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As the holidays get closer, we want to acknowledge that this season isn’t joyful for everyone. For many people, it can bring up grief, loneliness, stress, financial pressure, or memories of difficult times. If you’re feeling down, overwhelmed, or just “not like yourself,” please know you’re not alone.
You don’t have to push through it by yourself. If you need someone to listen, help you sort through what’s going on, or support you in any way, we’re here. Please reach out and give us a call. Whether you’re struggling a lot or just need to talk things out, support is available. You matter, and help is here when you’re ready.
Lorna Mattern
Chief Executive Officer
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Staff Spotlight: Laurie Sallisky
Therapeutic Case Manager, UCS Northshire
There is no shortage of opportunities for Laurie to effect positive change in her community. Through running therapeutic groups, Laurie creates environments where clients can encourage and support each other while developing skills and tools to use in the real world. One group close to her heart is Chickens for Change (C4C), an opportunity for elementary through high school-age youth to raise, care for, and sell chickens and eggs in order to promote business, social, and life skills.
Read full article.
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Manchester Center Knights of Columbus deliver Thanksgiving meals to UCS Northshire for families in need
The Knights of Columbus of Manchester Center delivered 25 Thanksgiving meal baskets to the UCS Northshire office, a tradition of over 25 years. The baskets of food are then picked up or delivered by UCS staff to families in the Northshire who have been identified as in need of assistance.
Thank you, Manchester Center Knights of Columbus, for providing warmth and support to local families!
Pictured: Ed Gotgart, Tom Grabher, Hugh Main, Don Hayward, Tracy Belden.
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New hours at Head Start/Early Head Start start January 1
Effective January 1, 2026, our Spring Center (655 Gage St.) and North Bennington locations (Park and West) will open at 7am.
Head Start is now enrolling at the Spring Center and at North Bennington locations. Limited space available. Learn more at ucsvt.org.
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UCS hosts legislative breakfast Nov 3 at Manchester Community Library
Thank you to Senator Seth Bongartz, Representative Will Greer, Representative Michael Nigro, James Paradissis of Senator Sanders' office and Robin Lunge of Senator Welch's office for joining us at a round table discussion on November 3 to learn about UCS and the services we provide in Bennington County.
Special thanks to Manchester Community Library for hosting us for this event.
UCS staff, community members and Amy Johnson, Director of Legislative Affairs and Public Policy at Vermont Care Partners, shared testimonials, trends and information around the challenges currently faced in Bennington County and Vermont, as well as the support needed to ensure needs are met. Topics included time required for background checks for Early Childhood Services staff, positive outcomes of Psychiatric Urgent Care for Kids (PUCK), a new Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (VIOP), emergency services staff embedded in local law enforcement, and conflict-free case management, payment reform, and funding challenges in Developmental Services.
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UCS expands substance use services as staff earn Vermont AAP certification
UCS is proud to recognize Clinical Care Coordinators Juliette Jackson and Shawn Holcombe for earning their Vermont Apprentice Addiction Professional (AAP) certification, an accomplishment that will increase access to substance use services for adults and youth throughout Bennington County. Additional UCS staff members are currently in the process of achieving their AAP certification, further supporting the agency’s efforts to expand its substance use services.
“This is an additional opportunity to support clients—I’m very excited about it,” said Keili Trottier, LCMHC, VT PGS, Assistant Director of Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Use Services. “It allows us to expand our substance use programs, including our Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (VIOP).”
Pictured: (Left) Keili Trottier, Assistant Director of Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Use Services, (Right) Juliette, Jackson, Clinical Care Coordinator
Not pictured: Shawn Holcombe, Clinical Care Coordinator
Read full article.
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Thank you to all who participated in this year's UCS Superhero 5K and Kids' Dash!
That's a wrap on our 8th annual UCS Superhero 5K and Kids' Dash! Thank you to all who participated in this special event, from our 214 racers and 75 volunteers to the sideline cheerers who made this day possible and meaningful.
