Watch: Developmental Disabilities Services Division (DDSD) System Changes: Intake, Eligibility and Conflict of Interest
2025-11-04 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Watch the recording of the “Developmental Disabilities Services Division (DDSD) System Changes: Intake, Eligibility and Conflict of Interest workshop here.
The system of care for Vermont children, youth, and adults with developmental disabilities has been undergoing significant changes. This workshop highlights these changes, including intake and eligibility, funding processes, case management, and service delivery. Watch to learn more about how the changes will impact those new to accessing services and those currently receiving services.
Presenter:

Melanie Feddersen, DDSD Services Specialist Supervisor. Melanie has worked for the VT Developmental Disability Services Division for 10 years and has been in her current role for 3 years. Prior to working for DDSD, she worked for HCRS for 15 years and managed a residential program for HCRS through their Adult Mental Health program. Melanie moved to Vermont in the Autumn of 2000 and currently lives in Woodstock, VT with her husband and two children.

Oak Grove Elementary School Puppet Presentation
2025-11-05 08:00 - 17:00
Puppet presentations generously sponsored by the VT Department of Mental Health

Watch: Students with Disabilities and Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs
2025-11-13 13:00 - 14:00
Watch the recording of the “Students with Disabilities and Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs” workshop here.
This workshop explores the different programs and courses offered through Career and Technical Education (CTE), and the ways that families, schools and CTE centers can collaborate to support students with disabilities who want to pursue a technical education program.
Presenter:

John Spinney, Postsecondary Transition Coordinator at the VT Agency of Education. John is in his 20th year at the AOE, where he works to support systems that promote good transitions to post school life for students with disabilities statewide. John’s two youngest brothers were adopted as infants, and both have Down Syndrome. John grew up being immersed in the disability world and is the legal guardian for his two brothers who are now in their 40s.

Watch: Residential Placements – What Should Families Know?
2025-12-02 14:00 - 15:00
Watch the recording of the “Residential Placements – What Should Families Know?” workshop here.
Sometimes, children and youth with disabilities are placed in residential schools/placements, which can include out of state facilities. Placements could be through the school or a state agency. There is preparation before your child starts their new program, considerations during their placement and then proactive ways for schools and families to plan for children’s return back to their communities. This workshop reviews the Vermont Agency of Education’s published document which has suggestions for school teams and local agencies on collaboration through the process, keeping families and students’ needs at the forefront of every conversation.
Presenter:

Alicia Hanrahan – Vermont Agency of Education’s Interagency Coordinator and Education Programs Manager. Alicia is part of the new Safe and Healthy Schools Team which covers topic areas such as Chronic Absenteeism, Behavioral Threat Assessments, Hazing, Harassment and Bullying, Mental Health, and School Safety. She has been at AOE for 27 years…the first 15 in special education monitoring and the last 12 immersed in Interagency work. Alicia is part of the Case Review Committee (CRC) which helps to place students in residential facilities and is also Co-Chair of the State Interagency Team.

Newport Town School Puppet Presentation
2025-12-04 08:00 - 17:00
Puppet presentations generously sponsored by the National Life Foundation Group

Samuel Morey Elementary (Lake Morey) School Puppet Presentation
2025-12-12 08:00 - 17:00

Woodstock Elementary School Puppet Presentation
2025-12-17 08:00 - 17:00

Proctor Elementary School Puppet Presentation
2026-01-08 08:00 - 17:00
Resilience Puppet presentations generously sponsored by the Vermont Children’s Trust Foundation

Troy School Puppet Presentation
2026-01-13 08:00 - 17:00

Blue Mountain Union School Puppet Presentation
2026-01-22 08:00 - 17:00
Resilience Puppet presentations generously sponsored by the National Life Group Foundation

Watch: Rule 4500 in Vermont Schools: Information for Parents & Caregivers
2026-01-22 13:00 - 14:00
Watch the recording of the “Rule 4500 in Vermont Schools: Information for Parents & Caregivers” workshop here.

This workshop is designed for parents and caregivers that would like a clear, accessible understanding of Vermont’s regulations on the use of restraint and seclusion (Rule 4500) in schools. It reviews when and why these interventions may be used, what protections exist for students, what documentation families should expect, and how schools can partner proactively with caregivers to keep students safe.
Presenter:

Ashley Riendeau, M.Ed., School Climate Program Coordinator at the Vermont Agency of Education Ashley leads statewide work related to restraint and seclusion (Rule 4500), school climate and belonging, restorative approaches, exclusionary discipline, and Harassment-Hazing-Bullying prevention. She provides technical assistance to SU/SDs across Vermont and supports implementation of trauma-informed, proactive, equitable systems, legally aligned practices, and develops guidance and resources to strengthen family-school partnerships.

