2010/2011

reportannual

UCSunited counseling service

UCSLast year was a gratifying year for UCS. We received a nearly perfect score on our reaccreditation survey — a rare distinction among community mental health centers across the country. Such recognition validates the effort and commitment of our excellent staff. We’ve been doing this kind of thing for well over 50 years now and we do it as members of a broader community that sustains us every day.

Recognition is great, but the real reason we do what we do is people — helping people to achieve things they never thought they could, helping them break free from limitations, and helping them live full and independent lives. In this report, we have highlighted some of the year’s milestones that convey the vitality and success of our work in the community.

While our work continues to provide the basis for better community health and human achievement, funding sources continue to dwindle. We experienced the fourth straight year of state budget cuts. This reality of shrinking government support increases the importance of fund-raising and charitable giving to the well being and future of our programs. Accordingly we highlight in this report the community members who have donated generously to help their neighbors. Thank you to our supporters and staff. It all happens because of you!

United Counseling Service

Gerrit KouwenhovenBoard President

Ralph ProvenzaExecutive Director

United Counseling Service100 Ledge Hill Drive

PO Box 588Bennington, Vermont 05201

www.ucsvt.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORS:Gerrit W. Kouwenhoven, PresidentGlenn Comar, Vice PresidentRoberta Lynch Carroll, SecretaryRobert Thompson, TreasurerAngela Arbolino William BaldwinDavid Ballou Joanna MintzerJim Mirenda Genevieve StrohmaierJoe O’Dea, Counsel to the Board

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Top administrators from across the country came to evaluate UCS for reaccreditation. They examined hundreds of documents, talked to scores of clients and community members, and graded UCS against a set of 1,800 requirements, giving UCS a virtually perfect score and moving us into select ranks among the best providers in the nation.

2010/2011For years, Northshire UCS has been busting at the seams. This year, an expansion project added 3 new offices and some elbow room.

Before and after pictures usually promise miraculous change. For the conversion of records at UCS from paper to electronic files, the change was much more than skin deep. Fully implemented now, the

system provides clinicians with comprehensive information on a client or family so staff can provide better treatment.

T his year UCS is playing a larger role in Vermont’s Medical Home Project, serving nearly 100 per-

cent more community doctors’ offices across Bennington County. The project links mental health care more closely to medical care to improve outcomes. Dr. Doris Russell (l) provides counseling for patients at Dr. Avery Wood’s practice in North Bennington.

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In a new UCS program to reduce recidivism, the Corrections Dept. identifies candidates, our partner BROC helps with housing, and UCS provides support to coordinate a successful reentry, including substance abuse support. While most offenders prefer being with family and working in the community, lack of support can make reentry very challenging. This innovative program is helping people live and work in the community. For Peter Guilbeault, success means building his relationships with his partner and her daughter Ashton (r).

Celebrating 45 years of service to Bennington County with a banner year, Head Start was

awarded re-accreditation for virtu-ally perfect performance by national (NAEYC) and state (STARS) review-ers. NSK Steering Systems America teamed with Head Start for the 10th annual soccer clinic, which introduc-es children to the beautiful game.

Teens for Change, a high-energy group supported by UCS, organized several popular substance free events during the year. Many area businesses supported the group with prizes and gifts; and at the end of the year, group members cleaned shop windows along Bennington’s Main Street to thank the businesses. “We want to give back,” said Katrina Hollis, a UCS youth outreach worker who was recognized by the state for excellence and leadership.

With summer comes our very own Camp Ondawa and the excitement of friends, fun, and camping in the great outdoors. This camp is made possible for people with developmental disabilities by local fundraising. Campers arrive eagerly and soon the camp overflows with games, bonfires, camp songs, crafts, and delicious camp meals.

united counseling service

At the Big Brothers Big Sisters annual Bowl For Kids’ Sake fundraiser

in March Roger Bruno was recognized as Big Brother of the Year for being a lunchtime mentor at Fisher Elementary in Arlington and also a Big Brother to Jeremiah Bice (l) and Mike and Ben Jones from Manchester. Get ready for the 25th annual Bowl For Kids’ Sake in spring 2012!

