“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
~African Proverb
Our Vision: In Vermont, we are working together to ensure every child, youth, and family has access to the necessary resources to achieve their full potential.
Our Mission: Through interagency planning, we unite state government and local communities to develop holistic and accountable support and service delivery. Our aim is to effectively meet the diverse needs of Vermont’s children, youth, and families through Integrated Family Services.
For decades, the Agency of Human Services and local communities in Vermont have been dedicated to integrating, collaborating, and coordinating services for children, youth, and families. This commitment reflects a deep understanding that a joined-up approach is essential for effective family support.
The foundation for this integrated approach was laid with Act 264 in 1988. This legislation mandated collaboration between human services and public education, emphasizing parental involvement and coordinated services to improve outcomes for families and children. Act 264 specifically aimed to develop a coordinated system of care for children and youth with disabilities, ensuring access to appropriate educational, mental health, child welfare, juvenile justice, and residential services, all guided by an individualized plan.
Building upon this foundation, the Integrating Family Services (IFS) initiative was launched in 2008 by the Agency of Human Services. A key component of IFS was the consolidation of over 30 state and federal funding streams into a unified case rate. This strategic move was designed to integrate services around the family unit, enabling earlier intervention, better outcomes, and more efficient use of resources. The core principle of integrated family services is to prevent more intense needs, achieve better outcomes, and optimize funding efficiency.
Integrated Family Services is driven by two primary goals:
a) To enhance the delivery of services and improve the overall health and well-being of pregnant women, postpartum mothers, infants, children, and young adults in Vermont.
b) To promote maternal and child health and safety, strengthen family stability, and foster optimal healthy development throughout childhood and the transition to adulthood.
These goals are achieved through several key strategies inherent to integrated family services:
- Flexible Funding Models: IFS employs flexible funding, empowering service providers to effectively address evolving family needs as they are identified. This adaptability is crucial for providing timely and relevant support.
- Seamless Service Continuum: By bringing together children’s, youth, and family services, IFS creates an integrated and seamless continuum of care. This holistic approach ensures families receive comprehensive support without navigating fragmented systems.
- Needs-Based Support: Integrated family services prioritizes family needs over rigid program eligibility criteria. This needs-based approach ensures that support is tailored to individual family circumstances, maximizing its effectiveness.
- Impact-Focused Measurement: IFS shifts the focus from simply counting service units and clients to measuring the actual impact of services provided. This outcome-oriented approach ensures accountability and continuous improvement in service delivery.
The Agency of Human Services remains dedicated to sustaining and expanding the progress made in IFS regions. These regions continue their vital work with the ongoing support of DMH, DCF, DAIL, VDH, and DVHA, reinforcing the collaborative nature of integrated family services.
A significant milestone was reached on January 1, 2019, with the statewide implementation of bundled case rates across all Designated Agencies. This successful effort further solidified the principles of integrated family services across Vermont. For more detailed information on this initiative, please explore here.
