ROOT COMMUNITY: The Root has issued a Statement on the planned DCF and Abraxas crisis-stabilization Program in Brattleboro. We are calling for investing in community and healing—not confinement and reliance on law enforcement—to support Vermont’s children and families. Learn more about this issue and how you can take action now!
Join Families United!
The Families United Program offers support and advocacy to Vermont residents who have been or are involved with the Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF).
This advocacy and support can look like peer led support groups, phone calls, attending meetings, connecting to resources, assistance with communication efforts with DCF, and more. In alignment with the Root Social Justice Center's mission, Families United seeks to shift resources for Black, Indigenous and People Of Color (BIPOC) and their communities and promote connection, healing, education and systemic change.
For more information email us at familiesunited@therootsjc.org or call us at (802) 451-0468
Interested in volunteering with Families United as a Movement Builder? Complete The Root’s Volunteer Interest Form and be sure to select “Families United” and “Join Families United as a Movement Builder” from within the form.
Families United Direct Service and Working Agreements
Families United direct services are for people/families with current DCF involvement. Direct services support people/families with navigating the DCF process, engaging with DCF and completing tasks to reach goals they choose for themself or their family. Families United cannot give legal advice, and does not participate in legal action such as lawsuits.
When receiving direct services from the Families United Program, you agree to:
Be respectful
Be open and honest
Commit to working toward goals
Honor the Families United Agreements (see below)
Families United Agreements
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We will not play the oppression wheel in this space. And we will recognize that racism and capitalism is at the Root of all of our oppression.
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Our experiences are real. Sometimes it's hard to believe that a system can treat people so badly. We are here to trust our peers and believe their experiences.
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We are all here to bring systemic change. We are not free until we are all free.
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We come from many walks of life. People have judged us and have used how we show up in the world against us. We will not think we are better than someone else’s situation because it's different from ours.
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We will support each other in our individual situation And we will work to make systemic change by changing the systems that harm us.
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We all have different skills and gifts that we can use to learn from each other. We are all teachers.
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We understand that systems of oppression are harmful and can be damaging. Confidentiality is highly important in our space and what is said in this space shall not be shared outside.
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We know that trauma is inevitable and that these systems produce more trauma. We will show up with each other with this understanding.
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We ask you to be honest so that we can help support your needs from the start.
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We don’t judge others for their past mistakes.
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Taking a strength based approach and focusing on the strength of families.
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We do not enable people to use destructive behaviors verbally or physically with other individuals in society, systems, or institutions.
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As individuals we have the right to our own autonomy.
If any of the above agreements are broken, the Families United Coordinator will address the broken agreements with you. If agreements continue to be broken, the coordinator may need to end services to allow space for others who need the support.
Bill H265
Thank you Families United and community members for all your support in creating Bill H265. That lead to the hiring of Vermont’s first ever Office of Child, Youth and Family Advocate!
Shela Linton, The Root's founder and Executive Director was appointed by the Senate of committees to sit on The Oversight Commission on Children, Youths, and Families, and is a representative from our BIPOC communities.
Pictured here: Families United members and community gather to meet Matthew Bernstein The Office of Child, Youth and Family advocate. A position that was largely created due to the hard work of our Families United community!
