FEE FOR SERVICE TRAINING AND CONSULTATION OPPORTUNITIES
Who are we?
We are the federally designated Parent Training and Information Center, the Family-to-Family Health Information Center, and the Vermont chapter of both Family Voices and Parent-to-Parent USA. We are a statewide family support organization committed to ensuring all Vermont families of children with special health needs are empowered to have a voice in the care and services they receive. We have been serving Vermont families and the professionals who work with them for more than 30 years
What Do we offer?
In addition to the hundreds of learning opportunities we provide at no cost to Vermonters, VFN offers additional workshops and training as a fee-for-service for school districts and organizations who wish for a customized experience that meets their unique needs. Workshops are approximately two hours and include a presentation and discussion among participants; however, there are topics that can be developed for a Lunch & Learn half-day, and full-day experience. During the pandemic, our workshops were “virtual” rather than in-person, and we still customize virtual events if this is the best mode for your participants.
In-person workshops are available. Consultation services are based on the individual client’s needs. We provide most consultation services “virtually” (Zoom meeting, phone, email) unless parties agree it is more beneficial for an in-person. Vermont Family Network offers training opportunities for parents, guardians, families, and school staff that districts can select to meet targeted needs. VFN aims to meet the needs of Local Education Agencies (LEA) concerning their responsibilities under IDEA and now offers additional training and consultation differentiated for districts, which are allowable activities for IDEA Part B subgrant reimbursement.
Consultation services are available as a fee for service based on the individual client’s needs and preferences. We hear from many families that services are frequently not coordinated or helpful. As such, here are examples of how we can help:
- Assist with developing family-friendly communications such as emails, procedures, or website content.
- Strengthen family engagement outreach and strategies.
- Provide a comprehensive overview of our programs and share resources at your staff meeting.
- Arrange for parents from our Family Faculty program to share their stories as part of in-service training for your employees.
- Train family members on your advisory council, board, or committee, to be more effective members of your group; for example, your agency could sponsor a parent’s attendance at the Vermont Leadership Series.
- Conduct a focus group or listening session with the families you serve to get input and improvement ideas.
- Coach your organization in creating your own parent match or parent-to-parent support program.
- Conduct a comprehensive needs assessment.
- Compile resource lists for your county or communities.
- Provide evaluative feedback on school-based training plans and content for schools and/or organizations implementing their own training.
- Consult on building parent advisory groups or parent social groups.
- Consult with schools on areas of concern from State reviews or State monitoring visits when family engagement is an improvement activity or corrective action item.
Vermont Family Network can also contract with schools on family engagement work. From partnering on addressing needs concerning significant disproportionality to bolstering engagement in annual parent engagement surveys to improving compliant transition plans to outreach efforts in locating children and families as part of Child Find, we know how to foster meaningful engagement.
VFN offers camp staff training as a fee for service. Is your camp staff prepared to work with children and youth with disabilities and special health needs? Could they benefit from exercises in perspective-taking so they can meet campers where they are? Are they able to engage with families who are impacted by their child’s disability or health need? A prepared staff is critical to understanding legal obligations, designing, and implementing safe and satisfying services, to meeting leisure needs, and to offering cost-effective options.
The Vermont Family Network can offer virtual or on-site training of staff on a variety of topics:
- Inclusive Day Camps/Inclusion Principles
- Effective Communication and Collaboration with Families
- Understanding Characteristics of Autism
- Understanding Characteristics of Anxiety/Depression
- Understanding Characteristics of ADHD
- Understanding Characteristics of Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities
- Understanding Challenging Behavior
- Avoiding Ableist Language and Respecting Differences
What topics do workshops cover?
Who are the Trainers?
Karen graduated from Yale University with a B.A. in economics/political science and earned her Master of Business Administration from Georgetown University. Her two sons were born in Germany, and her younger son was diagnosed with Koolen-deVries Syndrome. She has been the Parent Training and Information Center Project Director and Family Support Director at the Vermont Family Network since January 2014. Prior to that, she worked as a Family Support Consultant at the Vermont Parent Information Center for nine years. She has supported parents of children with disabilities within the educational system in both capacities and is a strong proponent of inclusion and equitable education. She has developed and delivered training presentations on topics around the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504. Karen sits on various committees/councils representing families of children with disabilities.
