What an exciting time at Parent to Parent of Vermont! It is with great
pleasure that we announce that on June 11, the Boards of Directors of
Parent to Parent of Vermont and the Vermont Parent Information Center (VPIC) voted to merge
our two organizations. The two organizations will begin implementing an
integration plan immediately while we continue to operate as our
respective organizations until June 30, 2008. Starting July 1, 2008, we
will be known as the Vermont Family Network.We are excited by this opportunity to provide a continuum of support to families throughout Vermont that is family-centered, comprehensive, and easy to access. By merging, Parent to Parent of Vermont and the Vermont Parent Information Center combine their talents and expertise in partnering with families and professionals to achieve better outcomes for children, youth and adults with special needs.
While a merger may raise concerns about the impact on services, we have great confidence that this will not hinder our services but instead will improve and streamline supports for families. This means that you will still talk with the same supportive, knowledgeable, and empathic people on the phone, still get the most up-to-date resources, information and support, and still rely on excellent family-centered service.
We believe services will be even better because health information, education information, and other supports will be under one roof; we will have greater regional presence throughout the state; we can reach more families with our combined databases; and we can use that resource to help galvanize and mobilize parent and self-advocate voices. One phone call to one organization will connect you to a world of resources and support. We hope that you will be as excited as we are.
Our first step towards a merged organization is the Partners In Care conference. Registration material is on the paper version of this newsletter on pages 8-11 and available here on our website. (Please register now; a separate brochure will not be mailed to you.)
In addition to the merger, we are monitoring a number of advocacy issues that impact families. Our Family Voices section highlights some proposed changes to Medicaid that could have a far-reaching and damaging impact on families of children with special health needs. To keep abreast of the changing healthcare issue, I urge you to join our listserv (click ‘Join Our Listserv’).
Lastly, the holidays are approaching. By the time this newsletter hits your mailbox, you will be seeing holiday decorations and hearing festive songs in your local retail store. Juggling holiday expectations can be exhausting and can have the opposite effect of what holidays should be about! Our own Joanne Wechsler writes from the heart and provides a few tips and tricks to help you navigate the seasonal waters.
Please be in touch – let me know how we are doing and what you hope for our new organization.©
(We're repeating
below because we think these pictures are cute!)
2nd Annual Walk-a-Thon & Family Fun Day! March 29th
At Saint Michael’s College from 2-8pm. Saint Michael’s College and the University of Vermont will again organize this festive fundraiser. Stay tuned! This will also be updated via our listserv ©
Annual Appeal:
Please Give - Help Make Our Programs Possible!
Parent to Parent
of Vermont may be merging, but we still have our nationally known and
respected programs to fund and run. While we reach many families in
Vermont whose children have special health care needs, there are many
that do not yet know about us.Help us make sure no family is left wondering if they alone have this diagnosis to manage, if they have to
walk alone through the maze of services and agencies, if they alone have to do it all.
No family has to be alone. Your
donation can help families throughout the state know that they have a
friend at Parent to Parent of Vermont. Donate
Online (this is a direct link) ©
