Vermont Family Network

Lanesborough School Anxiety Virtual Puppet Presentation Day 2
2021-04-28 08:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
Anxiety (Worry) Virtual Puppet Presentations thanks to Bedard Bros. Chevrolet

Enosburg Elementary School Virtual Anxiety Workshops
2021-04-30 08:00 - 17:00
Anxiety Middle School Workshops thanks to National Life Group and VT Department of Mental Health

Shoreham Elementary School Virtual Anxiety Puppet Presentation & Workshop
2021-05-03 08:00 - 17:00
Worry/Stress/Anxiety Programs thanks to the Walter Cerf Community Fund

Beeman Elementary School Virtual Anxiety Puppet Presentation & Workshop
2021-05-04 08:00 - 17:00

MAUSD Mentor Program Virtual Middle School Anxiety Workshop
2021-05-06 08:00 - 17:00
Worry/Stress/Anxiety Programs thanks to the Vermont Department of Mental Health

William B Tecler Elementary School Virtual Puppet Presentation
2021-05-13 08:00 - 17:00
Virtual Puppet Presentations thanks to Mangino Chevrolet

3rd Annual Youth Summit - Driven for Youth by Youth
2021-05-20 09:00 - 13:30
Join us for this great event, “Education, Empowerment, Equity,” organized by the Youth Advocacy Council, a team of youth and young adults with disabilities, ages 14 to 25, who connect with other students in Vermont, advocate for youth resources, and lead while providing community service. We will hear Nick Vujicic, Christina Irene, and Sarah Vazquez tell us their stories about overcoming adversity. This summit is for youth and young adults, but also for those supporting youth to achieve their hopes and dreams. Register here.

The Youth Summit is specifically for youth and young adults, and those supporting youth in achieving their hopes and dreams are also welcome. The maximum attendance is 175 with priority given to youth and young adults.

If you’re curious about our speakers, check out their websites!
https://nickvujicic.com/
http://christinairene.com/
https://sarahhelenavazquez.com/

Albany School of Humanities Virtual Puppet Presentation
2021-05-21 08:00 - 17:00
Virtual Puppet Presentations thanks to DePaula Chevrolet

Forest Park Elementary School Virtual Puppet Presentation
2021-05-25 08:00 - 17:00
Day 1 Virtual Puppet Presentations thanks to DeNooyer Chevrolet

Storytelling Open Workshop
2021-05-25 18:00 - 19:30
In this 1.5-hour virtual workshop participants will see the skills of first-person narrative in action and gain the tools needed to structure and tell powerful stories of their own. This workshop is designed for everyone – whether you want to tell your story at the State House or just to close friends – and is open to all families and community partners. Join us as we lift up and celebrate family voices! Please contact jenny.norris@vtfn.org with questions.
Presenter:
– Susanne Schmidt, MS, LCMHC is a standup comedian, master storyteller and national speaker
Register here.

Forest Park Elementary School Virtual Puppet Presentation
2021-05-26 08:00 - 17:00
Virtual Puppet Presentations thanks to DeNooyer Chevrolet
Day 2

Storytelling Workshop for Family Faculty
2021-06-01 18:00 - 20:00
If you are a member of VFN’s Family Faculty and have taken the first Storytelling Open Workshop training on May 25th, we invite you to dive deeper into storytelling with a 2-hour follow-up workshop exclusively for VFN’s Family Faculty with Susanne Schmidt. Together we’ll consider the tenets of family-centered care and explore how to supercharge our true stories for most impact! Participants will have access to coaching and guidance as they craft or tweak their family stories to share with health and education students and professionals. Join this safe space as we connect through storytelling! If you have questions or are interested in joining FamilyFaculty contact jenny.norris@vtfn.org.
Presenter:
– Susanne Schmidt, MS, LCMHC is a standup comedian, master storyteller and national speaker
Register here. (Family Faculty only please).

Watch: Children's Personal Care Services Workshop
2021-06-02 10:00 - 11:00
Watch the Children’s Personal Cares Services workshop video here.
Adam Poulin, Program Administrator for Children With Special Health Needs with the Vermont Department of Health, provides an overview of Children’s Personal Care Services (CPCS) in Vermont. Participants will learn about how eligibility is determined, what the process is for applying, the mechanics of self-direction, and what information you should have at the ready when completing the application.
Presenter:
– Adam Poulin, M.Ed., Program Administrator with Children with Special Health Needs, VT Department of Health

Watch: Home Schooling and Special Education: Supporting your Child
2021-06-17 11:00 - 12:00
Watch the Home Schooling and Special Education: Supporting Your Child workshop video here.
Are you homeschooling a child who is eligible for special education? Come learn about how to engage with your school district to ensure you have the information and resources you need to successfully work with your child and access available services. Erin Maguire, Director of Equity & Inclusion for the Essex Westford School District will present on parental rights as well as tips and tools for collaborating with school districts when you are homeschooling a child with a disability. She will also share a series of resources for parents who are looking to develop a comprehensive experience at home for your child.
Presenter:
– Erin McGuire, Director of Equity & Inclusion and Co-Director of Student Support Services at the Essex Westford School District