For its fifth annual clinical conference, UCS featured a path breaking workshop on Spirituality in Clinical Practice. Harvard Medical School professor Dr. John Peteet discussed how to approach a client’s spirituality and use it for therapeutic benefit.

Board President Gerrit Kouwenhoven presents the 2011 Cleveland and Phyllis Dodge Award to Lisa Michaud

of SnoBusters for providing action packed snowmobiling for clients with developmen-tal disabilities every winter for more than 20

years. Annick Billert accepted the War-ner Award for the Bank of Benning-ton, recognizing the unwavering support the bank provides to Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Keeping up with the explosion of new media, UCS is now in short videos on YouTube. Or you can follow UCS on Twitter, comment on our inspirational blogs, and Like us on Facebook. Be sure to check out our web site too, www.ucsvt.org and keep up with “What’s New”. In months ahead, you’ll see an email newsletter (with inspiring news) and more video features on our web site.

united counseling service

After touring with Justin Bieber, the band Burnham per-formed for UCS clients and staff at the Moose Lodge. The now famous band from Arlington (you probably knew them when!) consists of brothers Alex, Andre and Forrest Burnham. They played, gave out hugs, took questions, and posed one-by-one with fans; here with Tammra Coulter.

Cyclists raced through Four Corners in Bennington during the criterium stage of the Bennington Race Week-end on April 30. Race Director Jim Marshall and the Bennington Cycle Club donated planning, time and energy. As one rider said, “Easily the hardest two days on bike I’ve ever had.” All proceeds benefited UCS programs for children and families.

Hand cyclists led the pack of 370 runners at the Shires of Vermont Marathon, to

celebrate the 250th anniversary of Bennington County shires and benefit UCS programs for children and families. Runners embraced the race, organized by Race Director Dave Durfee and the Batten Kill Valley Runners, and sponsored by Southwestern Vermont Health Care, The Vermont Country Store, Finn and Stone, and the Vermont Tourism Office, with massage by Green Mountain Oasis.

united counseling service

Ethan AllenAnonymous

CatamountFrederick and Judith BuechnerAnonymous – Fund of the Vermont Community FoundationAnonymous in honor of Management and StaffFrederick and Constance West

Green MountainMichael and Diana BickfordNicholas and Dorothy DanforthFinn & Stone, Inc.Kent and Anne GatlingArthur and Pamela Gilbert, Jr.Catherine HickeyRobert and Cora May HowePeter King and Dawn Dayton KingAnonymousAnonymousSandra L. Read and Paul ParkerAnonymousWestron Communications, Inc.Mr. Langdon Wheeler and Katherine Metcalfe

TaconicAnonymousWilliam and Ruth BotzowRoger BrownCharles and Jane Childs Jr.Austin and Gillian ChinnAnonymousRichard and Martha HeilemannBill and Jan KettererWalker and Dricka Kimball, Jr.Edward and Linda LanoueJames and Pat Lee, Jr.Deirdre A. Lynch

Manchester Lions ClubMerck Partnership for GivingRobert L. Newman FoundationRoss and Alice Sandler in honor of Joanna Mintzer, Donald Ferrell, and Robert PiniNancy Scattergood and Peter Reed DonavanTheodore and Norma Thomas, Jr.United Church Dorset/East Rupert Women’s FellowshipTown of WinhallRudolph and Margaret WeaverWhitman’s Feed StoreYour Belly’s Deli

EquinoxAbacus Automation in memory of April SnowMarcia AhlborgDavid and Tabbie AldrichAnonymousGeorgia P. AshforthAspen MotelHelmut and Alma AugensteinBank of America Matching GiftsAlan BinnickRichard BlackRoger and Julia Bolton in honor of Nicholas DanforthBruce and Patricia BourhillMichael and Cathy BradyJane BurdittJane BurkhardtAnonymousMargaret CardnerJohn and Debbie CaveKen and Lila CestoneWilliam and Sheila ChildsJerry and Colette Cifor

