RUTLAND—Rutland Mental Health Services is relocating its Evergreen Substance Abuse Center this fall to unoccupied space in the administration building of BROC Community Action in Southwestern Vermont, adjacent to downtown Rutland on 45 Union St. Both organizations say the move, in addition to providing Evergreen with more space for programming and expansion, creates opportunities to offer clients convenient access to the many community support services that each organization offers.
“Evergreen Center and BROC serve many people who need comprehensive social and economic services to aid in their recovery and lead successful lives,” said Dick Courcelle, RMHS CEO. “By co-locating our substance abuse program with an agency like BROC Community Action that provides services to help people become and remain self-sufficient, we can offer our clients easier and greater access to a broad array of support services.”
A program of RMHS, Evergreen Center has been operating out of its Granger Street location for 15 years and, according to Courcelle, has simply outgrown its space. “The Granger Street location is ideal, but with expanded services like a new women’s program this fall and plans for the addition of medication-assisted treatment in 2018, there is not enough room there. At BROC, we are building out almost 4,000 square feet for programming. We will also share meeting rooms and reception space with BROC, which makes for even more operating space,” said Courcelle.
RMHS is also moving its adult outpatient program to BROC from its current location on Court Square. Both programs are expected to open at the new location by October. Giancola Construction is performing the renovations for RMHS.
According to BROC CEO Tom Donahue, the move of Evergreen Center into their building will be beneficial to the services provided by his organization too. “The synergies between the work of the two organizations will greatly enhance our services to clients and to the greater Rutland community,” said Donahue.
Evergreen Substance Abuse Center provides alcohol and drug assessments for adults. It includes an intensive outpatient program, Project Rocking Horse, impaired driving program, and drug court program, in addition to other services. This fall, Evergreen will offer a new program for women with substance abuse problems who are in danger of losing custody of their children or are working towards reunification. The program will be designed to support this population in such a way that they will have the skills necessary to provide a nurturing, safe and healthy environment for their family.
RMHS is also planning to start a medication-assisted treatment program in early 2018 for individuals with an opioid dependence, along with offering counseling and psychosocial supports.
