VPRC’s Family Intervention Team

VPRC has now provided legal advocacy and social work support services to families involved in our child welfare system for over one year. We have served 21 families with 47 children. VPRC’s program model includes our team members meeting with parents in their homes. All our families have found these visits very supportive and helpful for them to be able to meet their goals.

Comments of parents, from their evaluations of VPRC’s services, include:

• “I trust them & trust is always very important.”

• “I am glad to have such a good support group for me and for the best interest of my son. This has been a very lengthy process and I am glad my team has stuck by me for so long.”

• “When I was incarcerated the VPRC team was very [underlined three times] helpful…it was a hard time and they helped me through it.  I will truly miss the VPRC team.”

Unfortunately, the Vermont Legislature was unable to continue funding our program. The state’s economic downturn left VPRC to depend entirely on private resources. We had generous responses from foundations and private donors. Nevertheless, we have had to reduce staff and cut salaries, hopefully for the short run only.

On the Advocacy Front

VPRC (through our work with minor guardianships in the Probate Court) was influential in DCF’s decision to halt the use of minor guardianships when DCF is involved with families. VPRC’s parents understand the threat of a removal resulting from a Children in Need of Care and Supervision (CHINS) petition. They mistakenly believed that they had no other choice but to transfer guardianship of their children to relatives. VPRC successfully advocated for a Legislative Study Committee to evaluate and make recommendations concerning the use of minor guardianships when DCF is involved.  VPRC is a member of this Committee.

On the Program Front

VPRC’s outcome data unmistakably reflect improved outcomes for the families we have served.

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