Addison County in Vermont has an opioid-involved death rate that reached 40 deaths per 100,000 residents in 2023. It’s nearly double the rest of the state. At the same time, the county has no inpatient detox, residential treatment for adults or hospital-based emergency psychiatric services. An estimated 75% of folks who need addiction treatment in the county don’t receive it.
That’s where the money comes in. The United Way of Addison County won $750,000 per year over four years. The cash goes to four local nonprofits that cover nearly every aspect of recovery.
Rural counties have the same stats where overdose deaths go up while treatment tends to be far away. Addison County hopes that local providers can cover care options together faster than any single facility by itself.
The Big Four
Here are the four nonprofits:
- The Counseling Service of Addison County provides outpatient behavioral health care and workforce development.
- Mountain Community Health in Bristol delivers primary care and medications.
- The Peer Recovery Center of Addison County has peer support, overdose prevention and street outreach.
- Charter House Coalition in Middlebury manages emergency shelter, coordinated entry and housing.
Helena Van Voorst of the United Way of Addison County described the goal as connection. “It’s a no wrong door approach so that people can get the services they need.” A person who arrives at a food shelf, a medical clinic or a shelter can start a path into treatment from any of them.
The funded plans include a vehicle, Narcan, two substance use disorder clinicians embedded in schools, buprenorphine prescribed by an advanced practice registered nurse, telehealth, housing assistance and a campaign to battle stigmas.
Peer Recovery Center is already shopping for the vehicle to carry outreach workers and supplies into the county’s rural corners.
Telehealth & Schools
Heidi Melbostad of Mountain Community Health uses telehealth for medication-assisted treatment. That’s a lifesaver because people who lack transportation depend on telehealth MAT to stay on their prescriptions.
The school clinicians also play a part. Counseling Service of Addison County is pivoting toward community integration. Early efforts in schools reach young people and give families a place to start that isn’t an emergency room.
The grant also backs programs that keep people alive between treatment episodes. Charter House Coalition funds two positions focused on housing. Stable housing is one of the strongest predictors of whether addiction treatment sticks.
Care in The Green Mountain State & Beyond
For anyone in Addison County or anywhere else in the country who’s ready to start, our searchable directory can help. We feature centers that offer medication for opioid use disorder and counseling programs for those in the city or countryside.
You can also dial
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