Join Us for NAMIWalks Your Way October 9th!

This year’s NAMIWalks Your Way Vermont is going to look a little different – while making a lot of difference! We’re going HYBRID!

We are happy to offer up a little something for everyone this year with our hybrid event so that you can participate at your own comfort level. Along with offering some of the virtual elements we introduced with our virtual event in 2020, we are also hosting a traditional in-person walk in downtown Burlington (in compliance with the local health department COVID-19 guidelines).

NAMIWalks Your Way Vermont
Saturday, October 9, 2021

Virtual Activities All Day!
In Person Walk at 1:00 pm (Check in starts at Noon)
at First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington

What does a HYBRID Walk Look Like?

We are happy to offer you multiple options for how to participate this year so that you can make this special United Day of Hope exactly what you want it to be and at your own comfort level. That’s why it’s called “Your Way!”

We are giving you the choice to:

• Join us online virtually on Saturday for a day of live streaming, videos, photos and updates.

• Create your own activity for the day – walk in your neighborhood, take a bike ride, go leaf peeping, practice yoga.

• Or join us for our in-person walk around downtown Burlington.

However you choose to spend the day, know that you are making a difference in your community! But don’t just take our word for it! Here why others love to participate in NAMIWalks Your Way:

Be a Part of Our Big Day!

Register today, set up a fundraising page, and join us on October 9!
Visit www.namiwalks.org/vermont to get started!

Vermont Family Network Publications

Below is a list of all of the Vermont Family Network publications in alphabetical order. This list includes our Fact Sheets and other publications. 

• Administrative Complaint Fact Sheet

• Administrative Complaint Template for Compensatory Services

• Administrative Complaint Template for Special Education Evaluation Delay

• Adult Services for People with Developmental Disabilities Fact Sheet

• Advocating for Your Child Fact Sheet

• Anxiety Disorders in Children information packet

• Assistive Technology (AT) and School Fact Sheet

• Assistive Technology Evaluations Fact Sheet

• Building Winning Partnerships Fact Sheet

• Bullying and Harassment BEST Packet

• Care Notebook; Also available in Nepali upon request

• Common Signs of Learning Difficulties in Preschoolers Fact Sheet

• Covid-19: Questions to Consider Before Schools Reopen

• Did You Hear What I Said Fact Sheet

• Disabled Children’s Home Care (also referred to as Katie Beckett) Medicaid application & information packet is only available hard copy. Please contact our office.

• Due Process Complaint Fact Sheet

• Early Childhood Special Education Fact Sheet

• Eligibility for Special Education Fact Sheet

• Finding and Hiring a Child’s Personal Care Attendant Fact Sheet

• Functional Behavioral Assessment Fact Sheet

• Going to Work and College: Information for Youth on Supplemental Security Income

• Grant Funding Resource List

• Guardianship and Alternatives for Adults with Disabilities Fact Sheet

• Guide for Families with Children Traveling to Out-of-State Placements

• Helping Children Understand How to Solve Math Problems Fact Sheet

• Helping Children Who Struggle With Spelling Fact Sheet

• Holistic Transition Guide for Families of Children with Disabilities

• How Parents can Promote Reading Fluency at Home Fact Sheet

• I Have Homework. I Don’t Remember What It Is Fact Sheet

• Including Students with Disabilities Fact Sheet

• Individualized Education Program (IEP) Fact Sheet

• In the Driver’s Seat Curriculum for Youth with Disabilities

• Legislative Advocacy Tip Sheet Fact Sheet

• Mediation Fact Sheet

• Medical Home for Children with Special Health Care Needs Fact Sheet

• Neuropsychological Evaluations Fact Sheet

• Parents Guide to Section 504 in Schools Fact Sheet

• Parents Rights in Special Education Fact Sheet

• Positive Behavioral Supports (VTPBiS): A Guide for Parents

• Reading Development and Instruction Beginning in the K-2 Classrooms Fact Sheet

• Recreation for Children and Young Adults with Disabilities Fact Sheet

• Resource Guide for Families of Children with Special Needs Planning to Move to Vermont

• Resource Guide for Parents of Transition-Age Youth with an Emotional Disability

• Response to Intervention (RTI): A Guide for Parents

• Restraint and Seclusion in Vermont Schools Fact Sheet

• Revoking Consent for Special Education Services Fact Sheet

• Sample Letter Requesting a Meeting to Discuss Compensatory Education Services

• Sample Letter to Request Compensatory Education Services – Transition to Adult Life

• Sample Letter Requesting a Meeting to Discuss Compensatory Education Services with Extended School Year (ESY) Component

• Sample Letter Family Request for Language Access

• Sample Letter Review Your Child’s Educational Records

• Sample Letters Special Education

• School Suspension and Expulsion Fact Sheet

• Six Ways to Access Medicaid

• Special Education Acronyms Fact Sheet

• Summer Camps List 2021

• Summer Services The Extended School Year Fact sheet

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) What you should know when your child turns 18

• Support Groups in Vermont

• Supported Decision Making Fact Sheet

• Supporting My Child with Intensive Social Emotional Needs Using PBiS Fact Sheet

