For the fifth consecutive year, VTDigger is excited to work with Vermont Care Partners to promote the much-needed services of its sixteen respective member agencies which, includes NCSS. They also understand how important it is for our elected officials to know how to support the needs of Vermonters.  

This thirteen-week series is a collaboration produced by members of the Vermont Care Partners statewide network of sixteen non-profit, community-based agencies providing mental health, substance use and intellectual and developmental disability support.

Below is the tenth installment of the series from Northeast Kingdom Human Services (NKHS) highlighting how they’re improving public safety by providing therapeutic alternatives for Vermonters.    

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT A crisis continuum of care Sponsored by Vermont Care Partners Northeast Kingdom Human Services (NKHS) plans to launch its Front Porch program, a mental health urgent care initiative, in 2024.

A crisis continuum of care

Improving public safety by providing therapeutic alternatives for Vermonters 

Northeast Kingdom Human Services (NKHS) plans to launch its Front Porch program, a mental health urgent care initiative, in 2024. This final and long-awaited service completes a community-based crisis continuum of care.  

The desire to create a 24/7 mental health facility started years ago through advocacy work from Betty and Chris Barrett of Newport Center, VT. Betty, a suicide attempt survivor, and a mother who lost a son to suicide, deeply understood the difference a therapeutic environment with professional supports could make for someone in mental distress. 

Chris and Betty’s grassroots efforts to call attention to the need for an alternative to emergency department mental health care resonated with Kelsey Stavseth, NKHS Executive Director. NKHS and the Barretts gathered support from Northeast Kingdom community members, healthcare facilities, law enforcement agencies, community healthcare partners, legislators, and the governor’s office to bring The Front Porch to fruition.

The Front Porch aims to reshape mental health support in the NEK. Individuals experiencing a mental health crisis need access to comfortable, safe, and supportive spaces for care. Often, Vermonter’s only choice when experiencing a non-life-threatening mental health crisis is to visit their local emergency department, and law enforcement frequently becomes the community-based mental health crisis responders.  Read more by clicking Sponsor Spotlight link above.