In 2010, Spectrum's Counseling Program was awarded an Innovation Award in Substance Abuse Services (iAward) sponsored by the State Associations of Addiction Services (SAAS) and NIATx. Spectrum was chosen for this award for its rapid referral and assessment program, which reduces wait times for outpatient services, such as treatment for drug and alcohol abuse. This program is a process improvement collaboration implemented with the Chittenden District Court. Through this collaboration, Spectrum has developed a system where we offer weekly rapid assessments for people in pre-trial arraignment. The goal is to get offenders in for assessment and counseling sooner (i.e. before probation or jail) to reduce potential charges and sentencing, reduce recidivism rates, and increase successful treatment outcomes.

In January 2009, Spectrum was nationally recognized as the Agency of the Year by the National Network for Youth. In the words of the nominator of this award: This has been a year of transformation for Spectrum Youth and Family Services. Spectrum has successfully undertaken a transformative move toward Outcome-Based accountability.  Spectrum staff have unanimously stated that it has helped them to become considerably more youth-focused. 

Our staff is highly qualified. In 2004, Spectrum’s Counseling Program received the Vermont State Treatment Director’s Award for outstanding leadership and performance in the field of substance abuse/mental health treatment of adolescents.

In 2007, the KidSafe Collaborative awarded Mark Redmond, the Gregory Packan Children’s Advocacy Award. In 2008, the KidSafe Collaborative recognized Brian Plisko, our former Drop-in Center Coordinator, as the “Up and Coming Young Professional Award.”

In addition, Mark Redmond has published articles in YouthToday, a nationally distributed newspaper that is read by more than 70,000 professionals in the youth service field.

In 2007, The American Society of Business Publication Editors awarded Mark the Silver Columnist, Award of Excellence.

In March of 2007, Spectrum was audited by the Vermont Agency for Human Services Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programs, which resulted in full-approval of our program. The auditors stated:

Spectrum is doing a stellar job in the services being provided to the adolescents and young adults who seek out their services. From referral to assessment to treatment to discharge their plans are thorough and comprehensive. Annie and her staff are providing the array of services the state is requesting.

In September of 2007, the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Agency for Children and Families, Family and Youth Service Bureau audited Spectrum. After their visit to our Counseling Program: “ . . . the clinical/counseling piece is so much further along than other places in the country.”