Watch: College & Careers - Personalized Support Planning
2022-11-30 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York)
Watch recording for “College & Careers: Personalized Support Planning” here.
Learn how Progressive Education can help ease the stress for a youth with a disability and their family as they consider college and careers during or after high school. Progressive Education can help a young person identify their path and develop the skills to succeed through exciting, real-world opportunities and one-on-one counseling.
Join us as we highlight the work between HireAbility VT and College Compass and Community College of Vermont (CCV) in developing and supporting a personalized plan including mentorship, campus engagement, skill building, and strong team-based communication as we focus on working toward greater independence and advocacy for long-term success.
Presenter Panel includes:

Tara Howe, HireAbility VT Transition Program Manager
Brya L. Emery, College Steps Director of Admissions and Enrollment at the College Compass Program
Chris Kennedy, College Steps Regional Director at the College Compass Program
Natalie Searle, Director of Secondary Education Initiatives at the Community College of Vermont (CCV)
Dana Oliver, Program Manager at the Community College of Vermont (CCV)

Chamberlin School Puppet Presentation
2022-12-01 08:00 - 17:00
Sexual Abuse Awareness Puppet Presentation

Watch: Regulating at Home
2022-12-07 10:00 - 11:00
Watch recording for “Regulating at Home” here.
Regulating at home can be tricky, especially after a day of school and activities. Being around your child who is fluctuating in and out of regulation can look and feel out of control, overwhelming, dysregulating, and triggering for everyone in the family. In this workshop learn about what dysregulation is from a brainstem “inside-out” perspective, figure out what your child’s regulation pattern is, talk about how a custom home program can support this, and start to create a regulation-supporting routine that makes sense for you and your child. This discussion will end by teaching you how to support your child’s regulation through the evening and into bedtime. This presentation is most applicable for children under age 12, but the concepts are helpful for children, teenagers, and young adults of any age.
Presenter:
– Natalie Mannherz is a pediatric occupational therapist, piano teacher, ski coach, human developer, and a mother of two young boys. She was the founder of two private therapy practices in Boulder, Colorado for nine years before moving back to her Vermont hometown in 2021. Natalie specializes in sensory integration; she is constantly expanding her view of neurodivergence as she parents her neurodivergent child. Natalie identifies as neurodivergent with an ADHD diagnosis.

Shelburne Community School Puppet Presentation
2022-12-08 08:00 - 17:00
Demystifying Autism Puppet Presentations

Shoreham Elementary School Puppet Presentation
2022-12-15 08:00 - 17:00
Kindness & Stress Puppet Presentations Generously Funded by Walter Cerf Foundation

Academy School Puppet Presentation
2023-01-05 08:00 - 17:00
Kindness & Stress for Grades K-4
Anxiety & Stress Workshop for Grades 5-6

Miller's Run School Puppet Presentation
2023-01-11 08:00 - 17:00
Kindness & Stress for Grades PK-4
Anxiety & Stress Workshop for Grades 5-6

Watch: Finding a Summer Camp: There is a camp in New England for every camper!
2023-01-11 10:00 - 11:00
Watch the recording for “Finding a Summer Camp: There is a camp in New England for every camper!” here.
Join us for a presentation and conversation around finding a summer camp. We’ll cover the overall camp experience touching upon the natural connection between camp and school, including how camps can fit into the extended school year (ESY) within your child’s individualized education program (IEP). We’ll look at processes and resources for finding camps, including tangible steps and resources families can use to find the right camp for their camper (or young adult…Camp is a phenomenal work experience too).
Our hope is that you find a camp that will safely take your child and return them happy, healthy, and having made friends and memories. For over 100 years, the American Camp Association, New England has maintained that while not every camp is for every camper, there is a camp in New England for every camper, regardless of ability!
Presenters:
• Bud Copeland – Director of Membership & Engagement – ACA, New England. Originally from sunnier and warmer climates, Bud became “Born Again New England” after spending 15 summers at a camp in Maine where he was a counselor, Athletic Director, Head Counselor, and Director of Operations before joining ACA, New England in 2017 to lead membership and engagement activities. His responsibilities include member services, external communications, and providing support for both the public and our membership with their recruitment or camp selection processes.
• Karen Price, Co-Director of Family Support and Project Director, Parent Training & Information Center at Vermont Family Network.

Derby Elementary School Puppet Presentation
2023-01-19 08:00 - 17:00
Friend 2 Friend Demystifying Autism

Watch: Learn, Earn, and Prosper (LEAP): Opportunities for Blind and Visually Impaired Youth in Vermont
2023-01-19 13:00 - 14:00
Watch the recording for “Learn, Earn, and Prosper (LEAP): Opportunities for Blind and Visually Impaired Youth in Vermont” here.
LEAP has something for everyone! Join us to hear about the variety of options for work experiences and personal-professional development for blind and visually impaired youth throughout the state.
We’ll cover the process of referrals and applications to join programs; our variety of virtual and in person opportunities; how our work experiences, retreats, residential programming, and skill-based workshops work; and how different students and abilities benefit from different options.
A small panel of our LEAP students will join us to tell their own stories and speak to the relationships and learning they gained from their LEAP experiences.
Presenters:

Sarah Kirby, LEAP Program Coordinator
Hannah Peach, LEAP Virtual Program Developer
Taya Tarr, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor with the VT Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired

St. Monica-St. Michael School Puppet Presentation
2023-01-25 08:00 - 17:00

Boght Hills Elementary School Puppet Presentation
2023-02-02 08:00 - 17:00
Kindness puppet presentations generously sponsored by DeNooyer Chevrolet

