Vermont Pathways to Partnerships

Anime Club: Watch, Connect & Celebrate Together
2025-11-14 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-11-07 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-10-31 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-10-24 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-10-17 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-10-10 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York)
Join the Vermont Center for Independent Living (VCIL) for Anime Club, a fun and inclusive space for Vermont students in grades 7–12 to enjoy anime, connect with peers, and celebrate self-advocacy.
Each week, members will watch an assigned anime movie or episode (either on their own or during optional virtual watch parties) and then gather on Zoom every Friday, 7–8pm (October 10 – December 19, 2025) to share thoughts, discuss themes, and make new friends. Cameras on or off—participation is flexible, so you can engage in the way that works best for you.
Program Highlights:

Free to join
Includes a 3-month Crunchyroll subscription
Safe, supportive space for discussions
Explore anime while building community and confidence
Suitable for PG-13 content (with ratings and trigger warnings provided)

Learn more & sign up here: tinyurl.com/VCILanime
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Students with Disabilities and Career and Technical Education
2025-11-13 13:00 - 14:00
Location: Virtual
Details: Explore the different programs and courses offered through Career and Technical Education (CTE). Learn how families, schools, and CTE centers can collaborate to support students with disabilities who want to pursue technical education.
Audience: Families, youth, and professionals
Recording: All workshops are recorded and available later on the VFN YouTube channel.
Questions: info@vtfn.org

Civil Writes: Disability Pride Internship Program
2025-11-12 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-11-05 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-10-29 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-10-22 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-10-15 19:00 - 20:00
Join the Vermont Center for Independent Living (VCIL) for Civil Writes, a 10-week paid Disability Pride internship designed to empower Vermont students in grades 7–12.
Each week, participants will meet on Zoom (Wednesdays, 7–8pm) to explore disability civil rights through stories, current events, and personal experiences. Interns will engage in activities like reading, writing, creative projects, and discussions, while connecting with peers in a safe and supportive space.
Program Highlights:

$600 stipend upon completion
Runs October 15 – December 17, 2025
Remote – accessible anywhere in Vermont
Learn from disability history, culture, and Alice Wong’s Disability Visibility Project
Optional opportunity to share your story with StoryCorps
Open to students with an IEP or 504 plan

This program helps students find their people, their power, and their story—while contributing valuable feedback to make services for youth more engaging and inclusive.
Learn more & apply here: tinyurl.com/CivilWritesIntern
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P2P Open Office Hours with Jayson Capobianco
2025-11-07 08:00 - 12:00, 2025-10-22 12:00 - 16:00, 2025-10-10 08:00 - 12:00, 2025-09-29 12:00 - 16:00
Join Jayson Capobianco, UVM CDCI and P2P’s Transition Training Coordinator, for open office hours. Choose a date that works for you and take this opportunity to ask questions about transition plans, IEPs, P2P, Pathful, predictors, parental rights, guardianship, progressive employment, and many other transition-related topics.
This is a safe and welcoming space to ask questions. Use the sign-up link below to register for this session.
Sign up

Springfield HireAbility Vermont Open House
2025-11-05 13:00 - 16:00
You’re invited to connect, explore, and celebrate community collaboration!
Join HireAbility Vermont for a welcoming Open House at our Springfield office. This informal meet-and-greet is the perfect opportunity to meet our dedicated team, enjoy light refreshments, and take a guided tour of our newly refreshed space.
Whether you’re a job seeker, educator, employer, or community partner, this event offers a chance to learn how HireAbility supports Vermonters in building meaningful careers and achieving employment goals. Discover how we work together with local organizations to create pathways to success for people of all abilities.
Event Highlights:

Meet the Springfield HireAbility Vermont team
Learn about local employment and training resources
Network with employers, educators, and community leaders
Enjoy refreshments and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere

At HireAbility Vermont, we believe in empowering individuals through opportunity, collaboration, and inclusion — and we can’t wait to share our mission with you.
All are welcome! Stop by anytime between 1 PM and 4 PM. We’re excited to meet you and show you around our space.
Location: 100 Mineral Street, Suite 308, Springfield, VT 05156
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DDSD System Changes: Intake and Eligibility, and Conflict of Interest
2025-11-04 14:00 - 15:00
Location: Virtual
Details: This workshop will share updates on developmental services system changes for individuals receiving or planning to apply for developmental services, and their family members.
Audience: Families, youth, and professionals
Recording: All workshops are recorded and available later on the VFN YouTube channel.
Questions: info@vtfn.org

