A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Vermont Family Resource Partnership
Addison County Parent Child Center

Led by the Addison County Parent Child Center, the Vermont Family Resource Partnership (VFRP) is a cooperative effort among three Vermont organizations: The Vermont Parent Child Center Network (VPCCN), Parent to Parent of Vermont, and the Vermont Parent Information Center (VPIC). It combines and expands the resources of these organizations to assure the availability of comprehensive, coordinated family support and education services across Vermont.

Through assistance and support, VPCCN helps families with young children better understand and participate in their children's social, emotional, and academic growth. Centers help families get off to a healthy start and prevent problems such as: illiteracy, poor health, welfare dependence, family violence, and sexual, physical, or emotional abuse.

Parent to Parent of Vermont is a statewide support and information network for families whose children have a chronic illness or disability. It matches experienced, supporting parents who have children with disabilities with those families who are just beginning to meet the challenges of a disability within the family.

VPIC is a parent-helping-parents, organization that serves families of children with special needs and learning difficulties. VPIC is part of a national network of parent training and information centers that serves families of diverse cultural, ethnic, racial, economic and social backgrounds. VPIC reaches over 3,000 families and 1,500 professionals through individual assistance, information, referral, training, and recognition.

Vermont Family Resource Partnership Goals:

1. Operate Parents As Teachers (PAT) programs throughout Vermont.

2. Establish a parent mentoring program to assist parents in understanding their child's educational needs and assessing appropriate services.

3. Offer parent education classes and seminars.

4. Develop inservice training for educators and service providers regarding home, school and community partnerships.

5. Enhance and expand parent resource centers in local schools and communities.

6. Evaluate and address the needs of families from diverse backgrounds.

The VFRP is meeting its goals through such activities as publicizing PAT programs, recruiting families, and providing home visits. It is providing pertinent information, on-site services and/or referrals based on family/ community needs, designing and expanding community-based parent education programs, and disseminating calendars of parent education events. It is also educating staff regarding cultural diversity issues.

Family Centers/Partners:

• Vermont Parent Information Center
• Parent to Parent of Vermont
• Milton Family Community Center,
• Addison County Parent/Child Center
• Early Education Services of Windham County
• The Family Center, St. Albans
• NEKCA/Child and Family Development
• Orange County Parent/Child Center
• Sunrise Family Resource Center
• The Family Center of Washington County
• The Family Place, White River Junction
• Champlain Islands Parent-Child Center
• Rutland County Parent/Child Center, Inc.
• Lamoille Family Center
• Sprinfield Area Parent Child Center
• The Lund Family Center
• Visiting Nurses Association/Maternal Child Health Services

Director: Sue Harding
Vermont Family Resource Partnership
P.O. Box 646
Middlebury, VT 05753
Telephone: (802) 388-3171
FAX: (802) 388-1590
Award: $388,576
Affiliation: PAT

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