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September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month—a time to raise awareness, encourage open conversations, and ensure people know where to turn for help. United Counseling Service (UCS) offers mental health and substance use support throughout Bennington County, including 24/7/365 mobile crisis services.
If you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, call UCS at (802) 442-5491. You can also call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or text VT to 741741 for the Crisis Text Line.
Learn more about UCS Suicide Prevention Resources.
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Staff Spotlight: Allison Cavanagh, Program Coordinator, Community Supports
Allison Cavanagh is Program Coordinator for the Community Supports program at United Counseling Service, within the agency’s division of Developmental Services. She appreciates the opportunities her job gives her each day to connect with and support clients and staff. Allison started just eight months ago and feels she found a great fit in her role at UCS.
“I’m new at the position,” says Allison, “But I think it’s a really good match for me, with my background and what I like to do. I love being a part of the community and sharing that with our clients and staff.”
Read full article.
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Direct Support Professional Appreciation Day is September 9!
Direct Support Professional Recognition Week is September 7-13, and Vermont will celebrate all amazing direct support professionals (DSPs) and the work they do with a special event on September 9 on the state house lawn. This event will bring together DSPs, the people they support, families, community partners, and policymakers for a day of recognition, appreciation, and connection.
Learn more about DSP day, including how to sponsor the event, at this link.
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From Bennington Banner:
Process over product: Long-running arts program continues to enrich Bennington County Head Start
Bennington County’s youngest learners have been drumming, painting, and creating their way through another year of an arts partnership that has quietly become a staple in local early education.
Since 2014, Bennington County Head Start and the Vermont Arts Exchange (VAE) have teamed up to bring high-quality arts experiences into six Head Start classrooms across three locations – North Bennington, the Spring Center in Bennington next to the Rec Center, and Pownal.
Read the full Bennington Banner article here.
Photo provided by Vermont Arts Exchange via Bennington Banner
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Head Start and Early Head Start of Bennington County team up with Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union (SVSU) to expand early education, support services and childcare opportunities for local families
Head Start and Early Head Start of Bennington County will partner with the Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union (SVSU) starting in September 2026 to offer a wider range of supports, resources, and educational opportunities for children and families in Bennington County.
This combining of efforts will provide increased flexibility for working families, including childcare that remains open until 5pm through Head Start, as well as summer programming and full year, year-round childcare, health and nutritional support, family resources and partnership, and more. Enrolled children will be able to attend SVSU on Monday through Thursday mornings, and Head Start in North Bennington in the afternoons. Children will also attend Head Start all day on Fridays.
Read full article.
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Now enrolling for fall at Head Start/Early Head Start
Don't wait - enroll today. Spaces in Head Start, Early Head Start, childcare and pre-k fill quickly. Head Start provides high-quality early education for children ages six weeks to five years and is open to all families.
For more information or to start enrollment process, contact April Dunham at adunham@ucsvt.org.
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Annual Barn Sale for UCS Northshire services returns September 19-20 to Riley Rink at Hunter Park
The annual Barn Sale fundraiser hosted by the Barn Sale Committee and benefiting United Counseling Service (UCS)’s mental health services in the Northshire returns the weekend of September 19-20 to Riley Rink at Hunter Park, located at 410 Hunter Park Road in Manchester, VT. Shoppers can stop by the sale from 9am-4pm on Saturday and 9am-3pm on Sunday to find clothing, furniture, kitchen equipment, vintage clothing, home décor, antiques, and much more. We want local families to have the first opportunity to find furniture for their homes. Dealers and resellers may purchase furniture beginning Saturday at 12pm. Thank you for understanding!
All proceeds from the two-day sale support UCS’ services in the Northshire region, including outpatient mental health services, psychiatry, substance use services, youth and family services, developmental services, and 24/7/365 mobile crisis services.
Visit event page.
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Register now for the UCS Superhero 5K and Kids' Dash!
Join us for our 9th annual UCS Superhero 5K and Kids' Dash on Saturday, November 7, 2026! This year’s UCS Superhero 5K and Kids’ Dash benefits Chickens for Change (C4C), a program of UCS that provides 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.
Please visit our event page to learn more and register!
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Upcoming Mental Health First Aid trainings
Adult Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) teaches you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adults. You’ll build skills and confidence you need to reach out and provide initial support to those who are struggling. You’ll also learn how to help connect them to appropriate support.
Trainings are open to the public and currently offered at no cost. Space is limited. For more information or to register, contact MLindsey@ucsvt.org.
Friday, September 18, 9am-4pm - 655 Gage Street, Bennington, VT
Friday, November 13, 9am-4pm - 100 Ledge Hill Drive
Please visit ucsvt.org/events to find all upcoming UCS events.
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We're hiring! Visit ucsvt.org/careers for all openings.
Featured jobs:
Read our Staff Spotlight feature stories at this link.
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UCS is accepting new clients.
UCS offers outpatient mental health care, programs for children, youth and families, support for substance use disorders, and more. Please visit ucsvt.org and call us at 802-442-5491 to learn more about accessing services with us.
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We need your help to serve our community.
With 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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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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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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