Strong Families. Strong Futures. |
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Greetings to our VFN Family and Friends!
This month I would like to feature the importance of Family Support, which is one of the major offerings families can obtain through Vermont Family Network. When my identical twins were 19-months old, our world fell apart. For these dimpled, blue-eyed babies who were funny, mischievous, annoying to their older sisters, hitting all their developmental milestones, and chatting up a storm... everything stopped. They became almost catatonic and mere shells of themselves seemingly overnight. Their words ceased. They were listless, lethargic, unresponsive, and seemed not to recognize who we were. We had to force them to eat. We could not get them to engage. When they started to walk again, the twins had a stiff gait and began a repetitive back and forth rotation on tip toe across the hallway, with jerky, rapid, uncontrolled arm rhythms and splayed fingers. They were silent, except for the sudden bursts of screaming as if in agonizing pain.
We began navigating the healthcare system, overwhelmed by its complexity and panicked by either the lack of answers or early speculations. We were distraught. We were anxious. We were terrified. We felt isolated and alone. We did not have access to fiscal or support resources. This was over 23 years ago in another state and we did not have a Vermont Family Network that we knew about or had been directed toward.
When I learned about Vermont Family Network a few years ago in my role as State Director of Special Education, I was floored by the Family Support Program. This is the place you can go to as a family when you receive or are trying to receive that clinical diagnosis or educational eligibility determination, and literally fall into a Family Support Consultant’s virtual or physical arms; a person who gets what you are going through from personal experience, and just say, “I don’t know where to start.” The Family Support Consultants can surround you with support, match you with a mentor, help you navigate health/mental health/education systems and paperwork, show you resources you may not be aware about, and consult with you on information you are hearing. They’ve been there. They get it. They’ve got you. I also appreciate that our Family Support Consultants practice in a way that empowers family members – they know parents are the experts on their child and are the fiercest advocates; they educate, inform, and coach so that parents have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to ensure parents are getting the answers they need and advocating for the treatment and services their child deserves (and is likely entitled to under the law).
When a Vermont family is experiencing challenging times related to a child or children with disabilities or special health needs, there is help. Families, regardless of their Vermont zip code, do not have to walk this path alone. Family support and engagement are key ingredients in improving a positive trajectory of learning, development, health, and wellness outcomes. Vermont families have access to Family Support Consultants by way of Vermont Family Network. If you or someone you know would find it helpful to talk to someone about your concerns over child development or your child’s diagnosis or eligibility determination, please consider our no cost Family Support services. We are here to help.
From the heart,
Jacqui
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VFN 2023 Annual Conference
"Inclusion and Well-Being"
Registration closes March 31st!
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Our 2023 Annual Conference “Inclusion and Well-Being” will be held on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at the University of Vermont (UVM) Dudley H. Davis Center from 9:00-1:00 p.m. Attendees are invited to register separately and stay from 1:30-4:30 p.m. for a free public film event with Dan and Samuel Habib. The film event is hosted by the UVM Center on Disability and Community Inclusion (CDCI) also at the UVM Davis Center.
This year our new Executive Director, Dr. Jacqui Kelleher and Vermont Agency of Education guests, Betty Roy and Cassie Santo will start off our day talking about Building Inclusive Systems. They will provide practical tips and strategies and highlight how inclusive systems and practices have positive impacts on the well-being of children, youth and their families and professionals who serve them. We will then welcome our featured presenter, Dr. Joelle van Lent, who will focus on the well-being and resilience of caregivers, families and helping professionals. This presentation will offer fascinating information about how we are impacted in positive ways through caring roles, as well as our risk for negative impact. Participants will learn practical strategies that can be used to buffer impact and increase the resilience of the care provider.
For the afternoon, VFN Conference attendees can register separately here and stay for the UVM Center on Disability and Community Inclusion film event which is free and open to the public. In this event, Dan and Samuel Habib will share two films including their new short film “My Disability Roadmap” and discuss how they have tried to build a culture of inclusion in their family, school district, and community, as well as plan for a full adult life as Samuel enters his 20’s.
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For the most up to date information including an agenda,
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Grant Funds Available!
Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism
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Vermont Family Network is pleased to announce that we have received a $12,500 grant from the Doug Flutie Jr., Foundation for Autism. These funds will provide direct financial support to families with autism. Families who have children (from birth to age 22) with an autism diagnosis may request up to $200 for needed equipment, respite, camp, therapies, emergency childcare, or to attend a conference related to their child's diagnosis.
We encourage families from rural areas (e.g. Bennington, Essex, Orleans and Windham counties) to apply. First time applicants will be prioritized for receiving a grant. One grant per household.
The Doug Flutie Jr., Foundation for Autism based in Framingham MA, awards grants annually through a competitive application and review process. The signature grants that the Flutie Foundation distributed this year support traditionally under-served, under-funded, culturally diverse communities reflected in the Foundation’s area of interest by providing a path for educational and vocational skills, supporting recreational and active lifestyles, and ensuring people with autism are safe, supported and informed.
Please visit Get Support to complete an application. We will begin dispersing grants in early March. If you have questions or need support in completing an application, please email laurel.sanborn@vtfn.org or call 802-876-5315.
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The New England Regional Genetics Network (NERGN) supports family-led organizations such as Vermont Family Network, physicians, and genetic counselors in New England. VFN partners with families, the Department of Health, UVMMC Children’s Hospital and the New England Regional Genetics Group (NERGG), by identifying and addressing genetic-related service challenges experienced by families. Our goal is to improve the quality and delivery of coordinated genetic services in our state. With a particular emphasis on medically underserved populations, the role of NERGN is to connect families to genetic services, implement quality improvement activities, implement innovative models of telehealth and telemedicine and provide resources to genetic service providers, public health officials and families.
The NERGN Annual Meeting will take place virtually on April 4th and 5th. This meeting is open to families and professionals and is free! Visit their website to view the agenda and to register. For more information about genetics, contact Family Support at info@vtfn.org or (802) 876-5315.
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VFN Family Support vs Advocates |
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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 definition) 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.
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Hello Friends!
February may be a short month full of snow, but that didn’t stop the Puppet Mobile from packing on the miles! We started out the month by heading over to New York State for shows at McNulty Academy (courtesy of Mangino Chevrolet) and Boght Hills Elementary School (courtesy of DeNooyer Chevrolet). Just a few days later, we were at Johnson Elementary School (courtesy of the Vermont Children’s Trust Foundation). All three schools received our Kindness & Stress puppet programs.
That seems like a lot, but it only brings us to mid-February! After that, we were back in New York for a day of Kindness/Bullying Prevention shows at Skano Elementary (courtesy of Mohawk Chevrolet). Just two days later, we were down in Bennington for a range of shows (Kindness & Stress, the Anxiety Workshop, and the Sexual Abuse Awareness programs) for the Village School of North Bennington, courtesy of Bennington Chevrolet. We ended the month racing a snowstorm to Jay/Westfield Elementary School for a morning of Kindness & Stress programming, partially funded by the National Life Group Foundation. Whew!
Here are just a few memorable quotes from our travels:
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“If you see someone doing mean things, you can go tell a grownup that you see mean things.” - Kindergarten student, Skano Elementary
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“Can you come back in the spring?” - Johnson Elementary student
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“That was the best play ever!” - Kindergarten student, Village School of North Bennington
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“The show was great, very encouraging, enthusiastic, and great information in helping the kids handle their emotions and anxiety.” - 2nd grade teacher, McNulty Academy
This March, the puppets continue their sprint into spring with shows in Winhall, Morrisville, Underhill, Fair Haven, and New York State. We still have a waitlist of schools looking for help to fund a day of programming. If you’d like to help one of these schools, help a school in your area, or have inquiries about booking us for the 2023–24 school year, please contact Karen Sharpwolf at karen.sharpwolf@vtfn.org.
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IEP Transition Planning
with Outside Agencies
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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.
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Vermont Family Network (VFN) is seeking Support Parent volunteers! If you are at a point in your parenting journey where you are ready to support another family, please consider becoming a trained VFN Support Parent with our Parent Match Program.