Thanks

Ralph Colin, Jr.Marlyn CoutureSteven and Janie DearDee’s Electrical Service, Inc.Jeremy and Claudia DoleDonald and Patricia DorrFraternal Order of Eagles, Battenkill Aerie 2551David EdwardsDick and Janet FabriciusDonald Ferrell in honor of Joanna MintzerRichard and Virginia FreemanFrost Wells & PumpsBarbara GeerAnonymousJonathan and Eileen GrantH. Greenberg & Son, Inc.Scott HamnerHand MotorsHanson-Walbridge Funeral HomeDavid and Diane Hetherington

to the following individuals and businesses who contributed to the UCS Annual Giving Program. Your support enabled UCS to provide 141 people or families with 469 hours of treatment, including individual, group, and psychiatric care.

Nearly one in ten people who needed outpatient treatment were served because of your generous gifts to the Annual Giving Program.

For every one of these people, treatment offered a fresh start that enabled extraordinary change and the opportunity to shine once more — whether for those broken down by family loss; for people who needed help to stand on their own two feet; or for adults working to shake life’s traumas and move ahead.

Ethan AllenCatamountGreen MountainTaconicEquinoxWalloomsacBatten Kill

$5,000 and above1,000 to 4,999

500 to 999200 to 499100 to 199

50 to 991 to 49

ATwOOD SOCIETy LEvELS OF GIvInG:

All UCS board members contribute to the Annual Giving Program. They are listed as “Anonymous.”

Stuart and Colleen HoskinsElex and Nancy JohnsonLonergan & Thomas, Inc.Lovejoy Chaplet CorporationFred and Maureen LoyMary Jane Lydenberg in honor of Gerrit KouwenhovenTed and Adele MaddocksMyles MahoneyManchester Discount BeverageBarbara MasleyMichael and Susan McKennaAnonymousWesley and Anne MookWilliam and Ofelia MorganCinda MorseMSK Engineering and Design, Inc.Bruce and Nancy NashEric and Jane NathanPhilip and Frances O’NeillJeanne S. OverstreetPalmer HouseElsie ParisPension Works, Inc.Daniel and Judy PerreaultClaudia PetersBob and Helen PezzulichRobert Pini and Miroslava Prazak in honor of Laurae CoburnElizabeth PostRobert and Marion Powelson in memory of Edward PowelsonRalph and Mary ProvenzaRudolph and Joy RasinWilbur and Suzanne RiceLee and Susan RomanoJane SchafferJoshua ShermanDavid and Amelia Silver in honor of Kenneth SilverMargot Starr KernanThomas and Nancy SteffenCarol StroffolenoHerbert Swain, Jr.TaconicUnited Way of Bennington CountyJeffrey and Jacquelyne WilsonLambert Zoller, Jr.

walloomsacHerbert and Winifred AboffDavid and Judith AdamsJames and Sally AndersonLynne Andreen and David Lyon in honor of Peg GregoryAnonymousBernard and Celia Bandman in honor of Anne GatlingBernard BellemareBennington Center for the ArtsBennington Elks Lodge #567Derek and Catherine Boothby

Ben and Jeanne BrumaghimGail BuslGeoffry and Pamela CampeAnonymous in honor of Elizabeth KearnsJean and Gene CeglowskiCharles and Kathryn ChamberlainPhilip and Linda ChapmanMarshall and Melanie ClarkThe Clip ShopJames and Lodie ColvinMary ConditStephen and Joan CornellBrian and Jan CunninghamGerard Curran and Bonnie Bell-CurranTheresa DeMasiMargaret DonovanDonald and Patricia DorrE. P. Mahar & Son Funeral HomeJohn and Mary English, Jr.Frank C. FamianoRobert and Cornelia Ferguson in honor of Peg GregoryFirst Baptist Church Mary & Martha FellowshipOakley FrostKaren GanzAudrey J. GiumarraGSK Climate Control, Inc.AnonymousBruce Hallett in memory of Connie HallettHoward and Barbara HalliganJohn and Bonnie Halpin in memory of Brian LakeMeredith B. Handspicker and Deborah PerkinsRobert HartwellHuc and Pat HauserHawkins HousePaul and Shelly HendlerHugh JohnsonGeorge S. JonesMary JonesWilliam L. King, Jr.Neil LandresAlan and Terry LindseyAnonymousGeorge and Linda LongAnonymousAlexander and Marilyn MaharJohn MalcolmEllen H. MaloneyManchester Adoniram Lodge #42Mary McGuinnessPeter and Lisa McGuireJohn and Christine McMahonWilliam McWayneAnonymous in honor of Alice SandlerAnonymous