Virtual Career Exploration Series: Healthcare
2025-10-18 09:00 - 10:00
A career that changes lives — including yours.
The second session in our Virtual Career Exploration Series focuses on Healthcare, one of the fastest-growing and most rewarding fields today.
From direct patient care to behind-the-scenes laboratory and administrative roles, healthcare careers offer a chance to make a meaningful impact every day. Hear from Vermont professionals and educators who will share how you can start your journey toward helping others and strengthening your community.
What You’ll Learn:

Diverse career options in healthcare
Local training, certifications, and college opportunities
Insights from healthcare professionals and educators

Who Should Join:
Students interested in science, health, or service careers — and anyone who wants to make a difference.
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Supporting Students in Exploring Dual Enrollment and Early College Opportunities
2025-10-16 10:00 - 11:00
Location: Virtual
Details: This workshop will outline how students can take advantage of statewide Dual Enrollment and Early College programs. Participants will learn about program specifics and explore tools to help students, counselors, and families in decision-making, including assessing readiness.
Audience: Families, youth, and professionals
Recording: All workshops are recorded and available later on the VFN YouTube channel.
Questions: info@vtfn.org

Virtual Career Exploration Series: Hospitality
2025-10-16 09:00 - 10:00
Creating welcoming experiences starts here!
Join us for the first session of our Virtual Career Exploration Series and explore the exciting world of Hospitality. From hotels and restaurants to resorts and event venues, hospitality professionals bring warmth and creativity to every experience.
Hear from local employers, training programs, and colleges about career paths that value teamwork, communication, and service. Discover how you can turn your people skills into a rewarding career that connects communities and brings joy to others.
Why Attend:

Learn about hospitality careers in Vermont and beyond
Hear firsthand stories from professionals in the field
Discover training and college pathways to get started

Who Should Join:
High school students, educators, and families curious about hospitality, tourism, and event management.
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Career Exploration Panel: Hospitality Careers & Training (Virtual)
2025-10-16 09:00 - 10:00
Join us for the first session of the Youth Career Exploration Panels, a series of one-hour virtual events designed for youth with disabilities and the partners who support them. Each panel highlights a different career field, featuring guest speakers from local businesses and training programs.
Location: Online (Zoom)
Session 1: Hospitality Careers & Training

Hear from the University of Vermont (UVM) about their Hospitality Management Training Certificate Program.
Learn from Smugglers’ Notch Resort about real-world career opportunities in hospitality.
Discover career pathways, essential skills, internships, and advancement opportunities in this growing field.
Engage directly with employers and training staff—ask questions and get real insights into the world of hospitality work.

Register here: Hospitality Career Panel Registration
More info: brittany.berry@partner.vermont.gov

Japanese Cooking Club: Anime-Inspired Dishes
2025-10-11 11:00 - 2025-11-15 12:00
Bring the flavors of your favorite anime to life! Join the Vermont Center for Independent Living (VCIL) for the Japanese Cooking Club, a free 6-week program where students in grades 7–12 will learn to cook popular Japanese dishes—no prior kitchen experience needed.
Sessions are held Saturdays, 11am–12pm, October 11 – November 15, 2025, live on Zoom. Cooking instructor Michelle from Kitchen Japan will guide participants step by step in preparing dishes like ramen, potato mochi, okonomiyaki, and more.
Program Highlights:

Free to join (open to Vermont students in grades 7–12)
All ingredients provided (kits of hard-to-find items plus a gift card for fresh produce and protein)
Family participation welcome
Flexible participation: camera on or off, ask questions live or in chat
Optional anime watch parties after cooking sessions
Recipes designed to be safe and simple, with substitutes available for dietary needs

Learn more & sign up here: tinyurl.com/VCILcookingclub

EmpowHer Expressions
2025-10-06 19:00 - 20:30
EmpowHer Expressions is an eight-week virtual public speaking and career coaching program for disabled women to improve their public speaking, soft skills, and confidence to achieve career goals and succeed in the working world. The program features weekly 90-minute virtual group classes along with weekly one-on-one mentoring sessions and regular assignments. Participants receive guidance and mentorship from successful disabled women throughout the program.
If selected, participants commit to joining our virtual classes every Monday 7pm to 8:30pm ET starting October 6, 2025 through November 24, 2025.
Applications are open now and close on June 22, 2025. If you know someone who would benefit from EmpowHer Expressions, please encourage them to apply.
Register Now
Topics Covered

Elevator Speeches
Creating Presentations
Negotiations
Interviewing
Impromptu Speaking
Disability Rights

And Much More!
Eligibility
Participants must:

Be 18 years old or older
Be a citizen of or live in the United States
Have goals which become achievable through our program
Be willing to fundraise $160 to demonstrate their commitment to the program
Be a disabled woman or gender diverse individual comfortable in a feminine-aligned space

Program Impact
100% of Fall 2023 cohort participants indicated that they completed the goals they set for themselves for EmpowHer Expressions.
88% of Fall 2023 cohort members reported an increase in their confidence and self-advocacy skills.

