Community Matters

March 2023

UCS announces agency-wide

wage increase

United Counseling Service of Bennington County (UCS) recently completed a multi-year wage compensation project that has culminated in an increase in compensation for most of the agency’s staff. In 2022, UCS, along with other Designated Agencies across the state, received an 8% boost to their funding. UCS gave a 3% increase to staff and used some of that capital to offset employee insurance and other administrative cost increases, but held most of the new funds in anticipation of implementing its compensation plan.

“The work we do is so essential to our community and the need for our services continues to grow,” said UCS Executive Director Lorna Mattern. “It’s been a hard reality that staff, despite loving their work at UCS, end up leaving for higher paying jobs. We know that creating and implementing a competitive wage structure is critical to both attract and retain great staff.”

UCS invested more than $1.5 million to advance its goal of a more competitive salary structure. 90% of the positions within the agency experienced an increase; for example, Residential Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) starting rate increased 25%, from $16 per hour to nearly $20 per hour. “This market adjustment is just an initial step toward achieving fair and equitable pay for our staff,” said Mattern.

In addition to its commitment to better pay, UCS is already known for promoting a culture of wellness, with numerous staff supports in place. “We want to be the place everyone wants to work.” Bob Thompson, president of UCS’ board of directors, concurs, “Staff compensation and retention have been on our radar for some time. We are proud of our employees, and I know many will see major benefits in their own lives as a result of the new salary structure. It’s one more way we can help strengthen the community we all serve.”

To learn more about careers at UCS visit ucsvt.org/careers.

Pictured: Lorna Mattern, Executive Director of UCS

UCS welcomes community to film screening and talk by local recovery advocate Benjamin Lerner

United Counseling Service (UCS) welcomed the public to a free film screening of “Untreated and Unheard: The Addiction Crisis in America” at Mission City Church on February 16 as part of its UCS Presents film series. Untreated and Unheard is a documentary film by the Partnership to End Addiction that shares the stories of several families affected by the ongoing substance use crisis.

Benjamin Lerner, Vermont-based composer, writer, radio host, and recovery advocate, joined UCS as a guest speaker after the film. UCS Assistant Director of Substance Use Disorder Services, Alex Figueroa, led a question and answer session with Lerner, who shared his story of recovery with the audience. Lerner thanked UCS for hosting the event and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to use his story to raise awareness about the complexities of substance use disorder and how to help friends and loved ones suffering with this illness. “What a great event,” says Figueroa. “Benjamin Lerner is such an inspiration and an amazing Recovery Advocate. Listening to his own struggle and recovery journey is a clear demonstration of what hope can look like. Our goal for this event was to showcase just that. Community, connection, recovery and hope is possible!”

UCS looks forward to bringing people together for more opportunities to share stories and discuss issues that affect the community. Upcoming UCS events include the Bennington Youth Summit on March 25 at Second Congregational Church, and an evening of classical music by the Me2/ Orchestra on May 13 at Southern Vermont Arts Center. Please visit ucsvt.org/events to learn more about UCS events.

Pictured: Benjamin Lerner and Alex Figueroa

UCS Events

Helping others to achieve their goals

Taking the leap:

Stephanie Pinsonneault came to United Counseling Service (UCS) almost six and a half years ago from a background in retail, having worked in a small shop in Bennington and outlet stores in Manchester, VT. One of Stephanie’s family members had always recommended a career in developmental services, so years later, she decided it was time to take the leap.

“I wanted to try something different,” says Stephanie. “I was looking for a more structured schedule with weekends free, because I have a son.”

Now, Stephanie spends her workweek helping clients served by UCS’ Developmental Services division achieve their employment and life goals, while making sure they can access important community connections. She provides support to people working at local businesses, like the outlet shops in Manchester, VT, grocery stores, and hospitality establishments, including the Equinox Inn and Spa. “I have a lot of fun!” says Stephanie of her role at UCS. “I work mostly in our Employment Connections program in the Manchester community. We work with really good employers who are supportive of our clients. There have been even more open-minded managers recently who see the benefit of helping our folks work and achieve their goals, which is our goal too.”

As a direct support professional (DSP), Stephanie also helps clients prepare for and experience events like Night to Shine, a fun prom night for people with developmental disabilities ages 14 and older, and the UCS Holiday Craft Fair, an annual event that gives clients the opportunity to showcase and sell their work alongside other artists in the community. Events like these play a significant role in helping clients become engaged community members and stay engaged as they build relationships with others...Read more.

Pictured: Stephanie Pinsonneault, Direct Support Professional

Head Start® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

Bennington County Head Start and Early Head Start experienced a late-night fire on December 21 at their Head Start West building, located at Park and West Street in North Bennington, VT. The West location provides Full-Day Preschool and Head Start/Early Head Start programs for children in Bennington County.

The fire department was fast to respond and put the fire out quickly. “We continue to be humbled and appreciative of the outpouring of support from the local early childhood community,” says Beth Wallace, Assistant Director of Bennington County Head Start/Early Head Start. “We are also grateful to the seven fire departments who responded the night of the fire.”

The organization is working to clean the site and the many salvageable materials and expects this will be a two-to-four-month process. The plan is to reopen the center in June. “We are very lucky to be a large program with other locations and spaces to accommodate the children and staff displaced by the West fire,” says Wallace.

The center has made room in its other facilities to accommodate the kids. Bennington Recreation Center-Berkshire YMCA offered a half-day program to students and families for the first two weeks of January while new classroom locations were established.

“We are pleased that with support and flexibility from our community, our staff and our families, we are able to serve all children who were displaced," said Wallace.

Our early childhood education programs offer services designed to meet each child's and family's specific needs in a safe setting. We prepare children and their families for school through collaborative approaches to high quality education, health and social services. We have locations in Bennington, North Bennington, Manchester and Pownal.

Learn more about Head Start

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joining our team at UCS!

Every position at UCS contributes to building a stronger community by empowering individuals and families to live healthy and meaningful lives. Make an important difference while earning a living!

Current Career Opportunities

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The demand for our services is ever-increasing. We look forward to meeting the coming year’s challenges by continuing to create innovative programming and realizing the rewards of our hard work—but we can’t do it alone. As we move forward, the relationships we foster allow us to continue building a stronger community. And fundraising is a part of the equation. Our goal is to raise $100,000—please consider contributing today. Your support in any amount makes a difference to so many.

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