Greetings to our VFN Family and Friends.

“March is the month of expectation.”

– Emily Dickinson

Despite the early mud season, the sun is shining at Vermont Family Network as we are full of excitement and expectation!  We are thrilled to have new colleagues engaging in our work at VFN. In January, Emmy Hilliard (Co-Director, Family Support-Health), Brianna Underwood (Policy & Advocacy), and Karlie Kauffeld (Puppets) joined us with their energy and expertise. Collectively, they bring a wealth of knowledge in health needs, technology, law, restorative justice, and music education. In February, we were joined by Donia Shirley (Family Support Consultant-Health/Family Engagement) who returns to Vermont with years’ experience in advocacy, family engagement, complex health conditions, and DeafBlind. Previously, Donia was the Florida state liaison for the CHARGE Syndrome Foundation, supporting families within the state by connecting them to State DeafBlind project and now serves in this role as the State Liaison for Vermont. Donia is in her second term as Vice President of the National Family Association for DeafBlind (NFADB) and has served on the board since October 2020. Additionally, this month we are welcoming our new Director of Operations & Planning, Michelle Kessler, who comes with dozens of years in finance, human resources, strategic planning, compliance, and grants management. These enthusiastic people join our dedicated, passionate VFN staff who are unsung heroes in the impactful work they do in education, mental health, health, and puppetry. I am so proud to be a part of this organization and work with colleagues who commit each day to statewide service and support.

We are also full of expectations regarding our upcoming Annual Conference! Our 2024 Annual Conference “Change Begins with You – Using Your Voice to Make a Difference" is coming up on April 2nd. Our featured presenter, Amy Shollenberger, from Action Circles will provide a full day, in-depth, interactive training on advocacy, the legislative process, and telling your story! We hear time and time again from legislators, state agencies, health care providers, school-based professionals and so many others that the best way to make change is to use your voice and tell your story! Our conference will inspire you to do just that, and you will receive the tools you need to get started (or get revitalized) and experience a network of support to encourage your efforts! Join us for this wonderful event and share your stories with others with lived experience.

May your March be filled with expectations and excitement! Let’s stay connected!

From the heart,

Jacqui

Last Chance to Register!

VFN Annual Conference

April 2, 2024

“Change Begins with You – Using Your Voice to Make a Difference”

Registration closes

March 17th!

Our 2024 Annual Conference will be held on April 2, 2024, at the UVM Davis Center from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. This year our event will begin with a welcome from VFN’s Executive Director, Jacqui Kelleher and former South Burlington State Representative to the VT House, Maida Townsend, will kick off our day with opening remarks. We will then welcome our featured presenter, Amy Shollenberger, from Action Circles. Amy has more than 20 years of experience developing political strategy, grassroots organizing, influencing policy, and running political issue campaigns. Amy will provide a full day, in-depth, interactive training on advocacy. Topics include:

• Legislative Process 101
• Strategic Thinking for the Legislative Process
• Telling Your Story to Share in a Way That Is Heard

There will also be an opportunity for attendees to visit exhibit tables, network, and chat over breakfast and lunch. If you cannot attend in-person, please register for our livestream option.

Scholarships are still available! Please email martha.frank@vtfn.org if you are interested.

Please help spread the word to colleagues, friends and families!

We hope to see you all there for this engaging training!

Many Thanks to this year's sponsors!

Platinum Level

• Children with Special Health Needs at the Vermont Department of Health

Gold Level

• HireAbility Vermont

Silver Level

• College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Vermont
• SD Associates
• University of Vermont Health Network

Bronze Level

• Northwestern Counseling and Support Services
• Vermont Children’s Integrated Services – Early Intervention
• University of Vermont Center on Disability and Community Inclusion
• Vermont Department of Labor
• Vermont Developmental Disabilities Council
• Building Bright Futures
• Rutland Regional Medical Center

If you are interested in being an exhibitor at our 2024 annual conference, please contact rachel.boyers@vtfn.org.

Our sponsors and exhibitors provide invaluable financial aid and informational resources for families. Thank you for your support!

Join Our Board of Directors!

Vermont Family Network is seeking individuals to participate in our Board of Directors, who oversee and guide our organization’s programs, development, and operations. VFN is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower and support all Vermont children, youth, and families, especially those with disabilities or special health needs. We do this by giving a strong start, lifting family voices, and advancing inclusive communities. If you are interested, please complete this application.