Bradley MyersonMuriel PalmerAdrian and Judith Paris in memory of Archie WarnerEmmely ParksJoseph and Emmely ParksPeter and Taimi PassaroAndrew and Marguerite PutneyQuadra-Tekr. k. Miles, Inc.Patrick and Winifred RaffaeleMark and Mary RogersArthur and Susan RueggerAnthony and Claudia SchwartzSonny’s Blue Benn DinerSpice N’ NiceAnonymousKatherine StoneDorothy Ann SweeneyAnonymousRobert and Marilyn Verhaeghe in memory of Wendy and LauraVermont Roofing Company, Inc.Liz Warner and Graham MooreRobert Waite and Diane WelebitAnonymousJohn and Deborah Williams IIWitten, Woolmington, Campbell, Boepple PCAnonymousRobert and Nancy Zapletal

Batten KillJohn and Karen AhearnRobert and Gloria AlexanderRita AllardLeonard AnzivinoArt Carlucci & Son, Inc.Richard and Charlotte BartholomaeLois Miller BeardwoodElizabeth BenedictJohn and Patricia BennettPhyllis BinkleyRaymond and Rachella BoltonLeesa BradleyBrewster AntiquesBrickstone DesignHarry and Nancy Briggs, Sr.Katherine BryanRhonda BurdickHenry and Pamela ChandlerPhebe Ann Clarke LewisPaul and Dorothy CraneCTC Photo Factory/ VT Color Photo LabsWilliam and Louise DalyAbbott and Kathleen De RhamStanley and Helene DelTufoDML CorporationMichael T. DowneyAnonymousThelma Dundon

thanks

Shires of vermont MarathonSemiquincentennial (250th Anniversary) Southwestern Vermont Health CareVermont Country Store

Shire to Shire Vermont State Department of Tourism

water Stop Finn & Stone InsuranceJudy K. Orton, M.D./ Green Mountain Pediatrics

Mile MarkerJensen’s Family RestaurantManchester Bar and Grill

Preferred Business PartnersBrittany MotelChalet MotelManchester Fine View LodgingWilburton Inn

In-Kind SponsorsBattenkill Pottery Bennington Center for the Arts

Dot Four Design Hildene Rain or Shine Tents

Big Brothers Big Sisters wii Bowling Championship of Southern vermontPartnersAmeriprideBurr & Burton AcademyBurr & Burton Academy Booster ClubBurr & Burton Academy National Honor SocietyJimmy WoodardManchester Elementary Middle School PNGRent-A-Centerr.k. MilesTurcotte DesignsWalmartUnited Way of Bennington County

SupportersBagel WorksBank of BenningtonBattenkill CanoeBerkshire Bank

Bromley MountainEastern Mountain SportsGamers GrottoHildeneHound DogMother MyricksMrs. Murphy’s DonutsPhotographers EyePizza HouseReal SportsRiley RinkSherries CafeSouthern Vermont Computer SpecialistsStewartsSushi Boat

Bennington Race weekendFinn & Stone InsuranceKevin’s RestaurantClif BarVerge SportCarmody’s Four Chimneys InnJay’s Art Shop and Frame GalleryMadison Brewery CoManchester Bar and Grill

supporTing EvEnT sponsors:

