United Counseling Service Emergency Services host mental health crisis training at Bennington Fire House on October 18

United Counseling Service (UCS) Emergency Services team hosted over 40 members of the law enforcement, mental health, and Emergency Medical Services communities on October 18 at the Bennington Fire House for a mental health crisis training called Team Two Training. The training is funded by the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Public Safety and administered by Vermont Care Partners. It is a nationally recognized training model and brings professionals from many disciplines to train in partnership.

Team Two Vermont is coordinated and taught by Kristin Chandler, along with additional instructors, including Rachel Muñoz and Bill Elwell of UCS. The program seeks to educate first responders and build the relationships necessary to work together in crisis situations. The training included an overview of relevant mental health statutes and a refresher on mandatory law enforcement mental health training, with break-out sessions and role-playing scenarios.

UCS last hosted Team Two training in 2019. This week’s training showed the significant progress UCS has made in promoting collaboration and communication with local law, particularly with the Vermont State Police and Bennington Police Departments. Mental health community attendees included 10 staff members from UCS’ Children, Youth and Families Services Division and Emergency Services. Other participating agencies included Rutland Mental Health, Rutland City Police Department, Winhall Police Department, Bennington Police Department, Bennington Rescue, and troopers from Vermont State Troopers’ Rutland Barracks.

For more information about Team Two Training in Vermont, please contact Coordinator Kristin Chandler at teamtwovermont@gmail.com or (802)236-5065.