HowardCenter Adopts Unified Name

For Immediate Release

Contact: Gail Rosenberg, 802.488.6912, gailrREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@howardcenter.org

HowardCenter Adopts Unified Name — May 2007

Vermont’s largest community mental health organization has just adopted a unified name. All of the service areas of our agency will now be called HowardCenter.

Close to 13 years ago the Baird Center, Champlain Drug & Alcohol Services, and The HowardCenter merged. Many community members still think of us as separate agencies. The agency’s leadership and Board believe that a unified name will increase understanding of the work we do.

According to Todd Centybear, HowardCenter’s Executive Director, “The identity process is not just about a revised name and new letterhead. It is the visible component of a number of major initiatives we are undertaking to make our organization more adaptable, accessible, and responsive to community needs and those seeking services.” HowardCenter will continue to provide developmental; mental health; substance abuse; and child, youth, and family services.

HowardCenter will also have a new phone system with a common exchange for all programs: 488. This is designed to improve access to our services for clients, service partners, and the public. The new numbers will become active in mid-May.

By the first week in June, the agency’s website will be redesigned and reformatted: www.howardcenter.org

Centybear noted, “HowardCenter is dedicated to empowering people to get their needs met and to live full, rich lives. We believe everyone deserves support; no one can make it on their own.”