A special thank you goes to the Bennington Police Department, Bennington Fire Department, the Town of Bennington, and UCS Superhero 5K Race Director Joel Stark for ensuring a smooth and safe event for our community.
Thank you to our 2025 event sponsors:
-Invincible Level - Heritage Family Credit Union
-Caped Crusader Level - Bennington Banner, Manchester Journal
-Guardian Level - JK Adams, The Richards Group
-Aquaman Level - Bennington Rescue Squad, Genoa Healthcare, Janitronics Facility Services
-Defender Level - GVH Studio, Inc., MSK Engineers, Northeast Delta Dental, rk Miles, Turning Point Center of Bennington, VT, VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region
-Champion Level - Coggins Toyota of Bennington, Hill & Thompson, SaVida Health, Taconic Music
Please find photos and results from this year’s race here.
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Virtual intensive outpatient program offered by UCS provides accessible treatment for Vermont residents with Medicaid
United Counseling Service (UCS) offers a virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) to provide accessible recovery support for adult residents of Vermont with Medicaid. The six-week, fully virtual program provides personalized support and aims to reduce barriers to recovery, such as transportation and childcare. Please contact 802-442-5491 for more information or to sign up.
Read full article.
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UCS wins 2025 Vermont Governor’s Excellence in Worksite Wellness Gold Level Award
United Counseling Service (UCS) is a winner of the 2025 Vermont Governor’s Excellence in Worksite Wellness Gold Level Award, presented by the Vermont Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, in partnership with the Vermont Department of Health. This award recognizes organizations around the state each year for their active worksite wellness programs. Two members of the UCS Worksite Wellness Committee received the award on behalf of the agency at the 29th Annual Fall Safety Expo at Killington Grand Resort on October 31.
Pictured: (Middle) Lindsey Marcelino, Wellness Care Coordinator, (Right) Mariam Shah, Outpatient Clinician
Read full article.
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Join UCS Developmental Services for a Holiday Craft Fair December 6 at Grace Christian School
UCS Developmental Services will host a holiday craft fair on December 6 at Grace Christian School. All sales benefit the Community Supports program, which helps individuals with developmental disabilities engage with and build meaningful connections in their communities.
Learn more.
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New partnership between Head Start and Oak Hill Children’s Center announced
United Children’s Services and Oak Hill Children’s Center announce a partnership to expand Head Start programming in southern Bennington County. Oak Hill has been a valued Early Head Start Partner serving infants and toddlers for the past ten years. With the addition of Head Start services for preschoolers, families in the Pownal community now have access to a full birth-to-school continuum of Head Start-supported experiences at Oak Hill.
Pictured: (Left) April Dunham, Family and Community Partnership Manager, (Second from left) Steph Light, Community Partnership Coordinator, (Second from right) Rebecca Bishop Ware, Director of Early Childhood Services
Learn more.
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Are you interested in opening your heart and home to someone with a developmental disability?
Our Shared Living Program provides personalized home support for individuals with intellectual disabilities and/or autism spectrum disorder. SLPs offer safe, caring and stable home environments, helping community members with developmental disabilities live fulfilling and independent lives.
SLPs receive:
- A monthly tax-free stipend
- Room and board payments from the individual
- Respite funds (financial assistance to provide temporary relief to caregivers) to support time off and life balance.
- Ongoing case management and optional Community Supports and Employment Connections
Learn more.
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We need your help to serve our community.
With our staff of nearly 350 across 17 locations in Bennington County, UCS provides services including early childhood and family support programs, outpatient mental health and crisis services, developmental services, and more.
Read about our impact here and support our efforts if you feel inclined by visiting ucsvt.org/give.
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Stay connected - Follow us on social media!
Join our community on social media on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn to see photos and updates from our events and programs.
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Find free care products locally on the Care Map:
View the Take Care Project's Care Map to find UCS and other participating organizations in the Bennington area. To learn more about the Take Care Project and upcoming packing parties, please visit actbennington.org.
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