Vermont Business Magazine Over 400 mental health and substance use practitioners, educators, and interested members of the public recently attended Howard Center’s day-long conference and sponsor exhibition at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Burlington on June 3 to listen to international speakers Charles Blow, Nadia Bolz-Weber, Johann Hari, Sandy Steingard, and Andrew Solomon discuss “Overcoming Adversity: Bold Perspectives on Mental Health and Addiction.”
Speakers addressed the conference themes of confronting stigma, improving access, continuing advocacy, advancing policy, and giving voice at Howard Center’s third annual event. All spoke about the importance of connection.
Gold-level sponsors Aspenti Health, BlueCross BlueShield of Vermont, Carter, Inc., the Vermont Department of Health (ADAP) and the University of Vermont Medical Center. Bronze-level sponsors included Credible, Dominion Diagnostics, and New England ATTC. Additional support was provided the Battleboro Retreat, Community Health Centers of Burlington, Discovery Mood & Anxiety Program, Invest EAP, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, Northwestern Medical Center, Northern Vermont University, OneCare Vermont, Peak Outcomes Partners, Vermont Medical Society, and VTDigger.com.
In addition to the speakers, highlights included opening statements by Vermont Attorney General TJ Donovan and Mayor Miro Weinberger. The event also included a panel discussion focused on living with addiction and mental illness and moderated by Fran Stoddard and with panelists Michael Couture, Leslie Nelson, and Liza Ryan. The ME2 Orchestra performed musical selections, and artwork by members of the Howard Center Arts Collective was on display.
Visit the Howard Center website, www.howardcenter.org, in the coming months for information about the Fall Community Educations series and the 2020 annual conference.
ABOUT HOWARD CENTER: Howard Center has a long and rich history as a trusted provider in the community. With a legacy spanning more than 150 years, we have been providing progressive, compassionate, high-quality care and supports to those in need. Today, we offer an array of mental health, substance use, and developmental services across the lifespan. As Vermont’s largest social service organization, our 1,600 staff help more than 16,000 people each year in over 60 locations throughout Vermont in collaboration with hundreds of community partners. Howard Center’s 24/7/365 crisis service, First Call for Chittenden County, is available to meet the needs of Chittenden County children, adults, and families in crisis by calling 802-488-7777. Howard Center is a funded agency of United Way of Northwest Vermont. www.howardenter.org. Help is here.
Howard Center, the recipient of the 2019 Excellence in Addictions Treatment Award from the National Council for Behavioral Health, is a regional and national leader in mental health and substance use treatment, most recently known for the creation of the hub and spoke model for opioid treatment and committed to improving access to quality care that is inclusive and available for all community members.
Source: Howard Center, Burlington.