Greetings to our VFN Family and Friends.

As the seasons change and we turn our attention inward, it is a time to reflect on what matters and what we are thankful for. As Executive Director of Vermont Family Network, I am thankful for our administration, staff, and volunteers who work tirelessly to serve families and school-based personnel, and for our powerful puppetry performances. I am appreciative of our Board of Directors who selflessly give of their time to advise and guide. I am humbled and blessed by our donors and sponsors who contribute up to 30% of our operating expenses so we can continue to offer high quality, impactful programs and services at no cost to all Vermont families, regardless of their zip code. I recognize the efforts of our community partners who provide us resources and counsel, believing our mission aligns with their own and we are collaborative partners in meeting the needs of Vermonters. I am reflective of the ongoing challenges our families face, raising their children with disabilities and special health needs, all the while navigating complex systems in education, mental health, and health. I am thankful for our statewide village – the village of all who contribute to the vision of a better Vermont dedicated to access, equity, opportunity, and improved outcomes for children, youth, and young adults; it truly takes a village to get things done and our village reaches all corners of the Green Mountain State.



In this moment of reflection, we wish you quality time and respite with your families, as well as peace and love as we come together to give consideration to our hopes, dreams, and gratitude. We are thankful for your kindness, and we will continue to pay it forward in our efforts to provide comfort, guidance, and support to all Vermont’s families, particularly those impacted by disability and special health needs. Thank you, Vermont!

From the heart,

Jacqui

Student Participation in IEP meetings

Your child on an individualized education program (IEP) can choose to attend their own IEP meetings when they feel ready, no matter how old they are. They can choose to limit their participation by attending a portion of the meeting and sharing material that they have already prepared (with or without support), or they can choose to lead their own IEP meetings! Listen to this recording about student-led IEP meetings and the opportunities they provide to promote self-advocacy, student engagement, and youth leadership.

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 how developing self-advocacy skills can fit within your high school student’s transition plan, contact VFN Family Support at 876-5315 or info@vtfn.org. Check out VFN’s Transition Toolkit for Youth with Disabilities.

Save the Date

Our next VFN Annual Conference

April 2, 2024

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

We are excited to announce that our 2024 Annual Conference will be held on April 2, 2024, at the UVM Davis Center from 9:00 a.m. - 4:15 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 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 visit exhibit tables, network, and chat over lunch.

Stay tuned - Registration is coming soon!

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for our 2024 annual conference, please contact katie.keidel@vtfn.org.

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

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

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.

In addition Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism Funds are still available! This fund will provide direct financial support to families who are eligible. 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. Please contact laurel.sanborn@vtfn.org for more information.

News from the Puppets

Spotlight On: The Northeast Kingdom

The puppets started their show season on October 5^th. With six shows under their belt this month, three of them have been in the Northeast Kingdom! Since we’ve spent so much time going up there this past month, we thought it might be nice to talk a little more about this beautiful part of the state.

The Northeast Kingdom of Vermont (NEK) is comprised of three counties: Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans. It is the least populated part of the state, with only 64,000 people for over 2,000 square miles. It can be difficult to travel to, and it can take up to two hours or more to reach some of the northernmost towns. But, oh, the views!

The puppets were lucky enough to travel to Brighton Elementary School (Island Pond), Miller’s Run Elementary (Sheffield), and Glover Community School. These schools tend to be on the smaller side—Glover only had three Kindergarten students—so our performance days were half days, but everyone loved the shows!

The Brighton Elementary School principal shared, “We haven’t had a similar opportunity in a very long time, especially during COVID.”



Even though we’ve already headed north three times in the last month, we’re not done yet! In November, we’ll be heading back to Orleans County and Lowell Elementary School, for a day of shows on bullying prevention.

The puppets always have a great time at every school we go to, and we’re so happy that we’re able to travel to schools across Vermont, whether it’s next to the Canadian border or down to the Massachusetts border!

What is Child Find?

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), all school districts are required to find and evaluate all children from birth through age 21 who are suspected of having a disability. Child Find applies to all children, including those who are homeschooled, in private schools, in state custody, or homeless.

School districts are required to issue public notices of their duties under Child Find. For children who attend independent schools outside their family’s district of residence, the public school district in which the independent school is located has the responsibility of Child Find. Otherwise, the responsibility of Child Find is the school district in which the family lives.

If you have any questions regarding Child Find or special education evaluations, please contact the VFN helpline at 802-876-5315 or info@vtfn.org.

Genetics Corner

Welcome to the VFN Genetics Corner! This corner will include information related to genetic resources to help support families on their genetic journey. In May 2023 VFN added a Genetic Navigator position to their Family Support staff. Genetic navigation provides families with resources, guidance, and connection to appropriate services. Additionally, genetic navigation can help families advocate for genetic testing and guide them through barriers in accessing testing, insurance, and services. If you have questions about genetics or need support with a genetics diagnosis, please connect with us by calling 802-876-5315 or email info@vtfn.org and ask to speak with a genetics navigator! 



Check out our YouTube page for links to videos about genetics, including videos translated into French, Spanish, Mandarin, Nepali, Somali and Arabic.

Sibshops!

In October, the Sibs had a sunny day for their visit to Sam Mazza’s Pumpkin Patch in Colchester, except for during the partial eclipse when they donned special glasses and were amazed by the sight!

If you have a child ages 8-13, who has a sibling who has a disability or special health need, who you think might be interested in Sibshops, E-mail Laurel Sanborn at laurel.sanborn@vtfn.org for more information or check out the VFN website.

Upcoming Events for

VFN's Parent Match Program

Kele Bourdeau, one of VFN’s Trained Support Parents in our Parent Match Program attended the 1^st Annual P2P Virtual Parent Summit in October. Kele met virtually with other trained parents from across the US and participated in workshops and discussions about being a support parent. Here is Kele’s reflection on participating in the Parent Summit.

"I was honored to be part of the first annual P2P summit. The experience of being with just a fraction of the many support parents out there was warming to my soul. I appreciated the genuine care within the group as well as the notes that were taken by the facilitators to make P2P even more supportive." - Kele Bourdeau

Join us if you are interested in becoming a support parent!

Upcoming Support Parent Trainings:

These Zoom meetings comprise Part 2 of the Support Parent Training. Please complete the Support Parent Volunteer Application if you are interested in becoming a trained Support Parent and to receive Part 1 of the training.

2024

• Wednesday, January 17, 12-2:00 p.m. OR
• Tuesday, January 23, 6-8:00 p.m.

Cozy Winter Fun



Here are some fun ways for your family to make your home feel cozy during the colder winter months:

• Bring some outside nature elements in. Fill a glass jar/vase or make a sensory bin with evergreen branches, pine cones and acorns that you collect on a walk.
• Have warm drinks like hot chocolate or Chai tea available to make after time spent outdoors.
• Build a blanket fort and pretend to be camping outside in a forest with only a fire to keep yourselves warm.
• Simmer a pot of water with sweet smelling spices and fruits like cinnamon, cloves, apples and orange peels added (make sure to keep an eye on the water level.)
• Have a picnic indoors on the floor. Spread out a blanket and serve up some delicious goodies.
• Feed the birds. Pick a place near a window to hang a homemade feeder so you can watch feathered (and maybe furry) friends enjoying the seeds.
• Remember your childhood and cook a dinner made up of your favorite childhood treats…was it grilled cheese and tomato soup?
• Read a book together.
• Dance party! Put on some fun music and boogie around the room.
• Pajama day! Pick a day and spend it in your PJs. Don’t do housework or answer emails/text messages…instead watch movies, play games, read, look at photos and order in pizza.

Free Workshops

November 16 at 1:00 p.m. Register for "Working with First Responders - What Families Should Know"

It is a call no family wants to have to make. Yet many families must access emergency services via first responders when there is a mental health and/or medical crisis. There may not be a mental health professional available to respond and/or there may be a co-occurring medical or safety issue. When this level of intervention must happen, what should families know, and how can they prepare their child and first responders for this type of encounter? Join our three panelists, who will provide information about training for law enforcement and EMTs in Vermont as well as offer practical tips for families about what to expect and how to prepare for this response.

Presenters: Kristin Chandler - Coordinator of Team Two, Chief Shawn Burke – City of South Burlington Chief of Police, and Nick Perkov – City of South Burlington Fire Department Captain/Paramedic

November 30 at 10:00 a.m. Register for "Your Child, Their Future: Using Parental Expertise to Prepare Children for Life After High School"

If your high school aged child is on an Individualized Education Program (IEP), they must have a transition plan when they turn 16. This plan should address transition needs such as training, education, employment, and independent living skills as your child looks towards life after high school. As a parent, you are a significant partner in this crucial process and remain an integral part of your child’s IEP team. Join us in this workshop as we discuss how best to leverage your own expertise to support your child as they plan for their best possible future!

Presenters: Dr. Jacqui Kelleher - Executive Director of Vermont Family Network, John Spinney - Postsecondary Transition Coordinator for Students with Disabilities and Emma Rose McCadden - Alternate Assessment Coordinator both at Student Support Services at the Vermont Agency of Education

December 11 at 11:00 a.m. Register for "Bullying and Harassment: Know Your Rights"

This workshop will educate parents and caregivers of students with disabilities about harassment and bullying protections under Vermont law. It will focus on legal rights, definitions, and the complaint and appeals process, and share resources and strategies for addressing these issues in schools.

Presenters: Big Hartman, Esq. - Executive Director & General Counsel and Amanda Lucía Garcés - Director of Policy, Education, and Outreach both at the Vermont Human Rights Commission

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

SAVE THE DATE! April 2, 2024 9:00 a.m. - 4:15 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 lunch.

Registration Coming Soon!

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