Emmy graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Wichita State University and the University of the Southwest and earned her Master of Business Administration from the same institution. Emmy is honored to serve as Co-Director of Family Support-Health at Vermont Family Network, where she works alongside other families, like her own, who have children with special health needs. Before joining VFN, she founded a nonprofit organization focused on digital empowerment and education. Emmy has collaborated on developing curriculum around family engagement for health and home care providers and has had the opportunity to facilitate family leadership classes throughout Vermont. She believes deeply in the power of family voice to drive meaningful change within healthcare and support systems and is committed to working with families rather than for them. Her work is grounded in supporting families as they navigate the always-evolving systems of care, recognizing that digital empowerment and access to technology have become essential tools for families engaged in complex care coordination and advocacy.
Our Family Support Consultants have more than ten years of experience at VFN and “lived experience” parenting a child with disabilities and/or special health needs. We combine technical knowledge with practical experience and suggestions in a family-friendly way. Employees are not attorneys and do not provide legal advice. Our ultimate goal is to empower families through education and support, thereby increasing their capacity to be engaged and effective in every aspect of their child’s life.
Other qualified staff members from the organization as appropriate to training topics.
Helpline
Call us at (802) 876-5315 or email [email protected].
- We’re here to listen and help with any needs or concerns you have about you or your child’s health, education, or well-being.
- We welcome calls from service providers and professionals who support children and their families.
- Conversations are confidential and services are free. There are no eligibility requirements or forms to fill out.
- We are parents of children with special health needs or disabilities and understand the challenges and gifts our children offer.
- Our team has many years of experience. We offer individualized assistance along with practical approaches and tips.
- When you call, we will:
- Listen to your needs
- Ask clarifying questions to get more information about the situation and your priorities
- Talk about how processes work
- Point you to helpful information and resources
- Think and brainstorm together on possible options and next steps
- Send resource information we discussed in a follow-up email or by regular mail
- We are a family organization providing peer support. We don’t tell you what to do. You decide what works best for you and your family. Our hope is that everyone gets the support they need and doesn’t feel alone!
- Interpreters are available upon request. An overview of our Family Support programs has been translated into Arabic, French, Mandarin, Nepali and Spanish.
Ways to Connect
Contact Us
Call us at (802) 876-5315 or email [email protected].
Fax number: 802-876-6291
Monthly E-Newsletter
Sign up for our monthly E-news, which is for families and those who support them. You will find information about upcoming events, resources, and helpful tips.
Facebook Groups
You can follow us on Facebook: Vermont Family Network and Puppets in Education.
Closed Facebook Group
If you’re a parent, you can join our closed Facebook groups Vermont Families of Children with Special Health Care Needs or Vermont Families of Adults with Disabilities or Special Health Care Needs. In these closed groups, families of children with special health care needs, educational needs, and disabilities can engage in discussions, ask for support, and meet members of the community. This group is only for parents, family members, and people in a parenting role. This group is not for professionals or service providers. Please no advertising.
Parent Matches
Would you like to talk with another parent? Learning that your child has a special health need or developmental disability can be isolating and frightening. You don’t need to be alone.
Learn more about our Parent Match program by watching our Parent Match Program Video (22 minutes) and reading our Frequently Asked Questions and Answers. Here is an example of how the program works as told from the perspective of two parents.
Vermont Family Network has been the Vermont chapter of Parent to Parent USA for more than 30 years. We are in the process of breathing new life into our Parent Match Program, and invite you to watch this brief video interview to learn more about how this program is growing and evolving, as well as being adapted to meet the needs of families during the pandemic.
Talking on the phone with a parent who has “been there” can offer a source of empathy, hope, encouragement, and problem solving. We connect families of children with special needs with other families for support and information. Parents should never feel alone!
At no cost to you, we offer 1:1 parent matches in Vermont and nationally through Parent to Parent USA. Parent matches are made based on your self-identified needs such as:
• New diagnosis
• Community resources
• Medical, mental health, and behavioral issues and experiences
• Education or health care systems
• Transitions
Parents have said that this is an invaluable gift. “We may not have answers, but we can hold hands and give each other courage.” Our staff are parents of children with special health needs. We look forward to talking with you!