Watch: Pediatric Perspectives - A Community Conversation on COVID-19 Vaccine and Children with Disabilities/Special Health Needs
2021-06-29 19:00 - 20:00
Watch the Pediatric Perspectives: A Community Conversation on COVID-19 Vaccine and Children with Disabilities/Special Health Needs recording here.
Do you have questions about getting the COVID-19 vaccine for your child? Whether you have a 12+ year-old who is eligible now to receive the vaccine or you are anticipating a vaccine for children under the age of 12 years this fall, you may have concerns or questions about the vaccine and your child’s disability or health condition. Please join us for an opportunity to have two of Vermont’s most trusted children’s health experts, Dr. Jill Rinehart and Dr. Rebecca Bell, answer your questions and address any hesitancies you may have around getting your child vaccinated. This discussion will be moderated by Stephanie Winters, Executive Director of VT’s American Academy of Pediatrics Chapter.
Presenters:

Jill Rinehart, MD, pediatric primary care physician and director of the Pediatric Residency Program at the UVM Larner School of Medicine
Rebecca Bell, MD, pediatric critical care physician at the UVM Medical Center and President of VT’s American Academy of Pediatrics Chapter

Moderator:

Stephanie Winters, Executive Director of VT’s American Academy of Pediatrics Chapter

Watch: The Keys to Having a Successful Transition to Life After High School for Students with Disabilities - What Parents Need to Know
2021-07-14 13:00 - 14:00
Watch the Keys to Having a Successful Transition to Life After High School for Students with Disabilities – What Parents Need to Know recording here.
John Spinney has worked at the VT Agency of Education for 16 years and he will be coming to us both as a sibling and legal guardian for his two brothers who have Down Syndrome, as well as the VT AOE’s Postsecondary Transition coordinator. John plans to discuss the key items for parents of youth with disabilities to pay attention to in order to foster a positive, meaningful and effective transition to employment, higher education and independent living.
Presenter:
– John Spinney, Postsecondary Transition and Disability Equity Coordinator at the Student Support Services Division, Vermont Agency of Education

Watch: The Mystery in Our Genes - Why We Are Who We Are
2021-08-04 10:00 - 11:00
Watch the recording of The Mystery in Our Genes – Why We Are Who We Are here.
If you are unable to attend, please register anyway. We’ll send you a recording of the workshop which you can watch on your own time.
This presentation is created to help people understand the role that genetics plays in the development of a human being and the maintenance of health. It explains why the consistency of the genetic code can be upset by changes that can affect health and development, and how these changes may be passed down to other generations, sometimes without the knowledge of the individuals inheriting them. Genetic testing and the tell-tale signs of genetic conditions are briefly reviewed as well. This is not designed to make anyone an expert, but rather to acquaint the participants with the basics of genetics.
Objectives:
1. To understand how a chemical code is used to write the instruction book of life
2. To understand why some features of parents are passed down to their children and some aren’t
3. To explore why and how genetic changes happen and how these changes may impact development and health
Presenter:
– Ed Kloza MS, CGC – Genetics consultant, New England Regional Genetics Network
Ed received his degree in Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling from Rutgers University, and has co-authored over 35 articles in the medical literature. He has extensive experience in genetic education of primary care clinicians and the general public. He is past president of the National Society of Genetic Counselors, and served on the editorial board of the Journal of Genetic Counseling. He co-founded the American Board of Genetic Counseling, and received the Natalie Weissberger Paul National Achievement Award in 2000.

Watch: Getting Support for Your Child with Significant & Unmanageable Emotional Challenges
2021-08-25 13:00 - 14:00
Watch the recording of Getting Support for Your Child with Significant & Unmanageable Emotional Challenges*
*Please note that we will be re-taping this video and re-issuing the presentation notes at a later date with updated information. There will be additional information about the Relief From Abuse order (RFA).
Click here for a .pdf of the presentation notes.
Your child experiences significant emotional disturbance or other issue that has created an environment in which your child, you, or other siblings are at significant risk. You have sought services from a variety of agencies, but the situation has not gotten better. Now you are faced with a decision that no parent wishes to face – either your child must be removed from the home or someone will be hurt. What supports are there when your child is unmanageable? Larry Crist Executive Director Vermont Parent Representation Center, Inc will be presenting information about navigating this complex system of care.
Presenter:
– Larry Crist, MSW – Executive Director
Vermont Parent Representation Center, Inc.