St. Francis Xavier School Puppet Presentation
2026-01-27 08:00 - 17:00

Watch: Preparing Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) Users for Transition: Tips and Tools!
2026-01-29 13:00 - 14:00
Watch the recording of the “Preparing Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) Users for Transition: Tips and Tools!” workshop here.
For young people with disabilities, there are many moving pieces and processes around the transition from school to adult services. There are unique needs for those with communication disabilities who may use augmentative alternative communication (AAC) systems. There is need to educate new community communication partners about the person’s communication and any technology that is used. Being thoughtful, intentional and systematic about the communication support needs of the individual who is transitioning can increase the chances of their being included in a meaningful way. In this workshop, you will hear strategies from a Speech-Language Pathologist, AAC Specialist and a Parent with lived experience. Intended audience would be care partners of high school students transitioning to adult community services. This talk hopes to equip and inform families with children using AAC as well as school and community professionals who support these individuals.
Presenters:

Ashley Couture, M.S., CCC-SLP, Speech Language Pathologist with True Voice and Communication Consultant with the VT Interdisciplinary Team. Ashley has been working in the field of Speech Language Pathology in Vermont for over 25 years. She specializes in AAC across the life span by consulting with school teams on getting students access to AAC as well as with designated adult services agencies increasing communication access for adults with developmental disabilities.
Theresa Soares, parent of a young adult with a motor disability, and has been employed supporting parents of young children, with and without disabilities, for over 20 years. Theresa is mom to two young adults who were born prematurely 24 years ago. Joe was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 5 months and has been connected to disability services ever since. His cerebral palsy affects all of his motor systems, requiring a collaborative approach to his daily living needs as well as his communication with a complex speech generating device.

Watch: Understanding VT Education Transformation: Continued Impacts and Opportunities for Special Education
2026-02-03 14:00 - 15:00
Watch the recording of the “Understanding VT Education Transformation: Continued Impacts and Opportunities for Special Education” workshop here.
Vermont legislators continue to focus on sweeping education transformation in our state. The passage of Act 73 at the end of the 2025 session set into motion significant changes in both the delivery and funding of public education in Vermont – yet many of those changes don’t go into effect until the current legislature acts on additional reforms. This Fall, a number of key reports were issued that pertain specifically to how schools provide (and fund) special education services. All of these discussions have unique implications for students with disabilities. Join us to learn about the latest in this education transformation, with an emphasis on how this might impact special education in our State.
Presenter:

Meagan Roy, Ed.D., Coordinator of School Leadership Programs at Saint Michael’s College. Meagan currently serves as the Coordinator of School Leadership Programs at St. Michael’s College. Previously, she served as Superintendent of the Washington Central Unified Union School District and spent more than a decade in the Champlain Valley Union School District as their Director of Student Support Services. She began her Vermont teaching career as an Intensive Needs special educator, and her professional endeavors are deeply connected to ensuring that public schools can serve all students. Meagan is deeply invested and engaged in education policy work at the state level and has a particular interest in supporting schools as they implement policy locally. She is a past President of the Vermont Council of Special Education Administrators and past Chair of the Commission on the Future of Public Education in Vermont. Meagan is a graduate of Simmons College in Boston, MA and completed her Master and Doctoral degrees in UVM’s Education Leadership and Policy Studies program.

MMUUSD/Underhill ID Preschool Puppet Presentation
2026-02-05 08:00 - 17:00

Watch: Behavior Threat Assessments in Schools – What Should Families Know?
2026-02-10 14:00 - 15:00
Watch the recording of the “Behavior Threat Assessments in Schools – What Should Families Know?” workshop here.

A Behavioral Threat Assessment (BTA) gathers information about, assesses and manages dangerous or violent situations in schools. All schools are required to have a trained Behavioral Threat Assessment Team. What are the steps of the BTA process? Who is responsible for carrying out the BTA? How might a BTA be used for a student on an IEP? What role does a parent have if their child is referred for a BTA? Join us for this family-friendly workshop to learn more about BTAs.
Presenter:

Cammie Naylor – Staff Attorney with the Disability Law Project at Vermont Legal Aid, Inc. As a former children’s therapist, Cammie has long advocated for the needs of children and their families. She joined Vermont Legal Aid as a Staff Attorney in 2017. She has a deep passion for protecting the rights of children and advocating within spaces where a child’s needs and rights intersect. Cammie advocates for children with disabilities regarding their rights in schools, and other individuals with disabilities who are facing legal problems like guardianship, access to health care, or discrimination because of their disabilities.

