News & Events

Posted May 1, 2008
Press Release: Vermont Spent Millions on Suspect Drug Zyprexa
MONTPELIER – As the lawsuits against Eli Lilly over its top-selling anti-schizophrenia drug Zyprexa began piling up in 2006, Vermont's state-run insurance program spent nearly $4 million on the drug, according to documents. That amount may seem like a drop in the bucket when compared to Zyprexa's 2007 sales of $4.8 billion in the United States, but the payments through Vermont's Medicaid program came at a time when 10 states and upwards of 30,000 people were suing the company over the drug. Launched in 1996, Zyprexa has become the top-selling medication... Read the rest of this story!


Posted April 9, 2008
Press Release: Lawmakers Struggle to Make Young Children a
Priority During Tough Economic Times
“As we face the budget challenges this year we have to decide the priorities for our future and how critical it is that the next generation of Vermonter’s are given the chance to be successful,” remarked Governor Douglas as he addressed advocates and legislators during a surprise appearance at the 14th annual Early Childhood Day at the Legislature luncheon on Friday, March 14, in Montpelier.  “Early education is critical in getting kids off on the right foot so they can get the skills they need to be future taxpayers,” Douglas concluded. Read the rest of this story!


Posted February 14, 2008
Did you get a new computer?
Have an old one you would like to donate?
We currently have a waiting list of families waiting for computers who really need them, and more families apply all the time. If you have a computer you are getting rid of, please consider donating it. VPIC partners with the National Cristina Foundation to provide recycled computers to Vermont families in need. All donated computers will be awarded to families on a first come first serve basis. Financial need will also serve as a guiding factor in determining recipients of the program. Whether you have a computer to donate, or are in need of one, check out all the details or download an application to receive a computer! If you have applied for a computer, we ask for your patience, there is currently a waiting list and we are doing everything we can to get new computers in.

Posted February 7, 2008
Vermont Federation of Families Job Openings
New job openings at the Vermont Federation of Families are now posted on-line. Please check the listings for two Peer Navigators positions. Thanks!


Posted February 6, 2008
VPIC Family Consultant Helpline Survey
How are we doing? VPIC values your opinion.  If you’ve worked with one of us recently, please take a few minutes to take the following online survey.  Your responses are anonymous and your feedback helps us be the best we can be in support of families.  Thanks! Please take the survey now!


Posted January 25, 2008
Vermont Guide to Families New to Autism Updated January, 2008
Download "NEXT STEPS - A guide for families new to autism spectrum disorders." This is a 29 page document with answers to questions, tons of information and loads of contacts in the state. The report was updated as of January, 2008.


Posted January 24, 2008
Provision of Special Education Services, Study required by
Sec. 15 of Act 82
The report has been requested to address one aspect of concern about the rising cost of education and its impact on the property tax. Several factors have contributed to schools bearing costs for support services for needy students that in the past would have either not have been provided or at some level would have been provided for and paid for in the state’s Agency of Human Services (AHS) budget. These support services are generally considered to be primarily within the area of special education but to a lesser degree may be found in regular education programs as well. Download a pdf of the 33 page document to read the entire report.


Posted January 23, 2008
H.449 An Act Relating to Foster Care Services and Supports Sec. 4. Study on Transitional Services for Youth
This document is intended to serve as the Secretary of Administration’s response to the requirements set forth in H.449 An Act Relating to Foster Care Services and Supports, Sec. 4. Study on Transitional Services for Youth enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont in May, 2007. The 2006 and 2007 legislative session addressed a variety of issues specifically related to youth aging out of the foster care system, youth with disabilities, and health care coverage for all youth. H.449, Section 4 looks specifically at youth transitioning to adulthood who experience developmental disabilities or a severe emotional disturbance. Download a pdf of the 14 page document to read the entire report.


Posted January 22, 2008
Report to the Legislature to Address Services for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Act 35 directed the Vermont Agency of Human Services to work collaboratively with the Vermont Department of Education to develop a plan for providing services across the lifespan to individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and their families. Seventy-five stakeholders formed a Steering Committee and five subcommittees to work on the plan. In addition to the work of the committees, five (5) community forums were held to gather public input on the direction the state should take in developing a system of care for people with ASD and their families. One hundred and ninety-five (195) people attended the forums, fifty-seven (57) individuals provided written comments, and five hundred and three (503) surveys were completed. Information from these sources was synthesized into this report. Download a pdf of the report to read the entire report. (Please note that this is a large file, 3mb, to download.)