Through a one-to-one “match,” experienced Support Parents offer emotional support to families and assist them in finding information and resources. Over the years, VFN has made hundreds of parent matches, and we hear from parents again and again about how helpful it was to talk with another parent who has “been there.”
Our Support Parent Training is delivered in 2 parts. In Part 1, we share our Power Point training slides (through email), along with a questionnaire that will ensure participant’s understanding of the material. Part 2 involves joining a Support Parent Zoom gathering, for discussion about the Parent Match process, review of necessary skills, and sharing of family stories. These zoom gatherings are scheduled for every other month, so parents can choose a date and time that works best.
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Did you know…
- It takes roughly 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of maple syrup.
- Vermont produces roughly 50% of the United States maple syrup crop.
- Vermont made 2.5 million gallons of maple syrup in 2022!
- Cold nights and warm spring days activate and encourage the flow of sap.
Try these Fun Ideas to celebrate maple sugaring season in Vermont:
- Visit a Sugar House to see how maple syrup is produced.
- Try some Sugar on Snow!
- Have your child look for trees being tapped while you are driving.
- Check out library books about maple sugaring in Vermont.
- Sweeten your coffee or hot cocoa with maple syrup; or make maple popcorn!
To find recipes, special events, or a Maple Sugarhouse near you, visit Vermont Maple.org.
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We are currently seeking applicants for the following position:
A part-time Family Support Consultant - Mental Health (Outside of Chittenden County) to provide family centered information, referrals, and assistance to families of children with special health needs, individuals, and professionals individually over the phone and in person, and through trainings and workshops. The Mental Health specialist supports families whose children are experiencing mental health or emotional behavioral issues.
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Vermont Family Network
is now on Instagram!
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It is official! We are now on Instagram!
Use the QR code or use the link below
to give us a follow.
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Upcoming Events - Register today! |
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Upcoming Events
The Agency of Education is interested in hearing from parents/families who have interacted with the AOE because of their child experiencing a restraint, seclusion, or exclusionary discipline. VFN has been asked to bring together a virtual meeting of these parents/families to hear about their experiences and to receive feedback on both the Agency’s and the school district’s practices and procedures for improvement purposes. Please join us for this candid conversation on the family perspective. VFN will host and we will be joined by Agency staff who are working to improve the process for Vermont children, youth, and families.
Our 2023 Annual Conference “Inclusion and Well-Being” will be held on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at the University of Vermont (UVM) Dudley H. Davis Center from 9:00-1:00 p.m. Attendees are invited to register separately and stay from 1:30-4:30 p.m. for a free public film event with Dan and Samuel Habib. The film event is hosted by the UVM Center on Disability and Community Inclusion (CDCI) also at the UVM Davis Center.
Free Workshops
In this workshop, presenters will share information about the JOBS Program which provides comprehensive case management, therapeutic services, and employment support for adolescents and young adults (ages 16-21 years) who are experiencing mental health challenges. The program helps youth find and maintain employment, while developing independent living skills to live successfully in the community. JOBS is a collaboration between Spectrum Youth and Family Services and HireAbility (formerly known as Vocational Rehabilitation.)
Presenters: Kara Haynes - HireAbility Transition Program Associate Manager, Laura Flint – VT Dept. of Mental Health Senior Evidence-Based Practices Evaluator and Supported Employment Services, and Tara Howe – HireAbility Transition Program Manager
This workshop is for individuals with disabilities, family members and anyone that supports transitions. We will explore how mapping helps with navigating transitions. We will go over features of maps and transitions in general and then apply mapping to the context of transitions. There are many types of maps and many types of transitions. Let's explore how to develop and use maps as tools for our transitions!
Presenter: Jayson Capobianco, Family Resources Consultant & Postsecondary Transition Consultant for the Vermont Interdisciplinary Team (VT I-Team)
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.
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 fall schedule!
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VFN Workshop Topics/Speakers Survey
We want to hear your ideas for our upcoming online workshops. What topics interest you? Are there presenters you would recommend?
Let us know your thoughts.
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Contact Us. We Will Listen! |
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Helping Vermont Families thrive for more than 30 years |
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Office
600 Blair Park Rd, Ste 240,
Williston, VT 05495
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