Townshend Elementary School
2026-02-13 08:00 - 17:00
Puppet presentations generously sponsored by the Oakland Foundation

Jay-Westfield Elementary School Puppet Presentation
2026-02-17 08:00 - 17:00

Coxsackie Elementary School Puppet Presentation
2026-03-10 08:00 - 17:00
Puppet presentations generously sponsored by Sawyer Chevrolet

The Sara Marie School
2026-03-11 08:00 - 17:00
Puppet presentations generously sponsored by DePaula Chevrolet

Watch: Supporting Comfort and Participation: An Introduction to 24-Hour Postural Care for Families
2026-03-12 10:00 - 11:00
Watch the recording for “Supporting Comfort and Participation: An Introduction to 24-Hour Postural Care for Families” workshop here.
This workshop introduces families, caregivers, and providers to the core ideas of 24-Hour Postural Care, a gentle, family-centered approach to positioning children and young adults with motor impairments throughout the day and night. The goal of 24-Hour Postural Care is to support comfort, body alignment, rest, and participation during everyday activities, including sitting, lying, sleeping, and moving through daily routines.
24-Hour Postural Care is especially helpful for positioning individuals with diagnoses such as Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, Spinal Muscular Atrophy or any condition that affects a person’s ability to move their body in space and maintain comfortable, supported positions.
This presentation will highlight:

What 24-Hour Postural Care is, with a clear focus on positioning and why it matters
A simplified 24-Hour Postural Care Pathway that helps teams identify positioning needs, assess posture and alignment, select supportive equipment, and support caregivers
Case stories that demonstrate how families and teams use these practices
A video demonstration of nighttime positioning systems
Time for Q&A

Presenter:
Pamela Cummings, M.Ed., PT is a pediatric physical therapist with over 30 years of experience supporting children and young adults with motor disorders and complex needs. She serves are project director for the Vermont Early Intervention Project and 24-Hour Postural Care within the Center on Disability and Community Inclusion at UVM.
Pam is especially passionate about 24-hour postural care and works closely with teams to apply this approach through comprehensive assessment, family-centered planning, and practical equipment solutions. Pam presents regularly at local, national, and international conferences, including the International Seating Symposium and the APTA Pediatrics Annual Conference, and is a frequent guest lecturer.
Her work emphasizes collaborative, team-based strategies to support posture, comfort, and participation across all environments, both during the day and at night.

Dorothy Nolan School Puppet Presentation
2026-03-25 08:00 - 17:00
Puppet presentations generously sponsored by Mohawk Chevrolet

Watch: School Based Mental Health Supports – Success Beyond Six
2026-03-31 14:00 - 15:00
Watch recording of the “School Based Mental Health Supports – Success Beyond Six” workshop here.

Success Beyond Six is a Medicaid program that allows schools to partner with their designated community mental health agencies to provide mental health services in schools. The intent of Success Beyond Six is to both strengthen the partnership between schools and mental health agencies so both entities may meet the needs of students and families as well as reduce the cost burden on education by using Medicaid for eligible services to eligible students. These services include counseling, behavioral supports, consultation to schools, and therapeutic schools. Services and supports can be tailored depending on the needs of schools and students. Last year there were 181 partnerships with schools and supervisory unions/districts in Vermont funding 605 full-time mental health employees supporting schools. Learn more about this collaborative program that supports children’s social, emotional and behavioral needs.
Presenters:

Laurel Omland, MS, NCC, Director of the Child, Adolescent and Family Unit in the Vermont Department of Mental Health
Marianna Donnally, LICSW, School Mental Health Programs Manager in the Vermont Department of Mental Health

Mettawee Community School Puppet Presentation
2026-04-01 08:00 - 17:00

Watch: Health Bites and Insights: Prepare to Get the Care You Need
2026-04-09 10:00 - 11:00
Watch the recording of the “Health Bites and Insights: Prepare to Get the Care You Need” workshop here.
This collaborative workshop series from the UVM Libraries and the UVM Medical Center’s Patient and Family Experience is designed to empower you with practical tools for better health and wellbeing. This upcoming session, “Prepare to Get the Care You Need,” will guide you through simple, effective ways to get ready for your next medical visit. In this workshop, you will learn how to ask good questions and get organized before your doctor’s appointment, and find trustworthy, high-quality online resources to support your family’s care decisions. Whether you’re managing a condition or just staying informed, this session will help you take charge of your health with confidence.
Presenters:

Geri Amori (she/her), Co-Chair of UVM Medical Center Patient & Family Advisory Council Steering Committee. Geri has been navigating healthcare settings since she was 8 years old. Both of her parents were significantly physically disabled and died by the time she was 16. Back then, she was navigating a simple healthcare system that she couldn’t help much but felt kind. Geri then went on to work in healthcare (first in mental health, then in risk management) for 35 years. Even while working in healthcare , Geri saw the results of silos and system designs that were intended to serve patients but often missed the human needs of patients. In her current role she continues to develop collaborative relationships between healthcare providers, decision-makers, and patients.
Maria Avery (she/her), Community Outreach Manager for UVM Libraries. As lifelong library lover, Maria has been with UVM Libraries since 2018 where she began working with instruction librarians to learn the ropes of reference services and extensive database searching. She believes that high quality, reliable health information access is a fundamental right, not a luxury to be hidden behind paywalls or dense medical jargon. In 2023, she began her work as the community outreach manager and now works with public libraries and community organizations to bring these skills, services, and information to as many Vermonters as possible. She has a level II consumer health information specialization from the Medical Library Association.