Schedule a Puppets in Education Presentation
Want to invite Puppets in Education to your school or organization?
*Please note that we are fully booked for the 2023-2024 school year. Any requests we receive will automatically go into the queue for the 2024-2025 school year. Thank you for your patience and your commitment to your students.
Puppets in Education 2023-2024 Program Offerings
- Anxiety Puppet Program (PK-2)
- Anxiety Puppet Program (3-4)
- Stress/Anxiety Middle School Workshop (4-6)
- Bullying Prevention Puppet Program (K-4)
- Kindness & Stress Puppet Program (K-4)
- Feelings (PK-1)
- Cerebral Palsy & Disability Awareness (3-4)
- Autism Demystification (PK-4) Friend2Friend Program*
- Sexual Abuse Awareness (K-4)
If you are interested in learning more, complete this form to get started and we’ll contact you.
Funding For Families
Would you like to learn more about your child’s diagnosis? Does your child have medical needs not covered by your insurance? We may have funding opportunities that can help! We have translated funding info-graphics in Arabic, French, Mandarin, Nepali and Spanish.
Conference Fund
Parents may apply for a grant to attend a conference related to their child’s diagnosis. Covered expenses may include registration, lodging, and travel costs. The maximum grant is $100 for a conference in Vermont, $200 for a conference that is out-of-state and up to $100 for virtual conferences.
Flutie Fund
*All Flutie Funding for 2024 has been distributed. Please check back next year for information on Flutie Funds. You can also stay current by signing up for our newsletter and connecting with us on Facebook and Instagram.
Families who have children birth to age 22 with an autism diagnosis may request up to $200 for needed equipment, respite, camp, therapies, emergency childcare, or to attend a conference related to their child’s diagnosis.
We are pleased to announce we have received a $12,500 grant for 2023. There will be a limit of one grant per family for each calendar year. Complete either a fillable application or a printable application and mail or email it to [email protected]. Funds are made available through the generosity of the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism.
Family Support Fund
Income-eligible families of children aged 0 up to 21, with special health care needs may apply for funding for self-identified respite needs or for assistance with unmet medical expenses. CSHN FY 24 ANNUAL at 500% Federal Poverty Level Chart.
Respite is a planned break for parents or caregivers, which allows time to spend with other children, to schedule necessary appointments, or to have an opportunity to rest and recharge. A family may initially request up to $600 for respite needs.
Medically Necessary funds can be used for equipment, medications, travel costs, and therapies. Supporting documentation from the child’s healthcare provider may be required. A family may request up to $1200. MNSF requests: [email protected] or your child’s CSHN Social Worker. Medical Necessity Documentation Form.
Families may apply for a total of $1200/family for respite and/or medically necessary expenses combined. For more information, please print or download our Family Support Fund Flyer.
Support Group Fund
Parents interested in starting a new support group may apply for a $200 grant to help offset startup costs. We will support you in the startup and will help spread the word.
Vermont Respite Support Program
Families who are not currently using respite funding and that have a child (up to the age of 19) with a chronic physical, medical, mental, or developmental condition OR
- Are experiencing “special needs” that are destabilizing, for instance: homelessness, economic hardships, and/or DCF Family Services involvement
- Are suspected of a diagnosis, and waiting for an evaluation
- Require health and related services of a type or amount beyond that required by children and youth generally
Or are a parent/caregiver with a disability that has a child (up to the age of 19) living at home; or are a relative caregiver with a child(ren) living with them; or are a Parent/Caregiver of an adopted child(ren) may be eligible for this funding.
For more information on how to apply for the program, please print or download our Vermont Respite Support Program Flyer.
Grant Funding Resource List
If you have a child with a special health care need or disability and are in need of financial assistance, you may be eligible for one or more of the grants on our Grant Funding Resource List.
Make a Referral
You can make a referral by getting the parent’s permission and their contact information and then calling us at (802) 876-5315, faxing us at (802) 876-6291 or sending an email to [email protected]. We’ll take it from there!
We look forward to hearing from you!
