Families Together

Families Together Support Groups for Family Members and Care Providers of Teens and Adults who have Developmental Disabilities

Families Together groups meet in locations around the state to provide support to each other, share information, and learn about opportunities for advocacy. They are sponsored by a grant from the Vermont Developmental Disabilities Council and the Vermont Family Network.

Participants in the groups decide what kinds of support and information they want. Some meetings may be family social gatherings, while others are presentations by invited speakers. Topics of concern have included housing, living options, employment, social inclusion, life-long learning opportunities, SSI and work, guardianship, and special needs trusts and financial planning.

• Meet other families who are encountering many of the same issues you are.
• Hear presenters on topics that concern you and your loved one.

*Under federal law, Developmental Disabilities are a severe, often lifelong disability that affects people before they reach age 22 and substantially limits functioning ability in three or more life activities such as self-care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self-direction, independent living, and employability. Can include people with many diagnoses, such as (but not limited to): Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Muscular Dystrophy, Down syndrome, Visually Impaired….

Get Connected. Get Information.

Contact for the Families Together group near you:

Windham Families Together:
(Brattleboro) Barbara Lee bklmd@sover.net (802) 257-4853

Windsor Families Together:
(White River) Erin O’Hearne malemo@aol.com (802) 296-7175

Chittenden Families Together:
(Williston) Jan Hancock jan.hancock at vtfn.org (802) 876-5315 x215

NEK Families Together:
(Newport) Lori Christopher Lori.Christopher at vtfn.org (802) 873-4576

Franklin/Grand Isle Families Together:
(St. Albans) Betty Morse Betty.Morse at vtfn.org 1-800-800-4005 x201

For more information about the Families Together Groups,
contact Jan Hancock at 1-800-800-4005 ext. 215