To Whom It May Concern: 

I am writing regarding the present condition of Vermont’s substance abuse treatment system of care. 

Vermont’s present model is funded via an “episodic rate,” which often results in short-term stays (14-17 days) at the highest level of care in one of two primary High-Intensity Residentials:  Valley Vista or Serenity House.  While low-intensity residential treatment is available, individuals are often discharged to their communities for treatment in their home geographic area, usually with options that range from living at a Sober Home and outpatient care, recovery supports at the local Turning Point Center, or both. 

This unfortunately places them back with the very people, places and things which fed their addiction to begin with.  Relapse is almost a certainty, and they are eventually sent back for another 14-17 day stay at a High-Intensity Residential. 

This is what is called a Wash-Rinse-Repeat cycle, and we are doing exactly that in Vermont. The system we have in place may have worked somewhat well when we were in a Heroin crisis.  But we are in a Fentanyl/Xylazine crisis, which is very different and requires a different approach. 

As the executive director of Spectrum Youth and Family Services, one of our main programs is the provision of outpatient counseling for those suffering from mental health and/or substance use disorders.  Eighteen months ago, I started meeting with judges, staff from Probation and Parole, and with providers from treatment programs such as Jenna’s Promise.  We were all reporting seeing the sad, same phenomenon.  We did our research and learned that other states, including nearby New Hampshire, have a much longer and more comprehensive system for treating those suffering from substance use disorder.  We learned that we are missing that “middle piece,” that part of treatment that links an individual from a Valley Vista/Serenity House, to at least 30 days of coordinated care, and then refers people to the Sober Homes and Turning Point Centers which are, in fact, an indispensable component of treatment.    

Creating this “middle piece” is supported by the scientific literature which states that the longer an individual is drug-free and has an opportunity to practice sobriety, the more likely he or she will engage in a sustainable, sober lifestyle. 

It also makes financial sense for our taxpayers.  The High-Intensity Residential is the most expensive component of the system of care.  By treating an individual there for 14-17 days, sending them into the community, having them quickly relapse, and end back up at that Residential, this Wash-Rinse-Repeat cycle is costing the taxpayer dearly.  It makes far more sense dollar-wise to continue to keep individuals in the system of care longer where the likelihood of their staying sober increases, and the cost to the taxpayer is less. 

Another factor to consider is that under our present system, some of these individuals are relapsing and then becoming homeless and ending up in hotels and shelters, all of which are expensive.  Some become involved in crime, at the cost of public safety and with a fiscal cost as well.  The fact is that a person who is stable in their recovery is much more likely to obtain and maintain employment and secure permanent housing. 

It took our group over a year, but we convinced the Scott administration to include funding for this “middle piece” in the Governor’s recommended budget.  The administration has done so, proposing $1.5M which will create 15 beds.   

It is now up to the Vermont Legislature to decide whether or not to proceed with this plan, and I am imploring them to do so.  It would be nothing less than tragic to remove this money from the budget for some other purpose.  We cannot wait for another biennium to address this issue.  People are dying from overdoses of Fentanyl and Xylazine now.  We need to catch up to the science and to what other states are doing.  Vermont was not long ago the standard for the nation in terms of the provision of Medically Assisted Treatment, and the Hub-and-Spoke model, for the treatment of heroin addiction.  But this is a different time, with much more dangerous drugs, requiring a different approach.   

I am asking the Vermont Legislature to do the right thing and move ahead with the administration’s proposal.  This has nothing to do with left versus right politics.  It has to do with science, saving money , and, most importantly, saving lives. 

Sincerely 

Mark Redmond 
Executive Director 

The post A Letter to the Legislature: Vermont’s Substance Abuse Treatment System of Care appeared first on Spectrum Youth & Family Services.

Click here to read the full article.

Here are the opportunities published about Spectrum:

Tutoring (Multicultural and New American youth)

Description: Provide academic support for New American and multicultural youth in Spectrum’s Resource Space.