Posted September 13, 2007
Supreme Court to Hear Oral Argument on October 1, 2007, on Whether all Children with Disabilities, Including Those who Attend Private Schools, are Entitled to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
The decision will have significant implications for parents, school districts, and children with disabilities who receive special education services. In New York City Board of Education v. Tom F., the Supreme Court will determine if a child will be forced to "try" an inappropriate placement before the parents can remove the child to an appropriate placement and seek reimbursement.If the Supreme Court affirms the decision by the Second Circuit, parents will have the right to obtain reimbursement from the public school even if the child was never enrolled in a public school special education program. For more information please read a detailed account regarding this court case.


Posted August 25, 2007
Howard Center Child, Youth & Family Services Invite you to
Join the Family Advisory Council
The Council is comprised of a host of family members who are currently being served by, or have been served in the past by, Child, Youth & Family Services (formerly known as the Baird Center for Children and Families).  The meeting is chaired by a Family member, and attended by some Howard Center staff.

Be a part of a group that makes a difference!  Offer your opinions on the current programs and future path of Child, Youth & Family Services.  Consider joining the Family Advisory Council today!

Meetings are held on the 3^rd Wednesday of every month, from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m; at 1138 Pine Street , Burlington , Vermont and lunch is provided and transportation support, as needed, is available! Check out the flyer for all the details and contact info!


Posted August 16, 2007
VPIC Announces $3.3 million PIRC Grant
The Vermont Parent Information Center (VPIC) is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a five-year grant totaling over $3.3 million from the US Department of Education to support and promote parent involvement – particularly among low income and minority families – in their child’s education and to build partnerships between parents and professionals to improve educational outcomes for children.

The grant funds – awarded as part of a national initiative related to the No Child Left Behind Act – are being used to create a parent information and resource center known as PIRC-Vermont. This is a sponsored project undertaken in collaboration with the 16 Parent Child Centers that make up the statewide Vermont Parent Child Center Network and Parent to Parent of Vermont. Read the complete Press Release for all the details!


Posted May 25, 2007
Medicaid Eligibility for Youth in Vermont
Download this four page bulletin from the Department for Children and Families which provides information to help youth ages 18, 19, and 20 and their families understand Medicaid eligibility requirements. The bulletin includes phone numbers to call for more information.


Posted February 19, 2007
Online Updates Available for VPIC's
Parent's Guide to the Special Education Process!
This 40-page booklet contains information, checklists, sample letters, and advice from parents. And now you can download updates to the Guide straight to your computer! If you are just beginning or are a veteran, the Guide can help you! And if you don't have a copy of the Guide yet, please contact us to find out more about it and how to order your own copy...


Posted January 29, 2007
NCLB and IDEA: What Parents of Students with Disabilities
Need to Know and Do (2006), by Candace Cortiella
A guide informing parents of students with disabilities about The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). These are two of the nation's most important federal laws relating to public education. While NCLB seeks to improve the education of all children - especially children from low-income families - IDEA focuses on the individual child and seeks to ensure specialized services for children with disabilities so they may benefit from education. Lately, these two laws have taken on new importance to parents of students with disabilities. NCLB provisions apply to all students, including those whose disabilities require special education. So parents need to understand the requirements of NCLB. IDEA, in its latest update by Congress, has been more closely aligned with NCLB, making it equally important that parents know how the two laws work together to improve academic achievement of students with disabilities.
Published by the Institute's National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO).
Cost: Free. Available online at http://education.umn.edu/nceo/
Download the pdf directly to your computer at http://education.umn.edu/nceo/OnlinePubs/Parents.pdf


Posted March 29, 2006
Individuals with Autism 911
In an effort to support those who care for individuals with autism, and to keep all individuals with autism safe, protected and happy, the Rutland County Early Childhood Council and Rutland City Police have designed a form for caregivers to complete and submit for inclusion in the Individuals with Autism 911 database. This database is designed to give law enforcement the necessary information to assist and respond to children and adults with autism. Caregivers are encouraged to read the form all the way through, fill it out, and submit it to: