Easterseals VT: 40 Years of Impact

Building Easterseals VT

Did you know that Easterseals VT traces its beginnings back to 1979? At that time, the Commissioner of Mental Health and Deputy Commissioner of Vermont recruited Mark Johnson to start a program focused on teaching family group homes. “Boys Town helped certify and consult our teaching parents, but right from the start we were funded by the state of Vermont,” Mark recalled.

The organization was originally called The Family Teaching Center, having four group homes. Mark then expanded and obtained homes in Maine, and eventually New Hampshire, which caught the attention of Easterseals NH. “We started two group homes in Manchester, New Hampshire, operated by teaching parents, alongside three homes in Maine and six homes in Vermont,” Mark shared.

It all came together in the Spring of 1985, when Bob Cholette, then President & CEO of Easterseals NH, visited Vermont and met with Mark. “My first impression was that this is a first-class organization, and we needed to partner with Easterseals,” Mark shared. Following the merger, Easterseals VT began to flourish. It was small but impactful, operating with three to five staff members while effectively managing its limited budget in the early years.

In 1994, the decision was made to broaden services by offering adoption support, funded by a state grant. This led to the hiring of Tanya Osadchey, now a Senior Director of Operations, to provide this service in Hartford. “I was hired to work with foster parents in preventing children from moving between foster homes.  After several years, those foster parents adopted their foster children, and I continued to support them as adoptive parents,” Tanya explained. This service grew dramatically, leading to the creation of another position and allowing Tanya to refocus her efforts on working with foster parents once more.

Quote 1

“We share a lot of the same values: family-centered approaches, prioritizing family voices, and making decisions at the family level. That’s really at the heart of our collaboration.”

Deb Caruso

DCF Family Services Policy and Operations Manager

Quote 2

“The family engagement specialist has a wonderful calming personality and is a great sounding board and listening ear. I really feel heard, and like a plan is being made for my children when we meet.”

Parent

Care Coordination, Child & Family Support Services

Quote 3

“I have had such a positive, motivational, and amazing experience with Coaching. My child and I’s relationship has healed and grown so much. My coach believes in me and supports me and my child.”

Parent

Family Time Coaching, Child & Family Support Services

Quote 4

“I feel like I have support no matter how hard life gets.”

Foster Youth

Youth Development Program

Quote 5

“I’ve been on the receiving side of Easterseals VT services, and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, it matters! If your family is touched by the child welfare system, who walks with you through it and how they walk with you matters.”

Danielle

Clinical Evaluation & Training Clinician

Quote 6

“The positive connections made with clients every single day sends me home smiling and fulfilled at day’s end.”

Christine

Family Engagement Specialist II

In 1996, Easterseals VT secured a contract for a therapeutic foster care program, with a goal to ensure successful foster home placements, serving 35 families almost immediately. Burlington expressed interest in this program, as a significant portion of the state’s custody children resided there. “We dedicated our resources to make this work, and it was a great success,” Mark explained. “This is how Easterseals VT began working with birth families and supporting children in their homes without needing foster placements.”

From the beginning, the success of Easterseals VT has been built upon fostering strong relationships with state officials and local partners while adapting to evolving needs and staying current with new developments in the field. Over the years, Easterseals VT continued to gain Child & Family Support contracts across the state, growing from operations in Hartford to eleven out of the twelve DCF districts.

When Mark retired in 2021, the leadership of Easterseals VT transitioned to a tri-directorship. “Creating a team and handing the agency over to capable people is my greatest accomplishment,” Mark reflected.

As Easterseals VT looks to the future, the dedication and vision established on day one continues to influence its trajectory and laid a strong foundation for the organization.