Current Events

Families First in Southern Vermont is a nonprofit organization that supports close to one hundred adults and youth living with developmental disabilities. We promote our self-advocates to live the best lives they can.

We recently moved into the historic Famolare Farm in Brattleboro. This campus now holds our programming, service coordinators, nurses, administrative offices, and residential spaces.

Mike Curtis, vice president of our self-advocacy group, started receiving services at Families First 11 years ago and shares that his quality of life has "greatly improved" since then. 

"I believe Families First is one of the greatest agencies in the state of Vermont," he said, speaking highly of his case manager and support staff. "I want them to continue to support me in my journey as an individual living with a disability. With this new building, we now have our own space to grow. Hopefully, new advocates will be seeing the quality services that I do." 

Unfortunately, our main building flooded shortly after we moved in. This has damaged our programming space, offices, and has displaced many of us for months. We're currently finishing repairs and finding unforeseen issues. We discovered the need to upgrade our heating and cooling system and replace damaged furniture. To help with these costs and support our ongoing programming needs, we're holding a Giving Tuesday Auction Fundraiser that will end on December 3rd, 2024. 

Please bid on items, donate, and share! Some items are shown below.

Thank you for your support!

Altiplano Beaded Earrings.jpeg
Badger Body Skincare.jpeg
Black Cherry resin Bowl.jpeg
Late Season freeze.jpeg
Rose Bernhard Mug.jpeg
Storytime By Alan Blackwell.jpeg
Vermont Jazz center tickets for two.jpeg
Walker Gift Card.jpeg
Side Hill Farm Jam, Butter and Drizzle Collection.jpeg
Amys Bakery gift Card.jpeg
Walker Gift Card.jpeg
Z Pots Love Bowl.jpeg
Sidehill farm Mustard Collection.jpeg

We serve people through the Medicaid Developmental Services Waiver and follow the intake and service delivery guidelines from the Department of Aging and Independent Living (DAIL).

Eligibility criteria for the DS waiver require that the person is a resident of Vermont, be found eligible for Medicaid and have a clinical diagnosis of having a developmental disability. More information can be found at the DAIL website at ddsd.vermont.gov and from Green Mountain Self-Advocates at gmsavt.org.

Our Intake Coordinator/Clinical Director is Joshua Kussius. If you would like to learn more about the Families First community please email him at joshua@familiesfirstvt.org.