Centerpoint History

Centerpoint is a unique collaboration between 3 of the primary youth and family mental health service agencies in Vermont.

The Centerpoint Collaborative is comprised of:

• Northeastern Family Institute VT (a division of North American Family Institute).
• HowardCenter's Child, Youth, and Family Services.
• Matrix Health Systems.

In 1995, these agencies brought together their existing intensive adolescent treatment services in an effort to strengthen programming for high-needs teens and their families.  At the time, Centerpoint served 11 students through their fledgling day treatment program and approximately 100 youth through an intensive outpatient (IOP) substance abuse program.  These services were provided through a small facility in Winooski, Vermont.

Over the years, Centerpoint has grown dramatically.  Centerpoint's Alternative Education and Day Treatment programs serve 32-38 students each day at the Centerpoint School and CP Stepping Stones, with almost 70 students served each school year.  Our Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services have seen an expansion in our clinic-based services and we now provide clinical services in a range of community settings, including schools, the courthouse, residential and hospital diversion settings, and in the juvenile detention facility.  Centerpoint's Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services serve more than 600 teens and families each year.

Centerpoint's 50 member staff includes clinical social workers and mental health counselors, a board-certified child psychiatrist, substance abuse clinicians, special educators and certified teachers, a rehabilitation counselor, program counselors, interns, and our certified therapy dog, Wiley.

With the interagency collaboration that is the foundation of Centerpoint, youth and families have access to the broadest range of programs and supports offered by these host agencies.  With this collaboration, Centerpoint clients can be assured of the highest quality of care.  Additional services available through these organizations range from crisis intervention to long-term residential treatment, and include intensive family-based services, foster care and group care, case management, consultation, and psychological and psychiatric treatment.

Centerpoint services are accredited through the State of Vermont Department of Education, Department of Mental Health Services, and Department of Health, Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programs.  Centerpoint provides CARF-approved treatment.