South Burlington is its own municipality with its own school district, even though it borders Burlington and shares the same county-level early-intervention team and developmental-disability agency. That distinction matters: a South Burlington family's evaluation request goes to South Burlington School District, not to Burlington's.

Below is what a search of public sources turned up for South Burlington specifically, plus the shared county resources that also apply here.

Statewide programs, numbers, and rights are on the Vermont page. This page adds the local entry points that are specific to South Burlington (Chittenden County).

Early intervention under 3: Children's Integrated Services (CIS) — Chittenden County

Because early intervention in Vermont is organized by county rather than by town, South Burlington families use the same Chittenden County CIS team that Burlington families do, coordinated out of Howard Center. Referral can come from a parent, a pediatrician, or a child care provider, and a diagnosis isn't a prerequisite — the team screens for developmental concerns in children from birth through age 3, with some services extending to age 6, and builds an Individualized Family Service Plan once eligibility is confirmed.

• Children's Integrated Services (CIS) — Chittenden County
• Referral phone: 802-860-4426

New to early intervention? Read the plain-language guide first.

School districts and special education

South Burlington School District runs its own special-education and Child Find process through its Educational Support Systems office, separate from the neighboring Burlington district despite the shared county services around it. Vermont's Agency of Education backs that up statewide, publishing the special-education rules and parent-rights information that apply equally in South Burlington.

• South Burlington School District — Educational Support Systems / Special Education office; a Multi-Tiered System of Supports team reviews student needs before and alongside formal evaluation
• Vermont Agency of Education — Special Education — statewide special-education office covering every Vermont district, including South Burlington

IEP or 504 · If you disagree with the school

Evaluation and diagnosis pathways in South Burlington

We have not yet verified a hospital or university evaluation program with public intake information in South Burlington. That is a gap in our research, not a sign there is nothing here — and it does not stand between you and an evaluation. The school district evaluation above is free, and early intervention under 3 does not need a private diagnosis first.

How assessment works · What to do while you wait

Disability services and waivers: Howard Center — Designated Agency for Chittenden County

Howard Center holds the state's designation for developmental and mental-health services across all of Chittenden County, so South Burlington residents use the same agency Burlington does. After a South Burlington family completes the state's eligibility process, Howard Center coordinates ongoing services, including access to Vermont's home- and community-based Medicaid waiver through the Developmental Disabilities Services Division.

• Howard Center — Designated Agency for Chittenden County
• Phone: 802-488-6500

Local organizations that help South Burlington families

• Vermont Family Network — statewide Parent Training and Information Center; supports families navigating IEPs and disability services from any Vermont town, including South Burlington

Documented waits and access notes

Wait times change. Each note below links to the public source it came from — confirm current status directly with the program.

• South Burlington School District must complete evaluation and hold its initial Eligibility Planning Team meeting within 60 calendar days from your written consent date. (source)
• The Chittenden County CIS team serving South Burlington must complete your child's initial evaluation, family assessment, and first IFSP within 45 calendar days of the referral date. (source)
• Vermont's developmental disabilities waiver program had zero individuals waiting for services in 2025. (source)