Page 44 - BTC Yearbook 2016

Vermont Touchpoints

Coordinator: Laura Bernard
Coordinator starting spring/summer 2017: Amy Bolger

Vermont has a long history of dedication to Touchpoints across the state with several
communities that have embraced and championed the approach for their families and for
relationship building among partners and colleagues. We have recently undertaken strategic
planning activities to better address the needs of these communities and develop a
comprehensive statewide training plan that includes a strong focus on reflective practice and
mentoring of new practitioners.

Vermont has a robust training team of multi-disciplinary trainers across Head Start and Early
Head Start, early care and learning, home visiting, Early Intervention, parent child center staff,
state leadership, and others. The Vermont Department of Health’s Division of Maternal and
Child Health partners with the Department of Children and Families Child Development
Division and the Vermont Child Care Industry and Careers Council to coordinate Touchpoints
activities. Laura Bernard, the coordinator since 2013, will be moving into an advisory role later
this year when Amy Bolger from the Child Development Division assumes coordination
activities.

The Vermont team recognizes the importance of coordinating our Touchpoints work with other
state and community initiatives such as evidence based home visiting, Help Me Grow,
Strengthening Families, and motivational interviewing. Our site works to integrate efforts across
sectors including maternal and child health initiatives such as WIC, early care and learning
opportunities, pediatric medical homes, and infant and early childhood mental health activities.
Touchpoints enhances our practice by integrating with other programs and frameworks.

We are actively growing our group of Touchpoints trainers and trained 3 new trainers at the
October, 2016 CLT. In the summer of 2016, we hosted a 2 day ILT in Waterbury Vermont. The
training brought together staff across sectors from: CIS, Project DULCE, Head Start, early care
and learning, primary care, Vermont Family Network, Early Intervention, family support and
training staff from Easter Seals, and outreach workers in the New American community from
Vermont Family Network. Attendees gained skills and knowledge in implementing the TP
approach with their clients and staff. Attendees are also participating in six reflective practice
calls.