In-person Support
Make an appointment to meet with Family Support staff to discuss your concerns about your child’s health, education or well-being. We can help you fill out forms, prepare for upcoming meetings at school or in the community, and review resources and supports. On a limited basis, Family Support staff may be available to attend a school or health-related meeting with you or participate via virtual means. We also provide Parent rep support for coordinated services plan (CSP)/Act 264 and Local Interagency Team meetings.
Please call 802-876-5315 or email us at [email protected] to schedule an in-person meeting.
Sibshops
Sibshops provide brothers and sisters an opportunity to:
- Meet other brothers and sisters who “know” what it’s like to be a sibling
- Have an opportunity to talk about, and to listen to, others’ concerns related to being a sibling of a child with special health needs, in a supportive non-judgmental environment
- Make new friends, learn new games, do crafts, and share a snack.
Sibshops are for children and youth ages 8+. The program is open to those who are siblings of brothers and sisters who have special health needs. “Special health needs” includes anyone with a medical concern, such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy or cystic fibrosis; a developmental disability such as Down Syndrome, or autism; intellectual disability or any other chronic disability or health condition. Learn more by taking a look at our Sibshop Frequently Asked Questions and Answers. Our staff will be monitoring Vermont’s COVID-19 rates and guidelines/mandates carefully, and are prepared to adjust activities as needed.
- Check out the 2024-2025 Sibshop Activity Descriptions.
- To register your child(ren) please complete this 2024-2025 registration form.
- Read the 2024-2025 Sibshop Bios.
- For questions, information or to be added to the Sibshop E-mail distribution list, please contact [email protected] or (802) 876-5315.
Sibshops are a collaborative effort of Vermont Family Network and the Vermont Department of Health: Children with Special Health Needs.
Support Groups
Learning that your child has a special health need or disability can be isolating and frightening. You don’t need to be alone. Some parents find it helpful to attend a support group. We have compiled a list of support groups for your convenience. Our support group list also includes a list of social groups for individuals with disabilities and sources of on-line/phone support. We don’t endorse any particular group. It’s best to call before attending your first meeting.
What can you expect when you attend a parent support group?
- Meet other parents and family members who have similar experiences
- Share concerns and celebrate successes
- Problem solve around current challenges
- Share practical and helpful suggestions
- Listen and share coping strategies
A support group facilitator said, “People don’t always need advice. Sometimes all they really need is a hand to hold, an ear to listen, and a heart to understand them.”
If you are a parent and want to start a support group, we would like to help so please give us a call. We can guide you in Organizing and Maintaining a Support Group and add your group to our list.
Please keep in mind that we also offer at no cost to you, 1:1 parent matches in Vermont and nationally through Parent to Parent USA.
Helpline
Call us at (802) 876-5315 or email [email protected].
- We’re here to listen and help with any needs or concerns you have about you or your child’s health, education, or well-being.
- We welcome calls from service providers and professionals who support children and their families.
- Conversations are confidential and services are free. There are no eligibility requirements or forms to fill out.
- We are parents of children with special health needs or disabilities and understand the challenges and gifts our children offer.
- Our team has many years of experience. We offer individualized assistance along with practical approaches and tips.
- When you call, we will:
- Listen to your needs
- Ask clarifying questions to get more information about the situation and your priorities
- Talk about how processes work
- Point you to helpful information and resources
- Think and brainstorm together on possible options and next steps
- Send resource information we discussed in a follow-up email or by regular mail
- We are a family organization providing peer support. We don’t tell you what to do. You decide what works best for you and your family. Our hope is that everyone gets the support they need and doesn’t feel alone!
- Interpreters are available upon request. An overview of our Family Support programs has been translated into Arabic, French, Mandarin, Nepali and Spanish.
Ways to Connect
Contact Us
Call us at (802) 876-5315 or email [email protected].
Fax number: 802-876-6291
Monthly E-Newsletter
Sign up for our monthly E-news, which is for families and those who support them. You will find information about upcoming events, resources, and helpful tips.
Facebook Groups
You can follow us on Facebook: Vermont Family Network and Puppets in Education.