Fred and Noreen DunnPatricia J. DupreeDenise Durant and Merrick HardLouise M. FarbmacherMary FeidnerMary GeannelisWalter GilbertGlenn Sherman and Sons, Inc.Louis and Marie GuarinielloJune GutbierAnonymousDorothy HalvorsenDean and Janet HansonFrederick HarveyJoseph and Catharina Hegedus, Jr.AnonymousFrederic and Estelle HothBarbara HowlandNelson and Keiron JesupRoger D. JonesRaschid JoyceHerbert and Lili KalishJohn and Priscilla Kennedy, Jr.Douglas and Marny Krause

Janet KutayByrd and Fay LapradeCharlotte Lefevre AnonymousMarjorie MaasDolores MahlmannManchester TaxiMarbledge Motor InnShirley McTernanRobert and Jeanne McWatersCurtis MerrowAnonymousMonument Electric Co., Inc.John and Jean MorrisseyMichael and Eleanor MurnoPaul E. MyersAnonymousBrenda Nicholson and Louis FagnantKenneth and June NicholsonNancy M. NorrisDouglas O’DowdGeoffrey PigmanCharles and Muriel PufahlCraig and Dale Raisig

Harry and Margaret ReisAnonymousAnonymousRichard and Beverly Sears, Jr.Julian and Phoebe SheresJane SobelJohn and Madeleine SobelEdward and Marie SossiAnonymousMarjorie SwiftClaire ThompsonRobert and Sally TreatNathaniel and Helen Tyler IIIAnonymousPhyllis WarrenSuzanne WatsonAnonymousOtto WeilBruce Wheat and Jeanne DavisWhite Flowers AssociatesEarla WilliamsJames and Lauri WrightJohn and Kathleen Wright

thanks

Title SponsorThe Bank of Bennington

Grand Prize SponsorGlobal Link Travel

Special RecognitionCatamount GlassDeb GirouxJC’s TavernPlasan North AmericaTurcotte DesignsUnited Way of Bennington County

Top FundraisersGrand Prize Winner: Kenny Bulson and the Southern Vermont Medical Center Radiology DepartmentDarlene Lockwood Peg Gregory Christine SpearsTheresa ConklinRobin Bowen Shawnee Webster Ryan SweetJohn CrossScott Malinowski

Top Pledging TeamsVermont Composites, Inc.Plasan North AmericaThe Bank of BenningtonSouthern Vermont Medical Center Radiology DepartmentCambridge CrushersUnited Counseling Service Daycare Knights of ColumbusHemmings Motor NewsHannaford SupermarketSouthwestern Vermont Supervisory Union

Presenting SponsorCarbone Auto Group

Kids PatronsComcastRon Harrington II RemodelingTD Bank

Littles SupportersHemmings Motor NewsNSK Steering Systems America, Inc.

Media SponsorsBennington BannerWEQXWBTN

Program PartnersBennington CollegeBennington ElementaryDorset ElementaryFisher Elementary Manchester Elementary Middle SchoolMolly Stark ElementaryMonument ElementaryNorth Bennington Graded SchoolSouthern Vermont CollegeSunderland Elementary

Lane SponsorsApollo FuelsBarr, Sternberg, Moss, Lawrence & Silver, P.C.Bennington Area Chamber of CommerceBennington CardiologyBerkshire BankBriggs FowlerCasella Waste ManagementCentral Vermont Public ServiceE-Enable, Inc.Elks Lodge #567EnergizerFinn & Stone Insurance Agents and BrokersFour Chimneys InnGSK Climate Control, Inc.Hannaford SupermarketsJacobs, McClintock, L.P.C.Kelly FuelsLocton Benefit GroupMcGill AirflowManchester Lions ClubMary A. MorrisseyMerchants BankMiles FuelsMoulton's Spectacle ShoppeNational Hanger CompanyNew Directions Management ServicePaul J. Martin, Inc.People's United Bank r.k. Miles, Inc.RBC Dain RauscherRobert J. Greene, Inc.Season's RestaurantSonny's Blue Benn DinerState Farm InsuranceSynergy Gas T&M EnterprisesThe PharmacyTrustCo Savings BankVermont Composites, Inc.

