CPFST

Child Protection and Family Support Team (CPFST)

pensive teen girl

KidSafe convenes the Chittenden County Child Protection and Family Support Team (CPFST). This interagency multi-disciplinary team develops plans for community based services to support children and families and to protect victims from further harm.

TO MAKE A CPFST REFERRAL: Call KidSafe (802-863-9626) and download the referral packet.
If you would like to consult about a situation, please call. A team meeting is one option, but there may be other ways to improve the safety of the children you are concerned about.
Download CPFST Referral Packet Download CPFST Brochure PDF

About CPFST

Connects: Families in crisis/kids at risk with services and supports

The need – one example: A young couple, parents of an 8-month-old, have been homeless and living at a campsite with the child, do not own a car, lack employment, and struggle with substance abuse. At the same time, they want what is best for their little girl. 
The response: A KidSafe Child Protection and Family Support Team meeting brings together the key service providers who can help the family, gathered around the same table. Together the participants identify support services and actions that can improve safety for the children and strengthen the family.

A CPFST Meeting:

  • is convened and led by KidSafe, drawing on the skills of partner agencies including COTS, Howard Center, Easterseals, VT Department for Children and Families (DCF) and others; 
  • is tailored to each family’s needs but might include school and health care personnel, a social worker, visiting nurse, substance abuse counselor, a probation officer and others, as appropriate to the specific situation.
  • ensures key supports are in place
  • creates a specific action plan to improve child safety;
  • often enables families to break the cycle of violence or neglect, by identifying supports and family strengths.

The intensive team approach can transform lives.

counselor speaking with a mother at KidSafe CPFST meeting

What do participants say?

Some representative comments:

“It was wonderful to…see all these resources I didn’t know existed come together. I thought it was great, empowering.”
“It provided the family with resources and hope.”
“[The family] was able to get assistance with temporary housing sooner.”
“What a lovely model for multi-agency complex care coordination.”
— CPFST provider participants
“It was helpful to me as an extended family member to hear positive and encouraging messages and to know that professionals involved have the child’s and mom’s best interests in mind. Thanks!”
“I felt like they listened to me and [I] felt like it was appropriate to mine and my family's needs.”
“It made me feel better to hear what I heard at the meeting. Not one negative thing was said that was no.”
— CPFST family participants

CPFST Referral

TO MAKE A CPFST REFERRAL: Call KidSafe (802-863-9626) and download the referral packet below.
If you would like to consult about a situation, please call. A team meeting is one option, but there may be other ways to improve the safety of the child[ren] you are concerned about.
Download CPFST Referral Packet
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