
General Information
Families First in Southern Vermont is a nonprofit organization that supports approximately one hundred youth and adults living with developmental disabilities. We currently serve self-advocates throughout Windham County, and we are actively looking to expand west to Bennington, Vermont.
The Vice president of our self-advocacy group, Mike Curtis, wanted to share that his quality of life has greatly improved since he began receiving services from Families First around 11 years ago.
"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."
Please consider donating to our agency today.
Your-tax deductible contribution will directly support programming and resources that will transform the lives of all we serve.

In the Media
Our Property
Our non-profit began in Wilmington in 1996, expanding into Brattleboro area in 2007. In March 2024, Families First relocated from the Winston Prouty Center for Child and Family Development campus in Brattleboro to a new opportunity a couple streets away!.
We are now located at the property formerly known as the Vermont Agricultural Business Center at 11 University Way in Brattleboro, Vermont.
Now that we are at this beautiful new campus, we hope partner with community members who can help utilize these 46 acres of organic farmland. As time allows we hope to renovate our spaces and look to provide housing for our individuals in need of accessible spaces. We hope that our self-advocates will continue to grow into and beyond our new space.
Please visit the Brattleboro Reformer webpage to learn more. View article.
Vermontitude
Program Coordinator Laura Chapman and President of the Brattleboro Advocacy Group Susan Mandell, discussed Families First fundraising with host Peter “Fish” Case in Vermontitude’s webcast. Episode 88. View article here.
Theatre Adventure
Many Families First self-advocates are a part of Theatre Adventure. Theatre Adventure is a non-profit organization in West Brattleboro, VT that offers inclusive year-round in-person and online theater arts programming.
They recently celebrated their 20th Anniversary with A Ballad of Belonging. View website here.
Check out the VT Diggger article https://vtdigger.org/2021/10/01/julie-cunningham-system-for-elder-and-disability-care-has-not-kept-pace/
This is a commentary piece by Julie Cunningham, executive director of Families First in Vermont. She is working on a book on Vermont’s developmental service system with her colleague Bill Ashe.