|
Health and Human Services
Middlesex Health Officer
The Health Officer, appointed by the Selectboard, addresses public health and safety issues such as dog bites, failing septic systems, contaminated water or unhealthy living conditions, and mental health issues. Health Officers are kept up to date by attending at least one statewide workshop each year. (See Contacts)
Middlesex Town Service Officer
The Town Service Officer, appointed by the Selectboard, is charged with assisting individuals within the town who require emergency food, fuel or shelter assistance, but only when the Vermont Department of Social Welfare is closed on weekends or after hours. (In some communities, this officer also acts as an advocate for the poor.) (See Contacts)
Community Medical and Social Services
Please note: This is not a complete list. Middlesex residents can receive a variety of other support services from non-profit and state agencies. See the front pages of your phone book for more information.
Central Vermont Medical Center is a full-service hospital located in Berlin (near 1-89 Exit 7). It has an emergency room and the capability to airlift critically ill or injured patients to hospitals in Burlington or Lebanon, NH. It operates an outpatient clinic in Montpelier which offers physical therapy and other services. Its “Healthy Community” program offers over 100 different classes in nutrition, safety, parenting skills, illness prevention, quitting smoking, etc. Financial assistance may be available for courses. 130 Fisher Road, Berlin. Phone: 802-371-4100.
If you do not have medical insurance or are underinsured, and your income falls within certain guidelines, you may be eligible for services from the People’s Health and Wellness Clinic in Barre. The Clinic is open Monday and Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.; an appointment is required. Over 75 professionals—doctors, nurses, chiropractors, naturopaths, mental health counselors, and massage therapists—volunteer on a rotating basis. The clinic also offers health education workshops and one-on-one consultations. Payment is by donation. Call Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 553 N. Main Street, Barre. Phone 802-479-1229.
Other medical services, including names of physicians, etc., are listed in the your phone book’s Yellow Pages under “Physicians.”
Washington County Mental Health Services, Inc., is a comprehensive community mental health center. WCMHS is one of ten agencies Designated by Vermont Statute to assure that a comprehensive range of services are available for: adults with Mental illnesses, children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbances and people with developmental disabilities. In addition to the above, it also provides outpatient and outreach services for adults and children with less severe mental health needs. It is a private, non-profit corporation with a citizen Board of Directors, funded primarily though a contract with the State. Other funding is from local and state grants and contracts, private insurance, Green Mountain United Way support, contributions and fees based on the client’s ability to pay. The agency’s Mental Health Services are available to residents of Washington County plus the towns of Orange, Washington and Williamstown. Developmental Services are offered to Washington County residents and work in collaboration with the State and other providers to assure that the needs of all residents of Vermont are best served. Guidelines for acceptance and participation in the program are the same for everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, or religion.
The agency provides inpatient and outpatient services; individual, group and couples therapy for adults; individual, group and family therapy, as well as specialized programs, for children and young adults and their families; case management, rehabilitation and residential programs for those with long term mental illness; special programming and residential services for people with developmental disabilities; and a 24-hour emergency service.
WCMHS emphasizes accessibility by developing satellite offices, transportation services and programs in the field. Programs are flexible and specifically designed, as much as possible, to meet the needs of the individual client.
Phone 802-229-0591. Website: www.wcmhs.org
Central Vermont Home and Hospice is supported by a number of Central Vermont towns (Middlesex votes on funding at Town Meeting). Its Home Care Program includes skilled nursing services, physical therapy and psychiatric services. Its Hospice and Palliative Care Program helps terminally ill people face the end of life with the help of family, friends and clergy. Its Long Term Care Program provides assistance with daily living activities for frail, elderly, or permanently disabled people, with the goal of helping them remain safely at home. Sliding fee scale; many types of insurance are accepted. 600 Granger Road, Barre. Phone 802-223-1878.
Elder Assistance: Central Vermont Council on Aging (CVCOA), a private, non-profit agency is supported by a number of Central Vermont towns (Middlesex votes on funding at Town Meeting). It supports elders to remain independent as long as possible in their own homes and communities. Services include home-delivered meals, transportation, case management and referral, and more. They contract with the Waterbury Senior Center to provide community meals (served at noon, Monday through Friday, at the Senior Center, Stowe Street, Waterbury). Transportation for elders is provided under contract with CVTA/Wheel (See Wheels entry below). Contact CVCOA at 30 Washington Street, Barre; Phone 802-479-0531.
Senior Helpline: For information on other services, such as legal assistance, health insurance information, and referrals to other agencies: Phone 1-800-642-5119.
The Retired Senior Volunteer Project enlists the skills and talents of older Vermont citizens in assisting non-profit organizations. RSVP is supported by a number of Central Vermont towns (Middlesex votes on funding at Town Meeting).To volunteer, or for more information, Phone 802-828-4770.
The Vermont Center for Independent Living (VCIL) is a statewide program that teaches people with significant disabilities how to regain more control over their lives and how to access tools and services to live more independently. VCIL is supported by a number of Central Vermont towns (Middlesex votes on funding at Town Meeting). VCIL provides information, referrals, one-on-one counseling, communications equipment, and assistance for making homes accessible to disabled people. It also delivers meals through the Meals on Wheels Program for Individuals Under 60 with Disabilities. The main office, located at 11 East State Street, Montpelier, houses a resource library and operates a toll-free information line: Phone 1-800-639-1522. Website: www.vcil.org
The Washington County Diversion Program is a non-profit group supported by a number of Central Vermont towns (Middlesex votes on funding at Town Meeting). An alternative to court for first offenders in Washington County, Court Diversion addresses unlawful behavior, supports victims of crime, and engages the services of volunteers to confront those who have committed crimes. Offenders referred to the Program may perform community service and pay restitution. Volunteer boards hear both adult and juvenile cases. For more information, Phone 802-828-0600.
The Washington County Youth Service Bureau/Boys and Girls Club is a private, non-profit organization assisting youth and families through such programs as: The Basement Teen Center in Montpelier (supervised drop-in time and activities); crisis intervention and family counseling; and programs for runaway and homeless youth and their families. The Bureau is supported by a number of Central Vermont towns (Middlesex votes on funding at Town Meeting). The Youth Service Bureau’s phone number and 24-hour crisis hotline: Phone 802-229-9151.
 Green Mountain Transit Agency. The Chittenden County Transportation Authority operates bus services in Washington County, under the name Green Mountain Transit Agency. GMTA is central Vermont's public transit provider and is currently running multiple transit routes in the Barre-Montpelier area. For GMTA route and schedule information, Phone 866-864-0211 (toll-free) or log onto www.gmtaride.org. You can also Phone 802-223-7287 for information.
Battered Women’s Services and Shelter works with victims and survivors of domestic abuse, providing shelter at a confidential location for battered women and their children. Other services include a 24-hour hotline, legal and social services, referrals, advocacy, and support groups. They also make presentations on domestic violence to schools and community groups. BWSS serves Washington County, and is supported by a number of Central Vermont communities (Middlesex votes on funding at Town Meeting). All services are free. P.O. Box 652, Barre, VT 05641 Office phone: 802-476-6010. Hotline: 1-877-543-9498
|
