Community Matters
January 1, 2024
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Rebecca Bishop Ware, M. Ed. is new Director of Early Childhood Services at Head Start/Early Head Start of Bennington County | |
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Rebecca Bishop Ware, M.Ed. takes on the role of Director of Early Childhood Services at Head Start/Early Head Start of Bennington County as Director Betsy Rathbun-Gunn retires in December. Rebecca has served United Counseling Service’s (UCS) Head Start/Early Head Start program for 26 years, starting part-time as a teacher assistant in 1997 and working her way to Assistant Director, a role she held for seven years.
Read full article.
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Staff Spotlight: Rachel Olmstead-Miri, Nurse Consultant | |
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Brattleboro, VT, native Rachel Olmstead-Miri, RN BSN, supports staff and clients every day in her role as Nurse Consultant at United Counseling Service (UCS). She serves clients engaged in services across the entire agency, from Outpatient Mental Health to Developmental Services, and manages Employee Health responsibilities, including covid tracking and giving limited medical advice to staff who visit her office.
Read full article.
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2023 Superhero 5K and Kids' Dash raises
$2,500 for Teens4Change
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The 6th annual Superhero 5K and Kids' Dash on November 4 raised $2,500 for our peer-led Teens4Change (T4C) program! T4C is funded solely by donations and gives local teens year-round opportunities to build meaningful connections, make friends, and take action in their community. | | |
Bennington County Sheriff's Dept., Veterans of Foreign Wars and Auxiliary partner with Head Start to provide holiday gifts for 100 families | |
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(Pictured: UCS Family Support staff members shop with staff from the Bennington County Sheriff's Department for local families in need.)
The Bennington County Sheriff’s department, along with Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Auxiliary, partnered with Head Start/Early Head Start of Bennington County to identify local families who could use some assistance this holiday season providing gifts for their children.
Read full article.
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UCS hosts another successful Holiday Craft Fair | |
Staff and clients in our Developmental Services division hosted the annual Holiday Craft Fair on December 8 at the First Baptist Church in Bennington. Local vendors joined UCS client artists and makers to share and sell their work at the event, which directly benefited the Developmental Services Connections Employment program. We look forward to hosting again next year! | | |
Mental Health Advocacy Day is January 29 | |
Join National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Vermont for (virtual!) Mental Health Advocacy Day January 29
Share your story, submit artwork, or nominate an Unsung Hero who advocates for individuals experiencing mental health conditions. This year's theme is: Welcoming and Caring Communities – Belonging for All.
Learn more.
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How are we able to serve our community?
By Jill Doyle, UCS Director of Finance
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Six decades later and United Counseling Service (UCS) continues to make an impact. We rely on a variety of funding sources to run our many community-based mental health, developmental, and early childhood educational programs across Bennington County.
Read full article.
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(Pictured: Union Street Group Home Manager Mana and client Pam at the Holiday Craft Fair)
Featured jobs:
Developmental Services:
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Direct Support Professional: Make a difference in the lives of others by helping adults with developmental disabilities reach their goals and develop relationships in their communities. (*Opportunities available in the Employment, Community Supports and Residential programs)
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Shared Living Case Manager: Support clients who reside in a shared living home by ensuring their needs are met and helping them identify goals, needs and strengths.
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Family Services Case Manager: Support clients by ensuring their needs are met, helping them identify goals, strengths, and needs, and advocating for clients as needed.
Early Childhood Services:
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Bus Driver/Teacher Assistant: Help children in your community get a bright start at Head Start/Early Head Start. Provide transportation to children as a bus driver 15 hours per week and help out in the classroom 25 hours per week.
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Behavior Interventionist: Provide behavioral support and case management to clients to help strengthen their connection between home, school and community.
View our current job openings at ucsvt.org/careers.
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Our annual report is live! Read it here.
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(Pictured: Client Mia at her job at Vermont Kitchen Supply)
Our 2022-2023 annual report is here! Read this year's stories, program highlights, and staff award winners here.
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Thank you, Manchester Center Knights of Columbus! | |
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(Pictured: The Manchester Center Knights of Columbus deliver Thanksgiving meal boxes to UCS clients in the Northshire)
The Manchester Center Knights of Columbus made Thanksgiving bright for several local families engaged in UCS services in the Northshire by donating holiday meal kits including Thanksgiving turkeys. The Knights have kept this tradition of giving alive for more than 20 years and they help many families who face financial difficulties this time of the year. Thank you, Manchester Center Knights!
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Celebrating 35 Years at UCS | |
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(Pictured: Community Support Services Manager JoAnne (left) with Executive Director Lorna Mattern)
Congratulations to JoAnne Larsen on 35 years of serving the Bennington community as Community Support Services Manager with our Community Rehabilitation and Treatment division! We are grateful for JoAnne and all that she does to support our clients and mentor staff.
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Your gift helps us build a stronger community.
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(Pictured: Clients caring for their plot in the Bennington Community Garden)
Your support makes a world of difference to our friends and neighbors. Please consider donating today at ucsvt.org/give.
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