Time commitment: Several hours each week

Organization: Spectrum Youth and Family Services

Location: Available upon sign-up

Contact: myp@spectrumvt.org

Mentoring (Teens and young adults)

Description: Become a positive adult role model for youth between 12 and 22. Each volunteer with be matched with a child, participate in their hobbies and help them set goals. Male mentors of color and LGBTQ+ identified mentors are especially needed. Volunteers must be at least 21 years old, pass a background check and able to provide reliable transportation.

Time commitment:

• Four hours per month over two to four sessions; minimum commitment of one year
• Required eight hours of training in one to two-hour increments

Organization: Spectrum Youth and Family Services

Location: Available upon sign-up

Contact: mentoring@spectrumvt.org

Meal donation

Description: Donate a meal large enough for 20-30 youths at Spectrum’s Drop-In Center, which provides basic needs services, warms meals, housing and case management referrals and supportive engagement to young adults between 14 and 25.

Time commitment: Varies

• Meals should arrive between 4-4:30 p.m.

Organization: Spectrum Youth and Family Services

Location: 177 Pearl St., Burlington, VT 05401

Contact:

• Main contact: cbrown@spectrumvt.org
• Contact to enter the building: (802) 777-5714

Organizing drop-in donations

Description: Help organize Spectrum’s clothing donations for youth.

Time commitment: Varies

Organization: Spectrum Youth and Family Services

Location: Available upon sign-up

Contact: dropin@spectrumvt.org

Miscellaneous volunteering

Description: Help with various Spectrum events and special projects, such as large mailings.

Time commitment: A few hours at a time

Organization: Spectrum Youth and Family Services

Location: Available upon sign-up

Contact: events@spectrumvt.org

The post Here are local volunteer opportunities to get on Santa’s Nice List next year appeared first on Spectrum Youth & Family Services.

EWSD — Tents were pitched and hammocks hung on the front lawn of Essex High School as students set up to sleep outside in solidarity with homeless Vermont youth and youth at risk of homelessness, Thursday, March 30.

The students’ efforts were led by the school’s Athletic Leadership Council, participating in the 12th annual sleepout organized by Spectrum, a Burlington and St. Albans-based youth and family services organization.

Spectrum is a nationally-recognized leader, serving youth ages 12-26 and their families since 1970. Each year, Spectrum serves 1,500 teens, young adults, and their family members.

EHS was among seven other schools across Vermont participating in the Sleep Out.

EHS senior Peyton Ashe began setting up her tent while the sun was still up, well before the 9:30 p.m. start time for the event.

“I just wanted to support youth homelessness and just stay outside so we can kind of feel what it’s like for someone who might be at risk for homelessness, what they might have to go through on a daily basis, even though we have a nice tent and they’re gonna have blankets and stuff so it’s gonna be a little nicer,” Ashe told the Reporter.

Leading up to the sleepout date, participants asked family and friends to support Spectrum with donations. EHS students surpassed their fundraising goal, raising $4,306. Spectrum’s overall goal this year was $400,000.

“With your help, we are making sure that every teenager and young adult in our community has a place to go when they need help most,” Spectrum’s donation page states.

The post EHS Students Pitch Their Tents on Their School’s Front Lawn for the Sleep Out appeared first on Spectrum Youth & Family Services.

Vermont is facing a mental healthcare crisis for youth. To help, in 2022, Riverstone Counseling doubled in size and had outgrown the counseling space at our 31 Elmwood office.  

After months of searching for a new office location, we found the perfect spot at 84 Pine Street. We are so excited to share that we began construction on January 3, 2023, and plan to move in April 2023. Thank you to all our donors and community partners for helping make this new space a reality.  Here are some photos of the new space for our Riverstone Counseling program. To learn more about our counseling program click here.

The post Construction Begins on New Counseling Space  appeared first on Spectrum Youth & Family Services.

FRANKLIN COUNTY — Spectrum has expanded services in Franklin and Grand Isle Counties, leasing three apartments to youth at risk for homelessness and offering the Compass program to youth in need.

