How We Serve Our Community
Meeting the immediate needs of young people experiencing homelessness.
Life-Changing Programs
The residents at The House at 20 Mile Stream are welcomed by an array of services to fit their individual needs. Each service and program is only offered to current residents. Below is a vast list of what we do at WCYS for residents to receive the help they need. Our team works hard to create a cohesive and advanced system of services to provide the highest quality of care.
Emergency Residential Shelter
Non-DCF Family Reunification
New residents should come in with the desire to return home or to safe housing within three weeks of arrival. The family or next caregiver will be required to join in mediated sessions during the child’s stay with us. Sessions will delve into what was working and what wasn’t working at home and come up with long-term creative solutions.
13-18 Years Old & All Genders
3-Week Maximum Stay
Youth Living in Windsor County
Intent to Return Home or Safe Housing
Short-Term Residential & Emergency Placement
Safe and Timely Placement For Youth In Immediate Need
We use the utmost care and discretion in providing emergency housing for youth who are in custody with nowhere else to go. We never undervalue the sensitivity necessary for this process.
Youth in DCF Custody
90-Day Maximum Stay
Family Reunification Progam
Emergency Placement for Youth in Custody
We're With You
You’ve Just Taken The First Step Toward A Future With No Limits
Family Reunification
Provide a Safe, Stable, Permanent Home
Our Reunification program starts with a family session to design a plan for successful reunification. Weekly family sessions are held to address concerns and get on the same page with the family and their expectations. Family meetings are paired with graduated visits which eventually progress to home overnight stays. Family overnights are a chance to practice skills taught in the program. Recommendations will be made for community service upon return home to help boost the efforts of the family.
The core practices used by WCYS to achieve family Reunification are as follows:
Treatment model based on family systems perspective
Family mediation meetings
Parental education (trauma-informed parenting skills)
Communication skills
Family assessment
Repair work
Conflict resolution
Parent coaching
Tentative schedules for family meetings and visits
Set after an assessment has been made about what is needed before the family can be reunified.
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On average the program can take 6-8 weeks to complete
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The family will discharge with a plan of expectations
Youth Treatment
Providing a Variety of Treatment Aspects to Everyone
Screenings for mental health, substance abuse, and crisis
Psychosocial assessment
DBT skills groups
Treatment and aftercare planning with referrals
Psychological assessment and evaluation
Intensive case management
Discharge planning & collaboration with providers
Daily youth practice skills with direct staff support
Trauma-focused psychotherapy
Eclectic style-cognitive-behavioral, solution-focused therapy, and DBT
Psycho-educational groups
Self-care, compassion, CBT, anger, anxiety, and trauma
Our Tutorial Program
We provide an educational program for each and every client. The program is a structured and supervised tutorial provided daily in four-hour sessions Residents learn to use the time in a constructive manner in order to effectively complete their academic assignments.
We request that schools arrange to deliver academic work to clients while they reside at WCYS. Educational Coordinators will forward completed academic work to the appropriate school for evaluation and application of student credit.
Students requiring computer and/or internet access will be provided access only upon direct communication and instruction from the sending school. Access will be provided only during the tutoring hours. We monitor computer and internet activity to the best of our ability. Please note that constant supervision cannot be provided and neither WCYS or the tutorial program will be held at fault for students’ online behavior. Additionally, inappropriate usage by a student will result in immediate termination of their privilege in our tutorial center. These guidelines have been put into place for the safety of our residents and staff.
Our Educational Coordinators are dedicated to maintaining direct communication and collaboration with each school. These methods ensure a smooth a transition when the client returns to the regular educational environment.
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The Coordinators will provide regular progress reports on students to their school and to those concerned with their academic progress. Educational plans are designed for the individual client and are monitored. Our Coordinators are certified teachers committed to quality academic education and support for our clients.
If your district chooses to provide a private tutor to work with a client, we request that these services occur during our regular educational sessions and arranged in advance with the Educational Coordinator. Private tutors are paid by the school district.
Contact Our Team:
Kate Phillips: (802) 228-6880 - phillips@windsorcountyyouthservices.org
Ben Spencer: (802) 228-6880 - spencer@windsorcountyyouthservices.org
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Contact at your earliest convenience will facilitate the process. Any information provided regarding a client’s specific academic history and/or needs is greatly appreciated. A copy of the student’s immunization record is required.
Our Summer Program
We have designed a summer program providing only our current residents with opportunities that they may not otherwise experience. During the summer months, our lesson plan becomes more experiential as we leave the classroom environment for a more hands-on approach.
Two days each week are spent enjoying nature’s restorative and stress-reducing benefits. Some activities include; kayaking, hiking, and organized sports and games. Two days we venture out to explore area museums, historic sites, and other places of interest. One day per week residents plan, prep, cook and enjoy a meal themselves.
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Summer Program at WCYS provides an opportunity to instill lessons learned in the program and a chance for youth to experience something new! Outdoor activities paired with visits to local venues allow youth to enjoy many of the experiences that the beautiful State of Vermont has to offer.
