Howard Center

Howard Center is a highly respected nonprofit organization based in Burlington, Vermont, recognized for its comprehensive and compassionate approach to behavioral health, mental health, and substance use disorder treatment. As one of the most prominent treatment providers in the state, Howard Center serves thousands of individuals and families each year through a wide range of programs and services tailored to meet the unique needs of each person.

Howard Center offers a full continuum of care that includes crisis response, outpatient counseling, residential services, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Its evidence-based practices and client-centered philosophy help individuals not only manage their conditions but also rebuild meaningful, productive lives. The center emphasizes integrated care, which means that clients dealing with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders receive coordinated support for both conditions simultaneously.

One of the standout features of Howard Center is its commitment to accessibility and equity. Services are available to people of all ages, including children, adolescents, and adults, and the center works to eliminate barriers to care regardless of financial situation. Sliding fee scales, Medicaid, and other insurance options are accepted to ensure support is within reach for all.

The center operates several specialized programs, such as the Chittenden Clinic for opioid treatment, the Jarrett House for youth residential services, and the Street Outreach Team, which provides support to unhoused individuals experiencing mental health crises. Howard Center also partners with local schools, hospitals, and law enforcement to deliver care in the community where it's most needed.

Howard Center is also accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), which reflects its adherence to high standards of care and operational excellence. With a team of licensed clinicians, psychiatrists, social workers, and support staff, clients benefit from both professional expertise and empathetic support.

Beyond treatment, the center is deeply involved in community advocacy and education. It works to reduce stigma associated with mental illness and addiction, promote harm reduction strategies, and influence public policy in ways that improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations.

Clients and families who engage with Howard Center frequently highlight the organization’s deep sense of compassion, individualized treatment plans, and the respectful, nonjudgmental environment. Whether someone is in crisis or looking for long-term recovery support, Howard Center provides a place of stability, hope, and healing.

With over 150 years of service in Vermont, Howard Center continues to be a beacon of recovery and mental wellness. Its commitment to clinical excellence, social justice, and whole-person care makes it not just a treatment provider but a vital community resource dedicated to improving lives.