VFN Family Support vs Advocates

VFN’s Education Helpline is one of VFN’s busiest programs! Our Family Support Consultants (FSC) record thousands of contacts from families and professionals annually. Many families initially ask for an advocate. VFN FSC are not advocates. We do not “plead the cause of another.” (Merriam-Webster def.) Instead, VFN FSC support and encourage parents to educate and empower themselves to effectively advocate for their own children. Because our goal is to empower families, VFN FSC do not generally accompany parents to Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings. Based on staff availability and with enough advance notice to allow for proper meeting preparation, VFN may provide direct IEP meeting support. VFN FSC do not attend IEP meetings without first speaking with the family. We also do not attend IEP meetings virtually or in-person if the family has a supporting person in attendance who is providing advocacy or legal assistance. Please read our Technical Assistance and In-Person Support and Advocacy. 



If you have questions about the VFN helpline, please contact us at 802-876-5315 or info@vtfn.org.

Have you Ever Wondered About Being a

Trained Support Parent?

After completing our two short training sessions you will be ready to connect with other parents in similar situations and support their own journey. We have two upcoming options for the live Zoom portion of the Support Parent training:



• Thursday, April 11, 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 17, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

The 2- Part training is short and easy (A 2-hour Zoom training and a self-guided PowerPoint). Parent matches do not require much time. The average trained support parent texts and emails a few times with the referred parent and speaks on the phone once or twice. Requests to serve as a trained support parent are sporadic, and can be infrequent to a few times a year, depending on the specific diagnosis or condition that is requested. A trained support parent always has the option to say, “I am too busy to take this on right now.”

You do not have to be an expert. Being able to listen with compassion and maintain confidentiality are the most important skills. You are never alone. VFN match facilitators are available to support any questions that arise. Volunteering as a trained support parent makes a huge difference to a parent who is experiencing a new diagnosis, bump in the road, or transition, etc. Referred parents report that just being able to connect with another parent “who gets it” reduces their stress and anxiety.

Please consider being a trained support parent, as one parent to another, your listening ear can make a huge difference. Questions or to register for the upcoming training, contact Marie.fetterhoff@vtfn.org.

IEP Transition Planning with Outside Agencies

Many young adults with disabilities will need employment and community supports and services in adulthood. IDEA entitlement to educational services is only in place until your child graduates from high school. It is therefore important for agencies and organizations that provide adult services to be invited to your child’s IEP meetings when the topic is transition to adulthood. While there is no specific timeline for when adult service organizations can become involved in the student’s transition planning, it is best to plan early. These partners can bring invaluable information for developing a meaningful person-centered transition. Sometimes, these agencies can provide services prior to graduation. Examples of partners are HireAbility, Developmental Disabilities Service Providers,and VT Council for Independent Living. 



Please contact our Family Support Consultants at Vermont Family Network at 802-876-5315 or info@vtfn.org if you have questions about the transition plan in your high schooler’s IEP. Check out VFN’s Transition Toolkit for Youth with Disabilities for more information.

Funding for Families is Available!

VFN has two respite funds available to families who are not currently receiving respite funding from other resources. 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 joanne.wechsler@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.

News from the Puppets

The puppets have made it to March! It has been a whirlwind so far, with the puppet van traveling all over Vermont. In February, we started our New York shows, and we’ll be continuing those long drives for the next couple months.

We thought it might be interesting to look at some mid-school year numbers and share our findings with you.

• As of February 15^th, we have reached 2,855 kids and 391 adults!
• As of February 22^nd, we have visited 23 schools.
• So far, we have performed the Bullying Prevention puppet program 31 times at 12 schools, making it our most requested program this year.
• We have sung our new kindness song 68 times.

Speaking of our new song, if you’re interested in hearing it, please check it out on Bandcamp. It is free for use for all educators, and any payments made will be donated to Vermont Family Network.

Finally, we wanted to share a couple quotes from some of the many educators we’ve reached while going to the schools:

• “Bridport Central School students don’t always have the experiences and opportunity that other schools in the district have. Our students don’t often get to get out of this small area and have exposure to diverse situations. Thank you!” - School Counselor
• “I feel like puppets are such a great way to grab and hold student attention and deliver uncomfortable topics in a way they can unpack.” - Instructional Coach

We have 22 schools remaining on our calendar for the rest of the school year and will be performing until the end of May. We’ve already been on so many great adventures. Here’s to many more!

Genetics Corner

Welcome to March!

Mark your calendars and register for the annual New England Regional Genetics Network meeting on April 4^th and 5^th. This is a free, virtual meeting and the first day is a day of information geared towards families and is family-led.

If you are looking for more information about a genetic condition, NERGN has a resource called GEMSS - Genetic Education Materials for School Success. GEMSS provides a family-friendly starting point to help family members learn more about genetic conditions and offers ideas to encourage inclusion and participation in the classroom. GEMSS shares condition-specific information and resources for multiple audiences, including families, professionals, healthcare providers, and schools. Contributors to GEMSS come from clinical, public health, advocacy, and academic settings. All content has been vetted by clinical and family experts.