Closed Facebook Group
If you’re a parent, you can join our closed Facebook groups Vermont Families of Children with Special Health Care Needs or Vermont Families of Adults with Disabilities or Special Health Care Needs. In these closed groups, families of children with special health care needs, educational needs, and disabilities can engage in discussions, ask for support, and meet members of the community. This group is only for parents, family members, and people in a parenting role. This group is not for professionals or service providers. Please no advertising.
Parent Matches
Would you like to talk with another parent? Learning that your child has a special health need or developmental disability can be isolating and frightening. You don’t need to be alone.
Learn more about our Parent Match program by watching our Parent Match Program Video (22 minutes) and reading our Frequently Asked Questions and Answers. Here is an example of how the program works as told from the perspective of two parents.
Vermont Family Network has been the Vermont chapter of Parent to Parent USA for more than 30 years. We are in the process of breathing new life into our Parent Match Program, and invite you to watch this brief video interview to learn more about how this program is growing and evolving, as well as being adapted to meet the needs of families during the pandemic.
Talking on the phone with a parent who has “been there” can offer a source of empathy, hope, encouragement, and problem solving. We connect families of children with special needs with other families for support and information. Parents should never feel alone!
At no cost to you, we offer 1:1 parent matches in Vermont and nationally through Parent to Parent USA. Parent matches are made based on your self-identified needs such as:
• New diagnosis
• Community resources
• Medical, mental health, and behavioral issues and experiences
• Education or health care systems
• Transitions
Parents have said that this is an invaluable gift. “We may not have answers, but we can hold hands and give each other courage.” Our staff are parents of children with special health needs. We look forward to talking with you!
Schedule a Puppets in Education Presentation
Want to invite Puppets in Education to your school or organization?
*Please note that we are fully booked for the 2023-2024 school year. Any requests we receive will automatically go into the queue for the 2024-2025 school year. Thank you for your patience and your commitment to your students.
Puppets in Education 2023-2024 Program Offerings
- Anxiety Puppet Program (PK-2)
- Anxiety Puppet Program (3-4)
- Stress/Anxiety Middle School Workshop (4-6)
- Bullying Prevention Puppet Program (K-4)
- Kindness & Stress Puppet Program (K-4)
- Feelings (PK-1)
- Cerebral Palsy & Disability Awareness (3-4)
- Autism Demystification (PK-4) Friend2Friend Program*
- Sexual Abuse Awareness (K-4)
If you are interested in learning more, complete this form to get started and we’ll contact you.
Funding For Families
Would you like to learn more about your child’s diagnosis? Does your child have medical needs not covered by your insurance? We may have funding opportunities that can help! We have translated funding info-graphics in Arabic, French, Mandarin, Nepali and Spanish.
Conference Fund
Parents may apply for a grant to attend a conference related to their child’s diagnosis. Covered expenses may include registration, lodging, and travel costs. The maximum grant is $100 for a conference in Vermont, $200 for a conference that is out-of-state and up to $100 for virtual conferences.
Flutie Fund
*All Flutie Funding for 2024 has been distributed. Please check back next year for information on Flutie Funds. You can also stay current by signing up for our newsletter and connecting with us on Facebook and Instagram.
Families who have children birth to age 22 with an autism diagnosis may request up to $200 for needed equipment, respite, camp, therapies, emergency childcare, or to attend a conference related to their child’s diagnosis.
We are pleased to announce we have received a $12,500 grant for 2023. There will be a limit of one grant per family for each calendar year. Complete either a fillable application or a printable application and mail or email it to [email protected]. Funds are made available through the generosity of the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism.
Family Support Fund
Income-eligible families of children aged 0 up to 21, with special health care needs may apply for funding for self-identified respite needs or for assistance with unmet medical expenses. CSHN FY 24 ANNUAL at 500% Federal Poverty Level Chart.
Respite is a planned break for parents or caregivers, which allows time to spend with other children, to schedule necessary appointments, or to have an opportunity to rest and recharge. A family may initially request up to $600 for respite needs.
Medically Necessary funds can be used for equipment, medications, travel costs, and therapies. Supporting documentation from the child’s healthcare provider may be required. A family may request up to $1200. MNSF requests: [email protected] or your child’s CSHN Social Worker. Medical Necessity Documentation Form.
