VT Prevention Lead Organization Announces Third-Year Grant Awardees for Addison and Rutland Counties
RUTLAND, VT - Rutland Regional Medical Center (RRMC) is the Region 2 Vermont Prevention Lead Organization (VPLO) and is pleased to announce the selection of the third-year grant awardees for VPLO funding. The Region 2 service area includes Addison and Rutland Counties.
These sub-grants will enhance and expand prevention efforts throughout the region, in all substances and populations, from July 2025 to June 2026. Awardees are as follows:
Atria Collective
Funded programming will include trauma-informed workshops, peer support programs, and youth leadership opportunities in the schools and the greater community with a focus on healthy relationships, coping strategies, trusted adults, and preventing substance use.
Come Alive Outside (CAO)
CAO will be enhancing their teen intern program to design and lead prevention activities for inclusive third space events that serve youth ages 11-17.
Community Health Centers of the Rutland Region
Community Health will be supporting individuals with a history of trauma through weekly peer support groups using education and evidence-based services to prevent substance use or achieve and sustain recovery.
Easter Seals Vermont
Through their Balanced and Restorative Justice (BARJ) program, they aim to prevent risks associated with substance use using an in-school curriculum, motivational interviewing, and an evidence-based tool to tailor plans, connections, and referrals between schools, families, and local health organizations.
Kingdom County Productions (KCP)
KCP will be facilitating a series of Writers for Recovery workshops across Region 2 in collaboration with the Turning Point Center of Addison County, Turning Point Center of Rutland County, Godnick Center, and Rutland County Pride.
Mountain Community Health
Through their primary care center, they will be implementing patient-centered SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referrals to Treatment) to identify risks and reduce substance use.
Rutland County Pride (RCP)
RCP will be offering safe, affirming, and substance free spaces for the LGBTQIA2S+ community by hosting weekly All-Recovery groups, collaborating with Writers for Recovery, and facilitating peer support groups.
The DREAM Program
Across Region 2, The DREAM program will expand a two-tiered, school-based mentoring program. Staff and AmeriCorps members will train high school students to mentor elementary school students which in turn will build strong, supportive relationships, and foster leadership, resilience, and emotional well-being.
Turning Point Center of Addison County (TPCAC)
TPCAC will be providing community outreach and education throughout the county through their mobile peer recovery coaching, teen outreach, and recovery support services for all ages and at-risk populations.
Unleashing the Power of Partnership for Learning (UP for Learning)
UP for Learning will be providing support to middle and high school teams engaged in the evidenced based program, Getting to ‘Y’ across Region 2.
Vermont State University’s Center for Social Justice and Trauma Responsive Care
The Center will be providing various trauma responsive trainings across Region 2 and annual wellness conferences for helping professionals and first responders. These offerings include tools and resources needed to address vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, supporting survivors, structural inequality, self-care, and more.
As the Region 2 VPLO, Rutland Regional Medical Center is supporting substance use prevention activities by allocating funds to community partners located in Addison and Rutland Counties. RRMC and its dedicated partners are committed to enhancing and expanding the ongoing efforts to address substance use among all ages while addressing barriers and gaps in services.
The VPLO is managed and coordinated by Sara Stearns, BSW, at Rutland Regional Medical Center.