NERGN is also looking for people to complete the Newborn Screening in New England Survey. Your contribution to this public health research is much appreciated!

As always, please reach out to VFN’s genetic navigator at info@vtfn.org if you or someone you know needs help navigating a genetic diagnosis.

Wellness Window

Protect your families’ peepers! 

The April 8^th Total Solar Eclipse is a once in a lifetime opportunity… but stay safe! As exciting as the solar eclipse may be, there are important safety concerns to follow to protect your vision, if you choose to view the eclipse. 

Here is a list of places that offer events/information for safely viewing the eclipse. 

• On Monday, March 18 from 5:30 – 6:30p.m., the Brownell Library at 2 Lincoln Street in Essex Junction, will host a presentation by the Vermont Astronomical Society. It will cover information on the Sun, dates and times of the eclipse, why eclipses happen, where to look and what to expect and SAFE Solar Viewing. They will also make a solar eclipse viewer after the presentation. For ages 7 & up, including teens and adults.

• State of Vermont – Eclipse Info pages (many languages available)

• The ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain is hosting a multi-day eclipse festival at the museum in downtown Burlington. This is a ticketed event, so be sure to book your visit early! 

• The Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, is hosting a weekend-long eclipse celebration. Explore their events leading up to the eclipse and spend your day with their experts and educators at the planetarium for Sun+Moon+You. You can also join from anywhere by tuning in to Vermont.  

Just an FYI, thousands of spectators will be coming into VT for this special event. If you plan to travel, expect a high volume of traffic and plan ahead with snacks, etc!

Free Workshops

March 14 at 10:00 a.m. Register for "New Genetic Connections: Introduction to Genetics, Red Flags and Resources - Part Two"

This two-part workshop will explore four case studies and go over what the red flags are that families and professionals should consider when referring to a genetic specialist. It will also discuss how a genetic navigator might assist in this process as well as other local, regional, and national genetic resources. This webinar will benefit those who are navigating a genetic diagnosis, and those hoping to understand more about the basics of genetics.

Presenter: Ashley Michaud - Genetic Navigator for Vermont Family Network

March 21 at 1:00 p.m. Register for "Chronic Absenteeism, Truancy and Educational Neglect"

What is the difference between Chronic Absenteeism, Truancy and Educational Neglect? What should you expect when your child is unable or unwilling to attend school? Join our presenters from the state as they discuss the current process for the school and state response when students are not at school for periods of time. They will also talk about how families and schools can help children to return to schools.

Presenters: - Alicia Hanrahan - Education Programs Manager/Interagency Coordinator, Family and Educator Support Programs, VT AOE, Heather Willis-Doxee - State Director of Special Education, Student Support Services Team, VT AOE, and Lindy Boudreau, Juvenile Justice Director, VT DCF

April 15 at 11:00 a.m. Register for "Accessibility in College After High School: Knowing Your Needs, Understanding the Process, and Who to Talk To"

There are a lot of unknowns when making the transition from high school to college. This presentation hopes to reduce some of the mystery as it relates to receiving services for students with disabilities. We will review the differences between accommodations in high school and college as well as general processes and best practices for pursuing access.

Presenters: Marie Frietze - ADA Resource Coordinator and Angie Albeck - Associate Dean of Students, both at the Community College of Vermont

May 14 at 1:00 p.m. Register for "Sharing Information with Siblings"

Join us for a panel discussion with parents and adult siblings about their experiences discussing disability, challenges, benefits, and everything in between! Emily Holl, Director of the Sibling Support Project, will provide tips for sharing key information at different stages of life with young siblings, teens, and adults to create positive outcomes for the entire family. Presenter: Emily Holl - Director of the Sibling Support Project

If you are unable to attend, you can still register and we’ll send you a

recording of the workshop which you can watch on your own time.

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. Stay tuned as we add more workshops to our schedule!

We save workshops on our website and YouTube channel.

Upcoming Events

April 2, 2024 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. VFN 2024 Annual Conference "Change Begins with You - Using Your Voice to Make a Difference"

Our featured presenter, Amy Shollenberger from Action Circles, will provide a full day, in-depth interactive training on advocacy. Topics include:

• Legislative Process 101
• Strategic Thinking for the Legislative Process
• Telling Your Story to Share in a Way That Is Heard

Amy has more than 20 years of experience developing political strategy, grassroots organizing, influencing policy, and running political issue campaigns. She has worked on a variety of campaigns, ranging in scope from local community issues to state and national issues. She started Action Circles in 2010 and along with the Action Circles Team has served clients and offered training ever since.

There will also be an opportunity for attendees to chat and network over breakfast and lunch.

Register Today!

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for all parents

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