Family and Patient Resources

Welcome! We invite you to explore information about our services and resources for patients and their families.

Domains of Wellness

Parents shape habits that impact physical, emotional, and cognitive health—diet, sleep, exercise, screen time, conflict resolution, and trust. This is a big responsibility with little guidance. Research shows nurturance, activity, and sleep directly influence brain growth, especially in children. 

Learn how to boost your child's brain development. The Vermont Family Based Approach offers the support to help you confidently nurture and strengthen your child's developing brain.

Family walking hand and hand with their kids

Physical Exercise

Exercise boosts brain growth, improves academic and social skills, and aids children with ADHD, anxiety, and mood issues. It also alleviates depression and psychiatric symptoms.
Child enthusiastically eating a sandwich

Healthy Eating

Research shows a connection between the belly and the brain - a healthier stomach leads to a happier and healthier mind! Anxiety and depression decrease, memory and emotional regulation improve. If we improve what we eat, the brain will follow!
Building at night

Healthy Sleep

Sleep isn’t just rest; it’s your brain’s way of reassuring itself. Quality sleep boosts learning, memory, mood, behavior, and physical health—making it essential for overall well-being.
Adult and Child outdoors smiling

Positive Parenting

Positive Parenting fosters a strong, respectful parent-child bond through effective communication. It improves relationships and helps both parties manage emotions. Instead of punishing negative behavior, focus on reinforcing positive actions; this approach is most effective for behavioral issues.
People smiling and playing a game with a young child

Kindness and Gratitude

Helping others enhances mental health and builds community. Prioritizing compassion and gratitude boosts well-being, yet education in these areas has waned. Our approach reinforces social bonds through kindness and gratitude within families and communities.
Kid playing the bagpipes

Musical Training

Music training enhances brain functions related to coordination, spatial skills, emotions, and impulse control. It sharpens auditory fitness—the ability to distinguish sounds and process language. Rhythm improves reading skills, while learning music also boosts social interaction and communication.
person sitting with eyes closed

Mindfulness

Mindfulness practices like meditation and yoga enhance physical and emotional health, boosting focus, reducing anxiety and emotional reactivity, alleviating pain, improving cognitive flexibility, strengthening immunity, and enhancing working memory.

Download the Mindfulness Fact Sheet (DOC)
child running to a person in a cow costume

Vermont Child Psychiatry Access Program (VTCPAP) for Families

VCCYF, in partnership with the Vermont Child Health Improvement Program, offers free phone and email consultations for healthcare providers through the Vermont Consultation and Psychiatry Access Program. Providers can get help with assessment, diagnosis, medication, and wellness for children.

Vermont Consultation and Psychiatry Access

Additional Resources