Two years ago, Spectrum opened a drop-in center in St. Albans for youth ages 14-24. Today, up to almost 400 individual young people have accessed the center. 

“The number of youth in St. Albans utilizing Spectrum and how frequently they show up for drop-in has far exceeded my expectations,” said Mark Redmond, executive director of Spectrum. “By expanding our programs here, we can make an even bigger impact on youth.”

In September, Spectrum provided three youth with fully furnished, one-bedroom apartments in St. Albans owned by Chittenden Housing Trust. These housing opportunities placed youth aging out of foster care or that would otherwise be homeless in secure housing for one year. 

Spectrum will also continue to provide case management and other support services to these youth to help ensure their successful transition to independent living.

Most recently, the Vermont Department for Children and Families selected Spectrum to offer the Compass Program in Franklin and Grand Isle counties. Compass is a free-of-charge program providing prevention and stabilization services to youth ages 12 – 23 in Chittenden, Franklin and Grand Isle Counties. 

Eligible youth can be justice-involved, have DCF involvement, considered homeless, have run away from home, pregnant, parenting, or experiencing transition age problems. 

Compass offers individualized treatment plans, individual and family meetings, clinical interventions, case management support, coordinated care across agencies, and access to 24/7 crisis support.

“For the past four years, we have seen the positive impact the Compass Program has had in Chittenden County,” said Alicia Cerasoli, Director of Compass Program at Spectrum. “I am thrilled we are now able to do the same for young people in Franklin and Grand Isle Counties.”

Expanding these two programs to St. Albans rounds out Spectrum’s Youth Development Program already in place. The Youth Development Program helps youth in or aging out of state custody transition to a self-sufficient and thriving adulthood by working with them to set and accomplish goals around such areas as education, work, housing, mental and physical health, and support systems.

The post Spectrum Expands Services in Franklin and Grand Isle Counties appeared first on Spectrum Youth & Family Services.

“They [a Spectrum Youth] expressed concern that maybe this is a scam, because the apartments are so nice and she has never lived anywhere this nice in her life. When she found out that this is real, she cried with joy. Thanks everyone for your hard work making this a reality for our youth.”

-Spectrum Youth

Spectrum is grateful to Champlain Housing Trust for supporting Spectrum in getting these leases and to United Way of Northwest Vermont for the $10,000 they donated for furniture, kitchen supplies, TVs, and much more to furnish the apartments.

Spectrum staff can continue working with these youth while housed in the apartments to help them build the necessary skills to reach their goals. Housing and core life skills provide these youth with a foundation for a successful future.

The post Spectrum Provides 3 Youth New Apartments appeared first on Spectrum Youth & Family Services.

ST. ALBANS — At Spectrum Youth & Family Services on Wednesday, the biggest news for the youth was the day’s menu – goulash.

Rep. Peter Welch’s arrival came in at a close second.

For Spectrum executive director Mark Redmond, however, his visit was a good chance to show what federal investment can do for local youth.

“It’s good for him to hear about,” Redmond said. “We’re going to need money to keep this going.”

Located at 223 Lake Street, the Spectrum Drop-in Center provides a safe place for teenagers, and the organization’s mission is to help young people develop positive life skills and habits as they enter adulthood. Spectrum also has three Burlington-based locations.

Welch spent part of his visit to Franklin and Grand Isle counties talking to some of the local youth who hang out at the St. Albans location and hearing about Spectrum’s programming. Originally opened in May of 2021, the drop-in center’s first two years of operation are partially funded with $300,000 in federal dollars through the community development block grant program.

Another $295,750 is provided through private funding.

“Like everyone, kids are going through some tough times, and they need a safe place,” Welch said. “It’s all about following the needs to help children.”

Since opening the center, Redmond said Spectrum has seen a steady increase in kids who come through its front doors as the pandemic winds down. By the time of Welch’s visit, the center had tallied a total of 300 who had used Spectrum’s services.

