Vermont Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health

Get your children to cooperate! Express your feelings without the conflicts! Be the parent you always wanted to be! Free online 2-session workshop series!

🧠 "Mindfulness is paying attention to the here and now with kindness and curiosity, and then choosing your behavior." - Amy Saltzman

Ideas via Amy Saltzman
Sketchnote via

❤️ Collective Impact!

Thank you, Heavenly Cents Thrift Shop, for your recent donation to support our efforts at Hunger Free Vermont.

Heavenly Cents Thrift Shop from First Congregational Church of Essex Junction is dedicated to providing affordable clothing, linens, and household items to the local community. They generously donate all sales proceeds back to community organizations like Hunger Free Vermont!

Visit the shop on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Saturdays to make a purchase or donation. For more information about Heavenly Cents Thrift Shop, visit https://bit.ly/4cGO7Z1.

Be an ally Add your name. It's easy!

Summer EBT is here for Vermont kids!

This NEW program provides $120 per eligible child to buy groceries during the summer when school meals aren't available.

Benefits can be used at more than 600 stores statewide, some retailers online, and over 30 farmers markets. When you shop at farmers markets with Summer EBT, you can get up to $20 matched with Crop Cash! 🌽🫑🥕

To see if you qualify, visit https://summerebt.vermont.gov/

Food security is often impacted during emergency events like flooding. Hunger Free Vermont is here to support our community during this challenging time – here are some resources to help your family stay safe and well-nourished:

🔹 Summer meal site services may be disrupted – check your local site for updates via social media or phone.

🔹3SquaresVT recipients may be eligible for replacement benefits for food supply damaged or lost as a result of flooding. Report loss within 10 days by calling 1-800-479-6151.

🔹Report food needs and impacts to meal sites, food pantries or grocery stores to the State of Vermont: https://bit.ly/3zNgSEE.

🔹Report all flood damage by calling 2-1-1 to help Vermont secure federal financial support.

Summer Meals for kids are back!

This summer, 80+ more Vermont towns will host meal sites where all children up to age 18 eat for free — no paperwork, registration, or ID needed.

Summer Meal sites will continue to open through July. To find a site near you, dial 211, text food to 304-304, or visit https://www.hungerfreevt.org/summer-meals.

Summer meal sites are available in more communities across Vermont than ever, ensuring that all Vermont children have the nutrition they need to thrive, all summer long!

Thanks to partners like Shaw's Supermarket and O Organics, HFVT can continue strengthening summer meal sites, spreading the word about free summer meals to VT families, and continually advocating to strength the program that funds summer meal sites!

June is PRIDE month...

Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day Secure .gov websites use HTTPSA lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Here are some things for Vermonters and visitors to remember to help things go smoothly here on Eclipse Day. This event will help Vermont's small businesses immensely, including those that were damaged in last year's flooding.

Eclipse 2024 idea that provides some fun and safe viewing too!

Eclipse glasses were not made for little ears. If you are worried about your kids keeping their eclipse glasses on during Monday's total solar eclipse, we have an easy adaptation and fun craft project for you! Paper Plate Eclipse Glasses! (Note: our photo shows the addition of a craft stick handle.) Full instructions here: https://mynasadata.larc.nasa.gov/lesson-plans/solar-eclipse-safety-activity

Here's what you'll need:
🕶️ ISO Approved Solar Eclipse viewing glasses (ISO requirements: 12312-2)
🍽️ Paper Plates (medium, or large)
✂️ Scissors
✅ Clear Tape
✏️ Pencil, Pen, or Marker

Call or text 988. We Can All Help Prevent Su***de The 988 Su***de and Crisis Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers providing free and confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for prof...

Ken Libertoff inspired and partnered with many who have been instrumental in the advocacy and peer support initiatives here at VFFCMH. Whether taking part in his Advocacy 101 training or being encouraged to share our voices of lived experience to effect change, any time spent with Ken was thought provoking and a call to action. His retirement after 3 decades was also a catalyst of change and growth. His passing is a reminder that our work continues as long as there are stories that need to be shared…sincere condolences to his family & friends…

In loving memory of Ken Libertoff, former director of the Vermont Association of Mental Health.
We are deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Ken, a passionate advocate for recovery and a beacon of hope for countless individuals. He dedicated his life to spreading awareness, compassion and support for those struggling with mental health and addiction. His tireless effort touched hearts, inspired change and saved lives.

VAMHAR was incredibly lucky to have Ken be its director for 30 years, starting in 1981. He was a gritty advocate and a fierce leader (e.g. responsible for passing the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Parity Bill, which was seen as the new national model and standard).

Though he no longer walks among us, his legacy of resilience, advocacy and unwavering commitment to recovery will forever be remembered and cherished.
Rest in peace, dear friend. Your light continues to shine brightly in the hearts of all you touched.

Every third Friday of the month at 6 pm, the Richard Kemp Center hosts adult game night.
With a focus on promoting community wellness and providing a welcoming space for the black and brown communities, we offer engaging activities:
- Spades
- Pool
- Table tennis
- Air hockey
- Arcade games
- A variety of board and card games.