Families may apply for a total of $1200/family for respite and/or medically necessary expenses combined. For more information, please print or download our Family Support Fund Flyer.
Support Group Fund
Parents interested in starting a new support group may apply for a $200 grant to help offset startup costs. We will support you in the startup and will help spread the word.
Vermont Respite Support Program
Families who are not currently using respite funding and that have a child (up to the age of 19) with a chronic physical, medical, mental, or developmental condition OR
- Are experiencing “special needs” that are destabilizing, for instance: homelessness, economic hardships, and/or DCF Family Services involvement
- Are suspected of a diagnosis, and waiting for an evaluation
- Require health and related services of a type or amount beyond that required by children and youth generally
Or are a parent/caregiver with a disability that has a child (up to the age of 19) living at home; or are a relative caregiver with a child(ren) living with them; or are a Parent/Caregiver of an adopted child(ren) may be eligible for this funding.
For more information on how to apply for the program, please print or download our Vermont Respite Support Program Flyer.
Grant Funding Resource List
If you have a child with a special health care need or disability and are in need of financial assistance, you may be eligible for one or more of the grants on our Grant Funding Resource List.
Make a Referral
You can make a referral by getting the parent’s permission and their contact information and then calling us at (802) 876-5315, faxing us at (802) 876-6291 or sending an email to [email protected]. We’ll take it from there!
We look forward to hearing from you!
In-person Support
Make an appointment to meet with Family Support staff to discuss your concerns about your child’s health, education or well-being. We can help you fill out forms, prepare for upcoming meetings at school or in the community, and review resources and supports. On a limited basis, Family Support staff may be available to attend a school or health-related meeting with you or participate via virtual means. We also provide Parent rep support for coordinated services plan (CSP)/Act 264 and Local Interagency Team meetings.
Please call 802-876-5315 or email us at [email protected] to schedule an in-person meeting.
Sibshops
Sibshops provide brothers and sisters an opportunity to:
- Meet other brothers and sisters who “know” what it’s like to be a sibling
- Have an opportunity to talk about, and to listen to, others’ concerns related to being a sibling of a child with special health needs, in a supportive non-judgmental environment
- Make new friends, learn new games, do crafts, and share a snack.
Sibshops are for children and youth ages 8+. The program is open to those who are siblings of brothers and sisters who have special health needs. “Special health needs” includes anyone with a medical concern, such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy or cystic fibrosis; a developmental disability such as Down Syndrome, or autism; intellectual disability or any other chronic disability or health condition. Learn more by taking a look at our Sibshop Frequently Asked Questions and Answers. Our staff will be monitoring Vermont’s COVID-19 rates and guidelines/mandates carefully, and are prepared to adjust activities as needed.
- Check out the 2024-2025 Sibshop Activity Descriptions.
- To register your child(ren) please complete this 2024-2025 registration form.
- Read the 2024-2025 Sibshop Bios.
- For questions, information or to be added to the Sibshop E-mail distribution list, please contact [email protected] or (802) 876-5315.
Sibshops are a collaborative effort of Vermont Family Network and the Vermont Department of Health: Children with Special Health Needs.
Support Groups
Learning that your child has a special health need or disability can be isolating and frightening. You don’t need to be alone. Some parents find it helpful to attend a support group. We have compiled a list of support groups for your convenience. Our support group list also includes a list of social groups for individuals with disabilities and sources of on-line/phone support. We don’t endorse any particular group. It’s best to call before attending your first meeting.
What can you expect when you attend a parent support group?
- Meet other parents and family members who have similar experiences
- Share concerns and celebrate successes
- Problem solve around current challenges
- Share practical and helpful suggestions
- Listen and share coping strategies
A support group facilitator said, “People don’t always need advice. Sometimes all they really need is a hand to hold, an ear to listen, and a heart to understand them.”
If you are a parent and want to start a support group, we would like to help so please give us a call. We can guide you in Organizing and Maintaining a Support Group and add your group to our list.
Please keep in mind that we also offer at no cost to you, 1:1 parent matches in Vermont and nationally through Parent to Parent USA.
Please fill out the request form and we will get back to you to discuss your needs and for information about our fees or call 802-876-5315 and ask for the Training Specialist.