Our Vision
All children and families belong to nurturing communities.

Our Mission
Laraway Youth & Family Services provides opportunities for children and families to recognize their individual strengths while supporting them to grow and contribute within our communities.

Values:
1) LYFS is youth centered and family focused.We listen to the voice of the child and strive to act in his or her best interest.We appreciate diverse family cultures.We honor youth and their families by preserving, supporting and strengthening their bonds.

2) LYFS promotes respect for individuals and organizations.We recognize the potential of all human beings.We celebrate differences and accomplishments.We seek to create and maintain relationships based on trust and integrity.

3) LYFS creates opportunities and strives to empower youth and their families.We identify individual strengths.We coordinate the creation of realistic action plans.We seek and integrate feedback.

4) LYFS values building community and encourages giving back.We believe a strong Laraway family is the foundation of our work.We promote participation in local activities and culture.We foster professional partnerships and alliances.We support youth in their transitions to families and communities.

Our History (a brief timeline)
•1972: Laraway School of Moonstone, Inc. is founded in Waterville, Vermont, by Rumsey Jesser as a school for at-risk youth who were unsuccessful at their public high schools. An 1840s barn on Jesser’s property serves as a classroom.
•1974: Laraway relocates to the Living and Learning Center at Johnson State College. Programming expands to include residential services.
•1975: Congress passes Public Law 94142 requiring school systems, for the first time, to provide students with special needs a “free and appropriate education”. Federal funding becomes available for special education.
•1976: Laraway moves to an old Victorian, formerly owned by Johnson State College, at 95 School Street in Johnson. Outdoor adventure education is added as a curricular component around this time.
•1980s: Laraway introduces a work placement program, helping to prepare youth for the transition to adulthood. Laraway runs a downtown Johnson Scoop Shop in partnership with Ben and Jerry’s in the latter part of the decade.
•1990s: Federal de-institutionalization prompts Laraway to transform its residential program to a licensed therapeutic foster care placement agency.
•2000s: Laraway continues to expand services, adding the Backpack Program which helps children experiencing severe behavioral challenges find success in their schools of origin.