• Teaching Designed for All Students Fact Sheet

• Teaching Friendship Through Literature Fact Sheet

• Transition to Adulthood Fact Sheet

• Transition to Adulthood Toolkit for Youth with Disabilities

• Transportation Fact Sheet

• Travel Guide for Vermont Families Receiving Care at Boston Children’s Hospital

• Vermont’s Early Childhood Developmental Disorders Insurance Fact Sheet

• Vermont Family Network brochure in 6 languages (English, French, Nepali, Somali, Spanish, and Swahili)

• What to Do When Children Have Trouble with Writing Fact Sheet

ABLE Accounts in Vermont

During the 2015 State legislative session, the Office of the State Treasurer worked with Vermont stakeholders, State agencies and departments, and legislators to draft and pass Vermont's enabling legislation of the federal ABLE Act. The Vermont Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Savings Program is intended to ease financial strains faced by individuals with disabilities by making federal tax-free savings accounts available to cover qualified expenses such as education, housing, and transportation. American families currently enjoy tax incentives to save for significant future expenses such as college, retirement, and other life events. The ABLE Act empowers disabled individuals and their families to save their own money in a 529A (or ABLE) account for the purpose of maintaining health and independence.

What is a 529-ABLE Account?

• The ABLE National Resource Center

• The ABLE National Resource Center "10 Things You Should Know"

• Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act Description

A 529-ABLE account or 529A, allows for an account within Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and is a (Federal) tax-free savings vehicle operated by a state for disability-related expenses that will supplement, but not supplant, benefits provided through private insurances, the Medicaid program, the supplemental security income program, the beneficiary’s employment, and other sources. Contributions are in federal after-tax dollars, but earnings would grow tax-free just like with 529 college savings accounts (Roth style). Withdrawals must be for qualified expenses.

VermontABLE

VermontABLE launched on February 22, 2017.  Vermonters can sign up  for VermontABLE at VermontABLE.com.

https://www.vermonttreasurer.gov/content/VT-ABLE

Disability Rights Vermont COVID-19 Resource Guide

Disability Rights Vermont Continues to Help People with Disabilities Our staff remains committed to our clients and to protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities throughout Vermont. We are aware that our clients may be at greater risk in times of crisis and may need access to advocates and lawyers. Call our confidential intake line at 1-800-834-7890 anytime and leave a message, we will contact you as soon as possible. You can also email us at: info@disabilityrightsvt.org. If you are currently working with one of our advocates or attorneys, they are available via telephone or email.

Disability Rights Vermont COVID-19 Resource Guide

Vermont Family Network

Check back – We’re adding resources daily!

Vermont Resources

Health & Well-Being

Puppets in Education Anxiety Program Home Edition for children and families: Video and Guide to Getting the Conversation Going

Department of VT Health Access Covid-19 Updates

Facebook Group – State of Emergency Order for Caregivers (parents getting paid to care for loved ones)

Form for Essential Works to Request Childcare; Essential Persons for Childcare

Students with Disabilities & Special Education 

Vermont Agency of Education Questions & Answers Addressing the Needs of Students with Disabilities During School Closure Due to a Novel Coronavirus Outbreak (revised 3/19/20)  

Vermont Agency of Education – Free Appropriate Public Education for Students with Disabilities During School Closure Called for in Governor Scott’s Order – AOE Continuity of Education Plan Guidance 2, Updated 3/17/20

Vermont Department of Health & Vermont Agency of Education – School Closure and Dismissal During a Novel Coronavirus, Technical Guidance for Local School Officials, 3/10/20

Vermont Agency of Education Question and Answers on Addressing the Needs of Students with Disabilities During School Closure due to a Novel Coronavirus Outbreak

CIS (Children’s Integrated Services) Guidance to the Field Re: Covid-19 (3/19/20)

Basic Family Needs

Connectivity resources to support Vermonters during Covid-19 State of Emergency in Vermont

Food – Hunger Free Vermont

Legal and Benefits Updates for Vermonters

Miscellaneous

Guide to Virtual Museum Resources, E-Learning, and Online Collections

National Resources

Health

Autism Covid-19 Resources

CDC Guidelines If You Are Sick or Caring for Someone

Family Voices Emergency Preparedness 

Special Education

U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)

U.S. Department of Education Supplemental Fact Sheet Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Preschool, Elementary and Secondary Schools While Serving Children with Disabilities (3/21/20)

UDL Scan Tool from the Center on Online Learning and Students with Disabilities

Translated Resources from Vermont

New! Vermont website with many translated Covid-19 materials: Vermont 411 – Resources for Everyone in our Community

Short videos created in Vermont about Covid-19 in these languages: Arabic, Bosnian, Dinka, English, French, Kirundi,  Lingala, Nepali,Somali, Spanish, and Swahili. More detailed videos in these languages: Nepali and Vietnamese. Covid-19 videos in different languages are on this YouTube channel. 

Vermont Department of Health has a general information document Tips to Help Keep Illness from Spreading:

Arabic, Burmese, Chinese, English, French, Kirundi, Nepali,  Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Vietnamese 

Vermont Department of Health What You Need to Know About Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) in Arabic| Burmese| Chinese |English| French| Kirundi| Nepali| Somali| Spanish| Swahili| Vietnamese

Covid-19 Information By and For People with Disabilities (written in plain language by Green Mountain Self-Advocates)