VERMONT FAMILY NETWORK INC

VERMONT FAMILY NETWORK (VFN) EMPOWERS AND SUPPORTS ALL VERMONT FAMILIES OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. VFN IS THE FEDERALLY DESIGNATED FAMILY TO FAMILY HEALTH INFORMATION CENTER AND THE PARENT TRAINING AND INFORMATION CENTER FOR VERMONT, AS WELL AS THE STATE'S PARENT TO PARENT AND FAMILY VOICES ORGANIZATION. VFN PROVIDES SUPPORT, INFORMATION AND TRAINING AS WELL AS LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES THROUGHOUT VERMONT. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR ITS EDUCATION, HUMAN SERVICES, AND MEDICAL COMMUNITY PARTNERS, AS WELL AS UTILIZING THE EXPERTISE OF 31 SKILLED STAFF, MANY OF WHOM ARE THEMSELVES PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. THEIR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE UNIQUELY QUALIFIES THESE STAFF TO EFFECTIVELY SUPPORT AND INFORM THE FAMILIES WHO CONTACT VERMONT FAMILY NETWORK FOR HELP. VERMONT FAMILY NETWORK IS A HUB OF INFORMATION, REFERRAL AND ASSISTANCE SERVICES LOCATED IN WILLISTON, WITH COMMUNITY-BASED REGIONAL FAMILY SUPPORT CONSULTANTS IN NEWPORT AND RUTLAND. VFN STRIVES TO EDUCATE FAMILIES ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS AND THEIR RESOURCES, AND TO ASSIST PROFESSIONALS IN UNDERSTANDING AND FULLY ENGAGING FAMILIES AS PARTNERS IN EVERY CHILD'S SUCCESS. DESPITE REDUCED RESOURCES AND THE CHALLENGES OF THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC, VERMONT FAMILY NETWORK'S EFFORTS THIS YEAR WERE STRONG, INCLUDING: 1)STATEWIDE FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT SERVED OVER 1300 FAMILIES OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES AND/OR SPECIAL NEEDS THROUGH WORKSHOPS AND WEBINARS(ALSO RECORDED FOR 24/7 ACCESS ON THE WEBSITE) 2)THE PUPPETS IN EDUCATION PROGRAM THAT SERVED OVER 6,850 CHILDREN AND 963 ADULTS ACROSS NEW ENGLAND.ACROSS PROGRAMS, HIGH RATES OF SATISFACTION WERE DOCUMENTED. LEVERAGING STRONG COMMUNITY COLLABORATIONS STATEWIDE, VFN MAKES A MEASURABLE DIFFERENCE FOR CHILDREN WHO HAVE A CHRONIC ILLNESS OR DISABILITY, THEIR FAMILIES, AND THE PROFESSIONALS WHO SERVE THEM.