Vermont RoofingWinburn Law Offices

Program Supporters 4 ImprintAdvanced AnsweringAmerican GirlApplejack Art PartnersBayside Resort HotelBennington Car WashBennington House of Carpet and TileBoston BruinsBoston CelticsBoston Red SoxBrenda MattisonChandler 4 CornersDesperado’sDorset Theatre FestivalEarth & Sea Fish MarketFraternal Order of Eagles #1861George Glanzberg, DVMGreat Escape Water ParkGreen Mountain ClubGreen Mountain CoffeeJ. K. AdamsKevin’s Sports Pub and RestaurantKimberly FarmsKmartKnapp’s Pets, Hobbies & MusicManchester Country ClubManchester Hot GlassMcWayne JewelersMt. Anthony Country ClubPanachePat HayesPublyk HouseQuadra TekRita BulsonSaratoga Performing Arts CenterSeventh GenerationSouthside CafeSperber Tool WorksSpice ‘N Nice The Arlington InnThe Clip ShopThe Equinox Resort and SpaTimes Union CenterTractor SupplyVermont SnowflakesVermont Teddy Bear CompanyVisions Hair SalonWassick Tire ServiceWest Mountain Animal HospitalWest Mountain InnYour Belly’s Deli

Big Brothers Big sisters Bowl For kids’ sake

sponsors

By Age under 6 196 6%6-17 765 24%18-24 511 16%25-59 1439 45%60+ 297 9%Total 3208 100%

Budgeted Income Medicaid $10,731,178 Fees & 3rd Party Payments $572,527Vt. Alcohol & Drug Abuse Division $720,033 Vt. Department of Mental Health $581,054 Vt. Department of Developmental Services $68,635 Other State Contracts $578,985Local Revenue $664,324 Miscellaneous $267,319 Total Revenue $14,184,055

Budgeted ExpensesSalaries $7,142,581Fringe Benefits $1,743,537 Other Personnel Costs $2,729,509Operating Expenses $1,372,083 Travel & Transportation $284,535 Building Expenses $911,810 Total Expenses $14,184,055

Source of Funds UCS Generated Medicaid 77%Local Revenues 5%Department of Mental Health 4%UCS Other Fees 4%Other State Grants 4%Alcohol/Drug Abuse Division 5%Department of Developmental Services 1%Total 100%

By ProgramEmergency Services 167 5%Developmental Services 209 7%Community Rehabilitation and Treatment 155 5%Substance Abuse 502 16%Children’s Outpatient Clinics 622 19%Adult Outpatient Clinics 1112 35%Head Start 377 12% (Head Start Children 123) Big Brothers Big Sisters 64 2%Totals 3208 100%

By TownArlington 111 3%Bennington 1580 49%Dorset 77 2%Manchester 360 11%North Bennington 216 7%Pownal 292 9%Shaftsbury 162 5%Other VT 274 9%NY 111 3%Other States 25 1%Totals 3208 100%

Who WE sErvE

Use of Funds by ProgramDevelopmentalServices 47%

Children’s Outpatient Clinics 15%Community Rehabilitation & Treatment 19%

Adult Outpatient Clinics 8%

Substance Abuse 6%

Community Programs 3%Emergency 2%

FINANCIAL REPORT 2010/2011

uniTEd ChildrEn’s sErviCEs hEad sTarT program

RevenueUS Department of Health & Human Services $896,912Local Revenue $4,800Total Revenue $901,712

ExpensesSalaries $527,106Fringe Benefits $131,542Other Personnel Costs $57,948Operating Expenses $88,291Travel & Transportation $16,532Building Expenses $80,293Total Expenses $901,712

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UCSunited counseling service

When making financial plans, please consider making a bequest to UCS to ensure a healthy community for the future. For information visit www.ucsvt.org/give_planned.php.

United Counseling Servicewww.ucsvt.org802-442-5491

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design: Melanie Virgilio photography: Peter Crabtree/Bennington Banner, p.6, top; Beverly O’Brien, p.7 top; Paul Hersey, back cover printing: donated in part by Inkspot Press