VCHIP Transition Lunch and Learn: Guardianship and Supported Decision Making
2025-09-25 12:00 - 13:00
Topic: Guardianship and Supported Decision Making
Presented by: Sarah Nussbaum, Executive Director, Office of Public Guardianship VT Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent living.
Date: September 25, 2025
Time: 12:00 – 1:00pm
Format: Virtually via Zoom
Click Here
Phone: +1 646 931 3860
Meeting ID: 951 5041 8943
Organizer: michelle.rovnak@med.uvm.edu
Project Coordinator
Vermont Child Health Improvement Program (VCHIP)
Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont
Phone: 802-656-9195
Fax: 802-656-8368

Save the Date: Special Education Knowledge Week - Virtual Trainings
2025-08-18 08:00 - 2025-10-21 16:00
Audience: Superintendents, Special Education Directors, Principals and Educators
Purpose: The Agency of Education is hosting a Special Education Knowledge Week. This week will be hosted from August 18 to August 21, with 45 sessions for educators to participate in! Sessions include a Keynote with the State Director of Special Education, Trainings from a wide range of subject and partnership with Vermont Child Health Improvement Program (VCHIP), Developmental Disabilities Services Division, and Pathways to Partnership!
Register: Registration information will be advertised very soon.
Contact: Ana Russo at Ana Russo at ana.russo@vermont.gov

Transition Needs a Reset. Cue The Dream Team
2025-08-14 10:00 - 11:00
Join the Dream Team — a powerhouse group of teenagers and young adults who are blind or visually impaired — as they reimagine what transition services can and should be.
This summer, the Dream Team is diving deep and on August 14th will answer these questions.

What’s working in transition services for students who are blind or visually impaired?
What isn’t (and why are we still doing it)?
How do we move beyond “youth voice” as a checkbox and hand over the pen?
What are the next real steps?

Date: August 14th, 10 – 11am
Venue: Virtual Event
How to participate: Register here to receive the Zoom link.
The Dream Team is backed by the VT Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired, the LEAP (Learn, Earn, and Prosper) Program, UMass Boston, and the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).
August 14th, 10 am. Show up. Dream big.

IEP Transition Plan Best Practices
2025-08-12 08:30 - 15:30, 2025-08-11 08:30 - 15:30
Become proficient with IEP transition plans and the 8 elements of Indicator 13
Indicator 13: Guidance will be provided on the specific elements, practices, services and strategies that relate to Indicator 13.
Resources: Participants will become familiar with community partners who support students, transition assessments, and provide guidance and resources.
Location: Bellows Falls High School, 406 High School Road, Westminster, VT 05158
This is a great opportunity to collaborate with our region’s high school special educators! Training is free to attend. Certificates of Completion will be provided.
For More Information or to Request Accommodations: Jayson Capobianco, Transition Training Coordinator University of Vermont, CDCI
jayson.capobianco@uvm.edu
Please submit accommodation requests by August 1, 2025
Sign up here
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Natural Resources Management Academy
2025-07-11 19:00 - 2025-07-13 10:30
For youth entering grades 7–11 who are interested in the environment and ready to explore, in depth, their passion for Vermont’s natural resources.

Hands-on workshops with natural resource professionals
Learn new skills
All lodging, meals & snacks provided
Cost $125

Are you a student entering 7th – 11th grade in the Fall who is interested in the environment and ready to explore, in depth, your passion for Vermont’s natural resources?
If you answered yes to this question, then you should attend NRMA. Come ready to explore natural resources management, and share a weekend with other youth from around Vermont who have the same interests.
NRMA has been developed for individuals just like you! It is a weekend full of fantastic learning opportunities aimed at understanding Vermont’s forests, wildlife, soils, water ecosystems and more! All programs will be hands-on and mostly outdoors.
You will have the opportunity to take in-depth, hands-on workshops with experts. Each workshop will allow for extensive in-the-field exploration of the subject matter.
In addition to these workshops, participants will have opportunities to hike, fish, canoe and swim during the weekend.
Space is limited to 30 participants — sign up now!
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Register
