Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Advocating for Mental Health and Addiction Recovery in Vermont
Founded in 1939 by the Montpelier Ladies Garden Club, our organization has been a pioneering force in advocating for mental health as a fundamental health issue. We provide professional training and advocacy across Vermont, addressing systemic barriers in mental health and addiction recovery. Our work spans workforce development, community reentry programs, and statewide initiatives to reduce stigma. We prioritize lived experience, peer mentorship, and evidence-based practices to create inclusive support systems. Our Recovery Friendly Workplace program helps employers implement policies that support employees in recovery from substance use disorders.Through initiatives like Beyond Bars, we address reentry challenges for formerly incarcerated individuals, focusing on housing, employment, and mental health. Our training offerings cover harm reduction, trauma-responsive care, and cultural humility, with continuing education credits available. We collaborate with state agencies, community organizations, and policymakers to advance equitable mental health policies. Our team combines decades of experience in social work, public health, and nonprofit leadership to drive systemic change. We believe in holistic wellness, community connection, and celebrating diverse pathways to recovery.
Services
Professional Training
Recovery Coaching
Workplace Certification
Reentry Support
Community Advocacy
Details
- Year established: 1939
Highlights and features
- Pioneering mental health advocacy since 1939 with statewide impact
- Specialized training programs with continuing education credits available
- Peer-led recovery support systems informed by lived experience
- Comprehensive Recovery Friendly Workplace certification framework for employers
- Evidence-based reentry programs addressing systemic barriers for formerly incarcerated individuals
What people say
Transformative reentry support
Comprehensive training programs
Inclusive recovery initiatives
Policy advocacy success
Peer mentorship effectiveness
Services
Professional Training
We offer comprehensive training programs for mental health professionals and recovery coaches. Our courses cover harm reduction, trauma-responsive care, and cultural humility with continuing education credits available. Training formats include online modules through our Collective Learning Institute and in-person workshops across Vermont. Programs emphasize practical skills for supporting diverse recovery journeys while addressing systemic barriers in mental health care.
Recovery Coaching
Our peer-informed recovery coaching services utilize lived experience to support individuals navigating mental health and addiction recovery. Coaches provide personalized guidance through Vermont's recovery ecosystem, connecting clients with community resources and evidence-based practices. Services include one-on-one coaching, group sessions, and specialized support for justice-involved individuals transitioning from carceral systems to community life.
Workplace Certification
The Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW) certification helps Vermont employers create supportive environments for employees in recovery from substance use disorders. Our four-phase program includes policy development, staff training, and cultural transformation strategies. Certified workplaces gain access to ongoing support resources while contributing to a more inclusive state economy through reduced stigma and improved employee retention.
Reentry Support
Our Beyond Bars initiative strengthens reentry systems for formerly incarcerated individuals across Vermont. We collaborate with community agencies to address housing stability, employment opportunities, and mental health services. The program utilizes peer mentors with lived experience to inform policy advocacy and best practices, focusing on trauma-informed approaches that reduce recidivism and promote community integration.
Community Advocacy
We drive systemic change through evidence-based mental health policy advocacy at state and local levels. Our efforts focus on reducing stigma, expanding access to recovery services, and promoting equity in healthcare systems. Initiatives include public awareness campaigns like Your Story - Your Work, which highlights recovery journeys to shift societal perceptions and inform legislative priorities.
People
Daniel Franklin
Executive Director
With nearly two decades in health and human services leadership, Daniel previously directed Vermont Recovery Center and co-led VAMHAR/Recovery Vermont. He specializes in addiction recovery intersections with social justice issues.
Lisa Lord
Director of Operations
Lisa combines curriculum design expertise with recovery advocacy, focusing on workplace wellness and community-based healing approaches through her role in advancing VAMHAR's operational strategy.
Courtney Harrness
Director of Strategic Advancement
A Vermont native with extensive nonprofit leadership experience, Courtney previously led national philanthropy efforts at Herren Project, focusing on recovery support systems and community resilience building.
Martina Anderson
Director of Communications
Martina advocates for marginalized communities through storytelling and communications strategy, creating platforms for underrepresented voices in mental health and recovery dialogues.
Will Roberts
Director of Training
With 30+ years in training design, Will develops educational programs on mental health and recovery topics, leveraging adult learning theory to create impactful professional development experiences.
Questions
What is a Recovery Friendly Workplace?
An employer that implements policies supporting employees in recovery from substance use disorders through training, policy changes, and inclusive culture.
How can businesses become certified?
Complete our four-phase process: inquiry, implementation, certification, and renewal with policy updates and staff training requirements.
Do you offer training for professionals?
Yes, our Collective Learning Institute provides CEU-eligible courses on topics like trauma-responsive care, harm reduction, and recovery coaching ethics.
What reentry support services exist?
Beyond Bars program connects formerly incarcerated individuals with housing, employment, and mental health resources through peer mentorship networks.
How is lived experience integrated?
Peer mentors with recovery experience shape our programs, policy advocacy, and training curriculum to ensure authentic, practical support systems.
What community initiatives exist?
Your Story - Your Work campaign highlights recovery journeys, while Recovery Day celebrates diverse pathways through annual advocacy events.