Watch: Services for Children who are Blind or Visually Impaired - What can VABVI provide for My Child?
2023-02-08 10:00 - 11:00
Watch the recording for “Services for Children who are Blind or Visually Impaired – What can VABVI provide for My Child?” here.
In this workshop, parents and professionals will learn about Vermont Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired (VABVI) services for children ages birth through high school graduation. VABVI staff includes Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVI), Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialists (CATIS) for Individuals with Visually Impairments and Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS). Learn about the 9 areas of the “Expanded Core Curriculum” specific to students with a visual impairment, the updated July 2022 VT AOE qualifications for a visual impairment and the variety of assessments, consultation, and direct instruction options available through VABVI.
Presenter:

Stephanie Bissonette is the VABVI Director of Children Services, a licensed Teacher of the Visually Impaired and a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist. In addition to overseeing the children services department, she supervises the 15 TVI’s, COMS and CATIS for children with visual impairments. She received her undergraduate degree as a TVI from Dominican College and her master’s degree from Boston College as a COMS. She has glaucoma resulting from a childhood accident and has 37 years of experience in the field at VABVI. Stephanie is the Vermont state liaison for the UMass Boston teacher training programs in the field of visual impairments and the Vermont Ex-Officio Trustee for the American Printing House for the Blind.
Taya Tarr – Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor with the VT Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Johnson Elementary School Puppet Presentation
2023-02-09 08:00 - 17:00
Kindness & Stress Programs generously funded by the Vermont Children’s Trust Foundation

Skano Elementary School Puppet Presentation
2023-02-13 08:00 - 17:00
Kindness puppet presentations generously sponsored by Mohawk Chevrolet

Watch: HireAbility VT’s Summer Career Exploration Program!
2023-02-15 10:00 - 11:00
Watch the recording for “HireAbility VT’s Summer Career Exploration Program!” here.
Learn about this summer program that provides work experience and job readiness skills training to students with disabilities. We will share information about who is involved, the impact, and hear directly from a parent and student about their experience with the program.
Presenters:
Sam Bernstein, participant in Summer Careers Exploration Program
Tracey Dolan, Sam’s parent
Tara Howe, HireAbility Transition Program Manager
Kara Haynes, HireAbility Transition Program Associate Manager

The Village School of North Bennington Puppet Presentation
2023-02-16 08:00 - 17:00
Kindness & Stress AND Abuse Awareness generously sponsored by Bennington Chevrolet

VFN: Advocacy and Policy Committee Meeting
2023-02-21 18:30 - 20:00
Join us for our Advocacy and Policy Committee meeting! You will learn more about what’s happening at the state house and inform how we advocate for change. Your input on these important issues are essential to our success!

Jay/Westfield School Puppet Presentation
2023-02-23 08:00 - 17:00
Kindness & Stress Programs generously sponsored by National Life Group Foundation

The Mountain School at Winhall Puppet Presentation
2023-03-01 08:00 - 17:00
Kindness & Stress Programs generously sponsored by Vermont Department of Mental Health

Watch: Jump On Board For Success (JOBS): Supported Employment for Youth
2023-03-08 13:00 - 14:00
Watch the recording of “Jump on Board for Success (JOBS): Supported Employment for Youth” here.
In this workshop, presenters share information about the Jump On Board for Success – JOBS Program and the statewide partnership which provides supported employment for youth ages 16-22 who have been identified as experiencing mental health challenges and have significant barriers to employment in adulthood. This presentation is geared towards parents and families to increase awareness and understanding of the JOBS Programs.
Presenters:

Kara Haynes, LICSW – HireAbility Transition Program Associate Manager
Laura Flint, MSW – VT Dept. of Mental Health Senior Evidence-Based Practices Evaluator and Supported Employment Services
Jesse Lawrence – Vocational Coordinator at Clara Martin Center
Holly Benoir – Vocational Services Coordinator at Clara Martin Center

Bishop Marshall School Puppet Presentation
2023-03-09 08:00 - 17:00
Kindness & Stress Puppet Presentations Generously funded by Vermont Children’s Trust Foundation

Past: Rule 4500 Restraint, Seclusion, and Exclusionary Discipline: A Conversation with Families on their Experiences with the Process
2023-03-10 12:00 - 13:00
Past: “Rule 4500 Restraint, Seclusion, and Exclusionary Discipline: A Conversation with Families on their Experiences with the Process”
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.
Facilitated Questions:
1. What is your understanding of Rule 4500? What ideas do you have about more effectively informing families about the rule, procedures, and oversight?
2. When your child was restrained/secluded, how did the school handle the situation? What information was provided?
3. Did you reach out to the AOE for guidance? If so, what can you say about it?
4. How can the AOE improve its role in policies, practices, and procedures specific to Rule 4500? Public Schools?
Facilitators:
– Hosted by Vermont Family Network in Collaboration with the Agency of Education

Underhill Central School Puppet Presentation
2023-03-16 08:00 - 17:00

Harrison Ave Elementary School Puppet Presentation
2023-03-22 08:00 - 17:00
Kindness puppet presentations generously sponsored by Whiteman Chevrolet

Sara Marie School Puppet Presentation
2023-03-23 08:00 - 17:00
Kindness puppet program generously sponsored by DePaula Chevrolet

Fair Haven Grade School Puppet Presentation
2023-03-30 08:00 - 17:00
Generously sponsored by Ross Hometown Chevrolet

Kindergarten Conference Puppets in Education Workshop
2023-04-04 08:00 - 17:00

Cambridge Elementary School Puppet Presentation
2023-04-05 08:00 - 17:00
Abuse Awareness Puppet Program

Register for: VFN 2023 Annual Conference - Inclusion and Well-Being
2023-04-11 09:00 - 13:00
Join us on April 11 for our VFN 2023 Annual Conference – Inclusion and Well-Being. Registration is open! Visit our Annual Conference page for more details including an agenda and to register.
