Community Care Network – Rutland Mental Health Services to open new Mental Health Urgent Care in Rutland

New program will provide immediate, walk-in stabilization for individuals in crisis

Community Care Network's Rutland Mental Health Services (CCN-RMHS) today announced plans to open a new Mental Health Urgent Care (MHUC) program serving the greater Rutland Region, providing adults experiencing a mental health, substance use or co-occurring crisis with immediate access to assessment, stabilization and support.

Supported by funding from the Vermont Department of Mental Health as part of Vermont’s Rural Health Transformation federal grant, the new CCN-RMHS Mental Health Urgent Care program is expected to begin offering walk-in services in early 2027. The program is designed to provide a safe, voluntary and low-barrier alternative to hospital emergency department care and other more intensive crisis services, while creating an additional entry point into behavioral health care for individuals throughout the community.

“We’re excited for the opportunity to help strengthen Rutland County's behavioral health crisis response system by giving individuals and families another place to turn when an urgent mental health or substance use need arises,” said Loree Zeif, Director of Crisis Intervention and Stabilization Services with Community Care Network. “CCN-RMHS’ Mental Health Urgent Care will be specifically tailored to provide timely, trauma-informed crisis care and stabilization in a therapeutic environment, while also serving as a conduit to additional, longer-term supportive services and resources.”

During its first year of operation, CCN-RMHS Mental Health Urgent Care will serve adults age 18 and older from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week. CCN-RMHS anticipates expanding both hours of operation and the ages served as the program develops, to include children in year two.

Individuals will be able to walk in for care without an appointment, and referrals can come from family members, behavioral health and medical providers, law enforcement, area schools and other community partners. CCN-RMHS Mental Health Urgent Care will also receive individuals through connections with 988, 911, Mobile Crisis, emergency medical services and Rutland Regional Medical Center (RRMC), helping create multiple pathways for people to access appropriate care when a crisis occurs.

Located at CCN-RMHS’ 195 Stratton Road facility in Rutland City, the Mental Health Urgent Care will reside approximately one-half mile from RRMC, allowing for rapid transfer to the RRMC Emergency Department in instances where an individual’s medical, psychiatric or safety needs may require a higher level of care.

CCN-RMHS Mental Health Urgent Care will be staffed by Peer Support Specialists, crisis-trained clinicians, a dedicated mental health clinician, and a registered nurse who will provide consult for medical-related needs.

Additionally, the program will be supported by CCN-RMHS’ wide range of wraparound services and act as a bridge to longer-term care. During a Mental Health Urgent Care visit, clinicians will be able, when appropriate, to connect individuals with ongoing CCN-RMHS services, including mental health and substance use treatment, medical and psychiatric services, and developmental disability services, as well as make referrals to other providers and community partners for additional care or resources.

Utilization and referral data collected from community partners during the program’s first year of operation will help to further identify community needs and guide potential future expansion, including service to children and adolescents, along with expanded operating hours.

This project is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $195,053,740.44 with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.​

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About Community Care Network

Community Care Network is comprised of Rutland Mental Health Services and Rutland Community Programs. The programs of Community Care Network serve more than 3,500 people each year throughout Rutland County across the areas of mental health, developmental disabilities, substance use recovery, senior and volunteer, and early childhood education services. CCN is focused on enhancing the health and well-being of those it serves through responsive, innovative and collaborative services that offer support across the lifespan. To learn more, visit www.rmhsccn.org.