Eden Central School Puppet Presentation
2021-09-24
Puppet Presentations

Watch: Back to School - Time to Understand COVID and “Comp Ed” (compensatory education services)
2021-09-24 13:00 - 14:00
Watch Back to School: Time to Understand COVID and Comp Ed recording here.
This workshop will explain parents’ rights and federal and state guidance to make up for the impact of COVID-19 on whether your student received a Free Appropriate Public Education last year. We will talk about requesting an IEP meeting, understanding how to evaluate progress to know if your child should have “Comp Ed”, what “Comp Ed” is, and how to file an Administrative Complaint if you feel your student needs more to make up for last year.
Presenter:
– Rachel Seelig – Staff Attorney at the Disability Law Project, Vermont Legal Aid

Watch: SSI, SSDI and Medicaid: What You Need to Know to Help Your Child/Youth Get and Keep Disability-Based Benefits
2021-09-30 13:00 - 14:00
Watch SSI, SSDI and Medicaid: What You Need to Know to Help Your Child/Youth Get and Keep Disability-Based Benefits recording here.
Mark Hengstler and Barb Prine work at Legal Services Vermont and its sister organization, Vermont Legal Aid, helping people who have low incomes or disabilities navigate benefits programs. They will discuss:
– What is SSI and SSDI?
– Who is eligible and How do you apply?
– How are these programs related to Medicaid?
– What are the work incentives that allow people with disabilities to work and not lose benefits?
– Can people on SSI who lose their jobs get Unemployment Compensation?
Presenters:
– Barb Prine, Staff Attorney at the Disability Law Project
– Mark Hengstler, Law Clerk at Legal Services VT

Cambridge Elementary School Puppet Presentation
2021-10-08
8:15-8:45 Kindness Puppet Program for Grade K
9:00-9:30 Kindness Puppet Program for Grade 1
9:45-10:15 Kindness Puppet Program for Grade 2
10:30-11:00 Kindness Puppet Program for Grades 3-4
12:00-12:45 Stress/Anxiety Workshop for Grades 5-6

Watch: Understanding Special Needs Trusts and How to Fund Them
2021-10-13 18:30 - 19:30
Watch Understanding Special Needs Trusts and How to Fund Them recording here.
In this workshop, Glenn Jarrett, Esq., Certified Elder Law Attorney at Jarrett & Luitjens and Jan Knutsen, Financial Representative from Grace Financial Strategies will give a detailed overview and discuss considerations related to Special Needs Trusts including eligibility for SSI/Medicaid, types of trusts available, ABLE accounts and ways that you can fund these so that you can better plan for your child’s future.
Presenters:
– Glenn Jarrett, Esq., Certified Elder Law Attorney at Jarrett & Luitjens
– Jan Knutsen, Financial Representative from Grace Financial Strategies

Craftsbury Elementary School Puppet Presentation
2021-10-25 08:00 - 17:00
Generously Sponsored by the Vermont Children’s Trust Foundation
12:55-1:35 Worry/Anxiety Puppet Program for Grades K-1
1:45-2:25 Worry/Anxiety Puppet Program for Grades 3-4

White River School Puppet Presentation
2021-10-29 08:00 - 17:00
Anxiety/Worry presentations generously sponsored by the Vermont Children’s Trust Foundation

Proctor Elementary School Puppet Presentation
2021-11-02 08:00 - 17:00
Generously sponsored by the VT Department of Mental Health
8:45 Worry/Anxiety Puppet Program for Grades 3-4
9:45 Worry/Anxiety Puppet Program for Grade 1
10:45 Worry/Anxiety Puppet Program for Grade 3
11:45 Worry/Anxiety Puppet Program for Grade K
1:10 Worry/Anxiety Puppet Program for Grade 2

Watch: How Families and Providers Can Access Resources Through VT 211 and Help Me Grow VT
2021-11-03 13:00 - 14:00
Watch How Families and Providers Can Access Resources Through VT 211 and Help Me Grow VT recording here. (link to recording coming soon)
If you are unable to attend, please register anyway. We’ll send you a recording of the workshop which you can watch on your own time.
Staff from VT 211 and Help Me Grow VT will discuss the services each program provides, how their partnership works, and how families and service providers can access both programs directly for support and resources. Staff will also demonstrate how to use the VT 211 online community resource directory.
Presenters:
– Margaret Armstrong, 211 Contact Center Manager
– Elizabeth Gilman, Help Me Grow Program Manager

All in! Strong Families, Strong Futures Virtual Fundraising Event
2021-11-09 12:00 - 12:30 | Virtual Zoom Event
“Register for: All in! Strong Families, Strong Futures Virtual Fundraising Event”
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYudemqqjgvGtT2N1f_vl_ykrjVjPFa_vCB

Watch: Special Education Rule Changes – What Does This Mean For Families?
2021-11-10 13:00 - 14:00
Watch “Special Education Rule Changes – What Does This Mean For Families?” recording here.
Vermont Special Education Rules will take effect in July 2022. Among the changes are the definition of special education services and adverse effect, the addition of functional performance, increased parent voice and the elimination of the discrepancy model. Learn what this mean for your child’s IEP.
Presenters:
– Marilyn Mahusky, Staff Attorney with Vermont Legal Aid’s Disability Law Project. She has a long career representing people with disabilities in a variety of legal settings including in special education. Ms. Mahusky was appointed to the Census-Based Funding Advisory Group where she served as Co-Chair. She testified before the Vermont Legislature prior to passage of Act 173 and was instrumental in securing major changes to Vermont’s Special Education Rules which will have a positive impact on Vermont’s students with disabilities.
– Karen Price, Co-Director of Family Support, Vermont Family Network

Roessleville Elementary School Puppet Presentation
2021-12-15 08:00 - 17:00
Anxiety/Worry presentations generously sponsored by DeNooyer Chevrolet
