Extending Provider Reach: Enhancing Access to Mental Health and Addiction Services for Rural Vermonters of All Ages

United Counseling Service (UCS)-Bennington, designated as a Center of Excellence by Vermont Care Partners, serves the far southwestern corner of Vermont, a rural area where the need for substance use disorder and mental health treatment far outweighs availability.

Key Findings.

  • High Usage: 83% of enrolled clients are actively using the Connections app.*
  • Strong Engagement: Clients have generated 2,302 messages and posts, resulting in 4,662 community interactions to date.
  • Long-Term Commitment: UCS clients typically use the app for an impressive average of 135 days.

*Research indicates that engagement in the app correlates with better program adherence and completion rates.

Staff members were watching some troubling trends—an increase in the volume of street drugs trafficked in the area, clients with more severe conditions and co-occurring disorders, and a high mortality rate. These concerns were hitting adults and younger people equally, further straining the few available resources for treatment in the area. 

Members of UCS Bennington’s team researched options to address the gaps in treatment and help clients get immediate support in risky moments without adding to the burden of existing staff. In January 2023, UCS Bennington used general block grant funding and went live with CHESS Health’s eRecovery solution, which includes the Connections smartphone app, to aid clients in achieving and maintaining recovery. The results with the adult population have been so positive that UCS Bennington is about to launch similar tools for its youth clients. Learn more about the impressive results in this case study. 

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