RKC will provide complimentary food and drinks.
We aim to create a safe atmosphere of warmth and inclusivity as people come together to enjoy friendly competition and build meaningful connections.

City of Burlington's REIB Office Vermont Professionals of Color Network Vermont Health Equity Initiative -VHEI The Rutland Area NAACP Windham County NAACP People's Kitchen Champlain Housing Trust Howard Center UVM Bored UVM Medical Center Employee Wellness Vermont Department of Health Vermont Releaf Collective Vermont Legal Aid Richard Kemp Center United Way of Northwest Vermont Migrant Justice / Justicia Migrante Vermont Afterschool King Street Center ACLU-Vermont The Root Social Justice Center Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission UVM Black Student Union Champlain College Diversity Programming WCAX-TV VTDigger Seven Days Newspaper

A gentle reminder 🤍

Today…if you cannot attend, consider making a commitment to end bullying on all levels by becoming involved in efforts statewide that address the root cause…encourage kindness and acceptance for all in memory of Nex.

AIl 2STLGBQ+ people and allies, come join us for a candlelight vigil and time to honor Nex Benedict at the convergence of the Great Brook and the Winooski River. This will be a chance for folks to grieve and process together as well as chat and laugh and smile. Please bring yourself and candles if you have them. For accessibility questions, please email [email protected].

MARCH on over to see what's coming this month. Whether you're a parent, caregiver, family member, family peer specialist - or all of the above - there's something for everyone. Register▶️ https://ow.ly/zvFi50QJhZM

You MAY also want to check out "Words Matter Wednesdays: A Series on Advancing Equity Through Language", a special series coming in May.

Taking care of self is a necessary 1st step on the caregiving journey…

Make sure these hearts are part of conversations with yourself. 🧡💙

🎨: blushing.ginger

Celebrate the differences in all humans that elevate us from being ordinary to extraordinary...

We Mourn With You. Rest in Power, Nex. All of us at Outright are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of 16-year-old Nex Benedict (they/them), following an assault in the bathroom of their Oklahoma high school. In these brutal and heart-wrenching moments, we find solace in community, knowing that together we will - and must - continue to d...

A great new resource for Black History Month and year round from Mental Health First Aid USA Find resources to support Black , honor diversity, plus learn how you can make a difference by taking a virtual or in-person Mental Health First Aid course.

https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/2024/02/black-mental-health-resource-guide-black-history-month/

First Friday:
The Vermont Racial Justice Alliance is gearing up for its monthly First Friday event, a platform dedicated to empowering the black and brown community. This gathering aims to create cultural empowerment, provide support, and celebrate with our youth.
This month we will be at Spare Time in Colchester, VT, to host an evening of bowling starting at 6 PM, providing an opportunity for relaxation and socializing in a welcoming environment.
This event will be 100% FREE and covered by the Vermont Racial Justice Alliance.
Food will be provided.
We hope to see you and your families this Friday!

City of Burlington's REIB Office Vermont Professionals of Color Network Vermont Health Equity Initiative -VHEI The Rutland Area NAACP Windham County NAACP People's Kitchen Champlain Housing Trust Howard Center UVM Bored UVM Medical Center Employee Wellness Vermont Department of Health Vermont Releaf Collective Vermont Legal Aid Richard Kemp Center United Way of Northwest Vermont Migrant Justice / Justicia Migrante Vermont Afterschool King Street Center ACLU-Vermont The Root Social Justice Center Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission UVM Black Student Union Champlain College Diversity Programming WCAX-TV VTDigger Seven Days Newspaper

Join us in February!

✅This Thursday, Family Connections looks at the differences between 988 and 911, myths about 988, calling 988 for a minor child versus an adult child, and your questions about responding to crisis.

✅Family Peer Specialists: our Office Hours series is back on Tuesday Feb. 13th. We'll focus on building strengths-based relationships for family peers and families -- plus, learn how resources for people over age 26 vary from resources for younger loved ones.

✅ Everyone can bring their Superpowers on Wednesday, Feb. 21st! We'll focus on how to equip families across the lifespan to take a person-centered approach to communications.

Learn more and register here: https://ow.ly/uh5850QvlYF

For the last 35 years, the National Federation of Families has brought together families, parents, community leaders, providers, partners, legislators, and the family support workforce at our Annual Conference.

Visit us today to learn more about our call for proposals, the 2024 conference tracks, and much more. We invite proposals from professionals, family members, and youth with lived experience who support the well-being of our children - of all ages - and promote family voice.

We look forward to celebrating our 35th anniversary in Orlando, FL with you this year! https://ow.ly/x2pj50QtNRB

How's it going? Tell us by taking a few minutes to complete the 3rd and final edition of our "How Are Our Children and Families Doing Now?"

All families, parents, and caregivers with children—of any age—living at home are invited to share their experiences.

🔜Survey closes on January 30th. .https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FamiliesIn2023