Vermont Family Network

Register for 6/25: Chronic Absenteeism and Students with Disabilities: The Impact and Intervention Best Practices
2026-06-25 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York)
Register for the “Chronic Absenteeism and Students with Disabilities: The Impact and Intervention Best Practices” workshop here.
This workshop will be 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. We appreciate when you register as that data can support our grant reporting.
In this workshop you will learn more about chronic absenteeism and the disproportionate impact it has on students with disabilities, along with some general intervention best practices.
Presenter:

Jess LaClair is a public health specialist and school liaison at the Burlington District Office of the Vermont Department of Health. She is also a former teacher, and a parent of a young adult with a disability and has used Vermont Family Network’s services for support. She works with several local partners, including schools, to address chronic absenteeism as part of her work.

Register for 7/16: What's New with Vermont ABLE? Expanding Opportunities for Families
2026-07-16 13:00 - 14:00
Register here for the “What’s New with Vermont ABLE? Expanding Opportunities for Families” workshop.
This workshop will be 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. We appreciate when you register as that data can support our grant reporting.
More than 1400 Vermonters are taking advantage of Vermont ABLE, a program that allows individuals and families to save for disability-related expenses without jeopardizing federal benefits. Several important changes came online for ABLE programs last January, expanding eligibility and eliminating monthly fees. Come learn how families are using ABLE to create a safety net, teach budgeting skill, and support the hopes and dreams of someone with a disability.
Presenter:
Kirsten Murphy is the Executive Director of the Vermont Developmental Disabilities Council. She is the parent of three adults who identify as neurodiverse.

Register for 7/23: Navigating Vermont’s CSHN New Geographic Information System (GIS) Resource Map
2026-07-23 13:00 - 14:00
Register for “Navigating Vermont’s CSHN New Geographic Information System (GIS) Resource Map” workshop here.
This workshop will be 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. We appreciate when you register as that data can support our grant reporting.
Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs recently launched a CSHN GIS Resource Map . We understand that Vermont’s system of care can be hard to navigate. To simplify it, we created a digital guide that helps families, youth, and providers to quickly find CSHN-related resources in an easy-to-understand, accessible format.
This resource includes content categories such as autism, care coordination, designated agencies, education, medical, organizations, planning for adulthood, and statewide resources, organized by county. We update the map’s information regularly, so we can keep you informed.
If you need accessibility resources to navigate the map, contact us at AHS.VDHCSHN@vermont.gov. Use the suggestion form at the bottom of each web page to help us keep this resource map up to date.
Presenter:

Regina-Anne (Regie) Cooper, MPH, LSSCGB, has worked for CSHN Health Systems Team for 3 years as statewide Program Administrator. Regie is a member of Vermont’s Special Education Advisory Panel (SEAP), attends Vermont’s Certified Public Managers program and represents Vermont in GOT Transition’s 8 state workgroup. Regie also participates in CORE (HireAbility) regional and statewide workgroups as well as serving on their event planning committee. She is a graduate of Geisel School of Medicine with a Masters in Public Health, and was 1998 Presidential Scholar during her senior year at Norwich University. Regie also holds a Green Belt in Lean Six Sigma project management and is a Certified Facilitator. Regie is the mother of identical twins who received special education services from preschool through high school in Vermont. She has a passion for project management, learning more about SPED and CSHN issues, and discovering innovative ways to help Vermont’s children and youth with healthcare needs.

Register for 8/13: Attending College as a Student with a Disability
2026-08-13 13:00 - 14:00
Register for the “Attending College as a Student with a Disability” workshop here.
This workshop will be 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. We appreciate when you register as that data can support our grant reporting.
What is it really like to attend college as a student with a disability? Join us for a conversation with several young adults who are pursuing different college pathways while navigating disability-related challenges and supports. Hear about their personal experiences with academics, campus life, self-advocacy, accommodations, and building independence. Whether you are considering college, preparing for the transition from high school, or simply curious about what to expect, this workshop offers an opportunity to hear honest perspectives, practical advice, and lessons learned from students who have been there.
Presenters:

Panel of young adults TBD
