VFT for Tomorrow - Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Visions for Tomorrow?
A: Visions for Tomorrow (VFT) is an education program written for primary, direct caregivers of children and adolescents with mental illness. The focus is on symptoms, not diagnosis. The curriculum covers more than a dozen major diagnoses and the basics of day-to-day skills building.

The teachers (always a team of two) are themselves primary caregivers. These trained family members have experienced first-hand the rewards and the challenges of raising children with mental illness. The course offers caregivers an opportunity to share mutual experiences and learn valuable lessons from one another.

Course topics include: Brain Biology; ADHD, PDD/Autism, Tourette’s, Conduct Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Depresssive Disorder, Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD), Eating Disorders, Anxiety Disorders: separation anxiety, panic, phobias, generalized anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder and more; empathy and sharing; parents as case managers; communication skills; caregiver, system and sibling support; coping and self care; problem management; rehabilitation, recovery and transition; advocacy, the juvenile judicial system, and stigma.

Q: Where did VFT come from? Who owns it?
A: VFT was written and developed by a team of experienced caregivers, family members, and professionals who were selected by the TEXAMI (now NAMI Texas) staff. NAMI Texas retains all copyrights to the curriculum and oversees its annual update.

Q: Is the whole program applicable to all states?
A: Most of the program is universal, which adds to the appeal of this curriculum. During the 2005 rewrite, recommendations on how states can tailor the program to their specific needs is taught in the recertification and new teacher training using simple and existing community resources. This makes VFT feel more community driven in its presentation format.

Q: Where do we get the VFT materials?
A: NAMI Texas will provide a full set of materials to each state organization that signs the limited use agreement and pays all applicable fees.

States can then make copies of the STUDENT MANUALS ONLY as needed to conduct classes.

Teacher Manuals, Trainer Manuals, Recertification Manuals, Brochures and other materials are all copyrighted and CAN NOT BE REPRODUCED.

NAMI Texas has an order form that can be provided for your convience to order your materials to set up your first training or to order additional materials as needed. Or you can download an order form from the downloads page.  Affiliates are responsible for the shipping costs as well, so please be sure to include a Fed Ex or a comparable shipping service account.

Where do I direct other questions?
Fountain Park Plaza III
2800 South IH35, Suite 140

Austin, TX 78704

Phone: (800)633-3760

Fax: (512)693-8000

Direct Line-Deborah Rose:  214-257-8787.

Email: info@namitexasvft.com

Check out htttp://www.boonzee.com - a unique place for families to reach out and help each other in caring for loved ones.  Hope and insights that can only come from someone who has taken the same journey. Be sure to join, it's free and add your own special list of resources for others.