Identifying the youth in need, however, has just been one part of the process. As more come through the doors each day, Spectrum social workers are also starting to identify the best ways to tackle issues that local youth bring to the table, such as the need for stable housing, healthy meals and social support.

When speaking with Welch, Redmond said they’ve recognized that many youth are now seeking mental health services or counseling, which requires parental approval to access insurance funding. 

If the federal government provided additional funding, Spectrum could better provide mental health support.

Redmond also talked about ongoing efforts to provide housing and additional technical support for children as they become adults, and the federal government could help foot some of the bill depending on need.

The approach has already had some success. Working with the Champlain Housing Trust, Spectrum now leases out three apartments to those entering adulthood without typical parent support.

“Some of them were in tears when we told them,” Redmond said. “They were saying it was the best place they ever lived.”

Spectrum houses the young adults in the newly built Vista Apartments, located behind the Cadillac Hotel in St. Albans. 

The building features 15 apartments to help households secure more permanent housing, and 10 of its apartments are rented out through the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity. The project began renting out the households as affordable housing beginning this past June.

“We took some of the older kids to live in the apartments. They’re entering their careers and they needed a place,” Redmond said.

The ‘Welch wagon’ tour

Welch’s visit to Spectrum on Wednesday was part of his 14-stop Welch Wagon tour across the state, and he spent the day in Franklin and Grand Isle counties meeting with voters and hearing from business owners.

Other stops included The Traveled Cup, Leader Evaporator, Snow Farm Vineyard and Hackett’s Orchard. 

The Congressman is currently campaigning to replace Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.)  in the U.S. Senate, and he is widely-regarded as the frontrunner in the race. If he were to win, he said he’d continue the work that Leahy pushed forward.

Priorities in the next legislative session, he said, are holding the line against conservative efforts, especially those by Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell, to push through a nationwide ban on abortion. Welch also highlighted the need to continue to support climate initiatives and advocate for fair elections.

If Republicans ended up winning legislative seats, Welch said “it would be a real reversal of direction.”

Welch said he’d also continue the work that Leahy has done for Vermont by bringing federal funds into the state, Franklin County and St. Albans.

“I have such vivid memories of St. Albans before they updated to what it was today,” Welch said. “There are a lot of empty storefronts filled now.”

The post Rep. Welch hangs with the youth; visit to region part of ‘Welch Wagon’ appeared first on Spectrum Youth & Family Services.

For 14 years, Revon had to hide and protect himself from his father. Spectrum gave him a safe place to go where he feels comfortable, gets food, and is no longer trapped. Spectrum’s Drop-in Center is a place where Revon can get the help he needs.

The post Revon’s Story: How Spectrum Changed His Life appeared first on Spectrum Youth & Family Services.

It’s no secret that young people have struggled during the pandemic. At Riverstone Counseling, we have seen unprecedented rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidality; last summer our waitlist for services topped out at 80 people, and our crisis intervention program is also seeing a record increase in clients.

Because of this, our counseling program has doubled in size, but that caused a crisis for us. We don’t have the appropriate space at our current counseling location, on Elmwood Ave, to accommodate the additional counselors in one space. We needed to find a location that could house all of our current counseling staff and allow for potential expansion in the future.

We are so excited to share that we found the perfect spot at 84 Pine Street, and with a few renovations, we hope to open in this new location later this year.

Many thanks to Yves Bradley, Jeff Nick, Vermont Federal Credit Union, and our generous donors for making this expansion possible.

The post Spectrum Purchases New Building Space to Accommodate Riverstone Counseling Growth appeared first on Spectrum Youth & Family Services.

In September, Spectrum Youth and Family Services became a community partner with City Market. Now, when you volunteer at Spectrum you are eligible to get a 12 percent shopping discount for volunteering four hours a month, or a seven percent shopping discount for volunteering two hours a month on all your City Market Purchases.

Learn more about the discount: https://spcvt.org/3x9pu4k

The post Spectrum Becomes a City Market Community Partner; Get Shopping Discounts appeared first on Spectrum Youth & Family Services.