BMH Community Initiatives
Brattleboro Memorial Hospital is involved in a number of community-based projects and initiatives designed to improve population health in Windham county, fight hunger, and promote recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs.
Accountable Communities for Health (ACH):
An Accountable Community for Health (ACH) is a structured, cross-sectoral alliance of healthcare, public health, and other organizations that plans and implements strategies to improve population health and health equity for all residents in the Brattleboro Health Service Area.
Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA):
A structured process that serves as an opportunity to maintain compliance with state and federal regulations, but also constitutes a means to engage communities in the BMH service area, partner with other providers, and learn more about the community health concerns and needs. BMH partners with Grace Cottage Hospital, the Brattleboro Retreat, the VT Department of Health, and other local organizations to complete the CHNA.
Consortium On Substance Use (COSU):
The Windham County Consortium on Substance Use (COSU) is comprised of representatives from 13 organizations, people in recovery, and those with lived experience. COSU works across the span of prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery in order to understand and address the impacts of opioid and other substance use in Windham County.
Healthworks:
Partnership between Groundworks Collaborative, BMH, HCRS, and the Brattleboro Retreat to improve outcomes for individuals with complex needs who are either homeless or at risk of becoming homelessness. Healthworks involves the innovative use of medical and mental health practitioners working outside of traditional office settings.
Project CARE:
Project CARE is a community partnership focused on healing addiction with dignity, respect, and compassion. The mission is to help people achieve and maintain recovery by connecting them with individuals and supports that can help. The Project CARE team includes: Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, Brattleboro Police Department, Brattleboro Retreat, Brattleboro Union Hight School, Groundworks Collaborative, Habit OPCO, HCRS, and Turning Point of Windham County.
Recovery Coaches/Rapid Access to Medication (RAM):
The Rapid Access to Medication Program (RAM) provides patients who come to the Emergency Department in active opioid withdrawal with medication assisted treatment and a warm handoff to the HUB.
RiseVT:
RiseVT partners with individuals, employers, schools, childcare providers, and municipalities to amplify and implement opportunities to make the healthy choice the easy choice. RiseVT utilizes an evidence-based model that engages public-private partnerships, behavior change interventions, and a comprehensive evaluation approach to achieve measurable and sustainable improvement in community health.
Veggie Van Go:
VeggieVanGo food deliveries help improve the health of Vermont families. VeggieVanGo makes regular visits to Brattleboro Memorial Hospital (and eight other hospitals throughout Vermont). VVG works with BMH’s Community Health Team to identify patients and families who are experiencing hunger and to “prescribe” fresh fruits and vegetables for a more nutritious diet.
Windham County Dental Center:
A collaboration between Brattleboro Memorial Hospital and the United Way of Windham County, to provide accessible, affordable dental care for local patients who are enrolled in Medicaid or who lack dental insurance. The Windham County Dental Center serves residents of Windham County and provides comprehensive dental care including examinations, x-rays, preventive care, referrals to oral surgery, oral health education, and dentures.