Molly Stark Elementary School
2026-04-15 08:00 - 17:00
Puppet presentations generously sponsored by Fina Auto Mall/Bennington Chevrolet

Lanesborough Elementary School Puppet Presentation
2026-04-16 08:00 - 17:00
Puppet presentations generously sponsored by Bedard Brothers Chevrolet

Fort Ann Central School
2026-04-30 08:00 - 17:00
Puppet presentations generously sponsored by Ross Hometown Chevrolet

Register for 5/14: Introduction to VSAC Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS): Planning for Life After High School
2026-05-14 10:00 - 11:00
Register for the “Introduction to VSAC Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS): Planning for Life After High School 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.
Join us for this informative and collaborative workshop designed to support parents and professionals working with neurodiverse students as they prepare for the transition beyond high school. This session will highlight the work that VT Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) Counselors are doing in twelve schools across Vermont in partnership with HireAbility Transition Counselors, to strengthen coordinated support for students navigating postsecondary planning. You will gain an overview of Pre-ETS and explore the interactive workshops VSAC counselors are delivering. These workshops are designed to help students identify their interests, clarify career and education goals, and build practical skills needed to manage life after high school. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of how Pre-ETS supports transition planning and how these services can complement the work already being done to support student success.

Presenters:

Tia Tallman is the Transition Program Manager at HireAbility Vermont, where she leads initiatives supporting youth with disabilities in building career readiness skills and navigating the transition from school to employment. She has over 14 years of experience working with youth and families impacted by trauma and disability across school and community-based settings. Tia is passionate about creating person-centered, equitable pathways that empower young people to explore their strengths, access meaningful opportunities, and achieve long-term success. Her work focuses on expanding access to career development experiences and strengthening partnerships that support positive postsecondary outcomes for Vermont youth.
Lauren Hood manages the Pre-ETS program for the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC). Lauren has a Master’s of Education in Curriculum and Instruction as well as a B.S. in English, Secondary Education with a minor in Special Education. Before coming to VSAC nearly 5 years ago, Lauren served as an English Teacher at an alternative therapeutic middle and high school for 6 years. Lauren is experienced in creating student-centered, interest-based curriculum that integrates accommodations and goals based on students’ IEP and 504 plans.
Dray Bourgeois is the VSAC Pre-ETS Counselor for southern Vermont and offers post-secondary high school planning workshops to students at six schools in the region. Dray brings a thoughtful and creative eye to curriculum development. Dray has more than a decade of experience working with disabled individuals in a variety of settings and is committed to aiding students find success in post-secondary endeavors. Prior to working at VSAC Dray worked for 8 years in a daycare with children ranging from 3 months to 9 years of age. Dray worked in specialized home health care for 4 years in both private and company settings giving him experiences with a variety of needs and disabilities. He also helps run a Dungeons and Dragons program that is open to children and teens in Massachusetts. Dray had a Bachelors of arts with a concentration in Pre-veterinary medicine.
Rich Boyers is the VSAC pre-ETS Counselor for Northern Vermont, bringing postsecondary planning workshops to six schools in the region. He holds a Master’s in Education and brings over 25 years of experience in education and leadership, including supporting families of children with disabilities. Rich is committed to VSAC’s mission of guiding students toward postsecondary success. Throughout his teaching career, Rich worked closely with students on IEP and 504plans, developing personalized supports to build confidence and help them reach their academic goals. His commitment extends beyond the classroom; he currently serves a second term on the Vermont Family Network Board, supporting families of children and youth with disabilities and special health needs.

Register for 5/19: Student-Led Individualized Education Programs (IEP)
2026-05-19 15:00 - 16:00
Register for the “Student-Led Individualized Education Programs (IEP)” 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.

When students are given the opportunity to have an active role in the development of their individualized education program, they learn how to state their preferences and goals, and take ownership over their future. A student-led IEP process has many benefits, such as promoting self-advocacy, improving student engagement, and strengthening transition planning. This workshop will be co-presented by three people with experience with student-led IEPs: a disability advocate, a parent of a person with a disability, and a person who supports youth with disabilities as they transition to adulthood.
Presenters:

Jayson Capobianco: Family Resources Consultant / Postsecondary Transition Consultant with the Vermont I-Team, part of the University of Vermont’s Center on Disability and Community Inclusion
Ocean Streeter: disability advocate with Green Mountain Self-Advocates and UVM CDCI
Michele Streeter: Northeast Regional Family Support Consultant with the Vermont I-Team
