About the Vermont I-Team
Statewide collaborative support for Vermont children and youth needing intensive special education
The Vermont Interdisciplinary Team, or “I-Team”, believes in an educational system where students with complex learning profiles fully belong in their classroom and school communities. A system where they have access to the same educational, social, and personal opportunities as their peers.
And we work to improve local educational teams’ capacities to implement research-based interventions and current best practices in the field of education. We do this through technical assistance, professional development and collaborating with other statewide consultation agencies.
Meet Our Staff
Our staff includes:
- Referral Specialist Caleb Serra
- 5 Regional Educational Consultants
- 3 Family Resource Consultants
- 4 Augmentative and Alternative Communication Consultants
- 2 Occupational Therapy Consultants
- A Physical Therapy Consultant
- A Transition Services Specialist
The Vermont I-Team is a project of UVM’s Center on Disability & Community Inclusion. It receives support from the State of Vermont.
About Our Consultants
All of the consultants are expected to demonstrate professional practices such as:
- have extensive experience in their areas of expertise and related to students with complex profiles
- retain the appropriate educational credentials in their areas of expertise and related to students with complex profiles.
- have knowledge and experience in areas related to the Technical Assistance process, such as: collaborative teamwork, creative problem-solving, distance-based consultation, adult learning, interdisciplinary collaboration; educational systemic improvement strategies; working with Supervisory Union/District leadership teams; providing leadership in educational settings.
- have knowledge of state resources and projects, such as: DHOH, VABVI, MTSS, BEST, Continence Project
- have knowledge and experience in areas related to best practices in education: universal design for learning, differentiated instruction, inclusive education, systematic instruction, assistive technology; data-based decision making
- remain current in their knowledge of best practices in their areas of expertise
Dr. Cassandra Townshend hired as I-Team Director!
We’re thrilled to announce Cassandra Townshend, Ed.D. , as the Vermont I-Team’s next Director, starting July 1 at the UVM Center on Disability & Community Inclusion (CDCI), College of Education and Social Services, at the University of Vermont
Dr. Townshend brings nearly 20 years of experience in education, supporting schools and districts to build systems that promote students’ social, emotional, and behavioral needs, well‑being, and mental health. She currently serves as Co‑Director of the BEST Project and is the Principal Investigator for Project AWARE, both at CDCI.
She previously led district‑wide initiatives as a Director of Special Education and Director of Behavior Systems, ensuring students with complex needs could be supported and included within their home school communities. She is also a certified CPI trainer with deep expertise in de‑escalation, proactive and responsive classroom practices, PBIS/MTSS, and crisis intervention.
I-Team History
The I-Team’s history is intertwined with the Center on Disability and Community Inclusion. Our work supporting students with complex needs began in 1974 as a partnership between the Vermont Agency (then “Department”) of Education and the University of Vermont College of Education and Social Services. The early days of the Center focused on educating Vermont children who had previously only been served at the Brandon Training School, Vermont’s state institution for people with disabilities. That work expanded in 1977 with the creation of the “Vermont Interdisciplinary Team for Intensive Special Education.” The I-Team aided schools in the implementation of the early laws and regulations that supported the education of students with disabilities. The Vermont I-Team has been working with the Vermont Agency of Education continuously since 1978.
Our Values
The Vermont I-Team’s core set of values are the foundation how we do our work. We value:
- practicing collaborative teaming
- embracing the “least dangerous assumption” and holding high expectations for all students
- applying inclusive learning practices
- fostering true family engagement
- honoring person-centered program planning
Our Model
The I-Team model promotes building the capacity of the local team based on identified outcomes. We support teams with:
- Increased membership & participation
- Universal Design for Learning
- Person-centered planning
- Curriculum-based instructional planning
- Collaborative teaming & decision-making
- Augmentative Communication
- IEP development & implementation
- Family support
How We Work
Each of Vermont’s four regions has its own educational consultant — who provides extensive skill and knowledge to IEP and school teams — and its own family resource consultant, who provides support to families through first-hand experience.
Quick Facts
2024 Vermont I-Team Fact Sheet
