most significant things that you can do is craft your family story and share it! Global Genes has a great toolkit filled with ideas and actionable steps! There are local opportunities to share your story through VFN’s family faculty programs. Vermont is also in the process of starting a rare disease advisory council. This will give rare disease patients a voice in state government policies and critical issues affecting the rare disease community. The H.46 bill related to the Rare Disease Advisory Council has been passed by the House and is currently in the state senate. The National Organization for Rare Disorders NORD has more information if you would like to learn more or become involved in local and national advocacy work. Everyday Life Foundation has a plethora of information and advocacy opportunities; navigate to their resources tab and then look for the advocacy toolkit drop down menu.

Your experience matters, and your voice is powerful—whether you're sharing your story on social media, attending conferences and networking with others who have similar experiences, or contacting your local, state, or congressional representatives, it all makes a difference.

To speak with VFN’s genetic navigator or to learn more about family faculty please call 802-876-5315 or email ashley.michaud@vtfn.org.

Wellness Window

Welcome Summer!

As the last week of school arrives here in Vermont, many families are feeling a mix of emotions—excitement for summer freedom, anxiety about routine changes, and perhaps relief that another school year is complete. For families navigating special health needs, transitions can feel especially big.

Remember that it's perfectly normal for both children and parents to feel unsettled during this shift. Some gentle reminders for the Summer season ahead: celebrate the small victories from this school year, allow extra time for processing emotions, and don't hesitate to maintain familiar routines even as schedules change.

Summer doesn't have to be perfectly planned. Sometimes, the most fulfilling moments happen in the quiet spaces between activities—reading together on the porch, taking evening walks when the air is cool, or simply being present with each other without the pressure of structured days. Enjoy the season ahead! 

Free Online Workshops

June 24 at 3:00 p.m. "Vermont’s Education Transformation: Impacts and Opportunities for Special Education"

The Vermont legislature has spent the majority of the session on sweeping education transformation proposals. These proposals impact both the delivery and funding of public education in Vermont, and have unique implications for special education. Join us to learn about the latest in this education transformation legislation, with an emphasis on how this might impact special education in our State. Participants will also receive updates on change to the Federal Department of Education and Vermont’s response to the uncertainty.

Presenter: Meagan Roy, Ed.D. - Coordinator of School Leadership Programs at Saint Michael's College

July 24 at 1:00 p.m. "Providing a Free Appropriate Public Education During Staffing Shortages"

During this workshop, the VT Agency of Education will review guidance designed to support Supervisory Unions and Districts (SU/SDs), as well as parents and families, in making equitable and individualized decisions about appropriate special education and related services for eligible students and children (ages 3 to 21 under IDEA and Section 504) when facing shortages of essential special education staff. Recognizing that the absence of essential personnel can create significant hurdles for families and schools, this session, led by the VT Agency of Education, will provide a comprehensive review of newly developed and existing guidance.

Presenter: Cassie Santo - State Director of Special Education at VT AOE

July 29 at 2:00 p.m. "Executive Functioning: 5 Powerful Shifts To Move From Chaos to Calm"

Your child's brain has a "control center" that helps them think before acting, pay attention, adapt to changes, and find solutions. But some children struggle to develop this control center naturally, and that can turn simple daily activities into ongoing battles for the whole family. In this presentation, you'll discover 5 powerful shifts that any parent can make, no matter what age your child is. These aren't complicated techniques or expensive programs. They're practical changes you can start using right away to help your child build these crucial skills. And the best part? These strategies work whether you have a preschooler, a teenager, or anything in between.

Presenter: Natalie Raby - certified parent coach

August 14 at 1:00 p.m. "Being the Anchor for Your Child: Staying Calm in the Storm of Big Emotions"

When emotions run high at home, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or unsure of how to respond. This workshop offers foundational parenting skills to help you stay calm, connected, and confident—even in the most challenging moments. You’ll learn simple strategies to defuse and de-escalate situations without harming your relationship with your child, ways to repair after conflicts, and techniques to build stronger positive connections. Whether you're feeling stuck or just want to strengthen your parenting toolkit, this session will help you understand that you’ve got this—your presence matters, and with the right tools, you can guide your child through emotional storms and change the course of their challenging behavior.

Presenter: Greeta Soderholm, LICSW, LACD - VT Center for Children, Youth and Families

August 28 at 10:00 a.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

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