What Northwestern Counseling & Support Services does

Northwestern Counseling & Support Services (NCSS) is a Vermont nonprofit community mental health agency founded in 1958 and headquartered in St. Albans, serving as the Designated Mental Health Agency for Franklin and Grand Isle counties. The organization operates three primary service divisions — Community Mental Health Services (outpatient therapy, Community Rehabilitation & Treatment, crisis intervention, integrated healthcare), Developmental Services (adult services, autism support, employment services, PAEA therapeutic arts, Traumatic Brain Injury program, Academy of Learning, Peer Services), and Early Childhood & School-Based Services (Parent Child Center, HEART Perinatal Support Program, school-based services, Soar Learning Center alternative education) — plus newer programs such as the Able House residential care home and Camp Rainbow. The clinical technology stack consists of evidence-based interventions including Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Attachment Regulation Competency, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, Applied Behavior Analysis, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and trauma-informed care, supplemented by CARF accreditation (with Exemplary Status for PAEA) and the Zero Suicide model.

NCSS delivers services across office-based, home-based, community-based, school-embedded (100% of local supervisory unions), healthcare-embedded (Northwestern Medical Center OB/ED, pediatric practices via DULCE, NOTCH FQHC), law-enforcement-embedded (St. Albans Police), and telehealth channels, plus 24/7 crisis hotline and 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline coverage for the 802 area code (operating as Vermont's first call center since August 2019, in partnership with NKHS since June 2021). The organization is one of 16 Vermont Care Partners member agencies, one of 15 Parent Child Centers in Vermont, and was selected in January 2025 as one of four CCBHC demonstration sites targeting full certification by July 2026.

Revenue is generated through five primary streams: Vermont Medicaid Waiver Program funding for Developmental Services, federal and state grants (CBCAP, Vermont Department of Mental Health), United Way funding, fee-for-service/Medicaid reimbursement for outpatient and crisis services, and (beginning July 2025) CCBHC demonstration program funding. Headcount is in the 501-1,000 range with executive leadership under Executive Director Todd Bauman, and major strategic priorities are defined by the CCBHC transformation, Able House ramp, and continuing leadership succession (notably the retirement of long-tenured Director of Community Relations Joe Halko and the promotion of Matt Habedank).

Name

Northwestern Counseling & Support Services

Legal name

Northwestern Counseling & Support Services, Inc.

Website

https://ncssinc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Northwestern Counseling & Support Services is a Vermont Designated Mental Health Agency operating since 1958, delivering community-based mental health, developmental, early childhood, and crisis services across Franklin and Grand Isle counties through Medicaid, state, and federal funding streams.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Albans

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Medicaid Waiver Programs: Primary funding source for Developmental Services through Vermont Medicaid Waiver Program administered by Department of Aging & Independent Living (DAIL). Services funded include service coordination, community supports, employment services, respite, and supervised living.
2. Federal and State Grants: CBCAP (Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention) grants and Vermont Department of Mental Health funding support Parent Child Center operations and mental health services.
3. United Way Funding: United Way funding supports Parent Child Center family assistance programs providing groceries, diapers, and heating bills.
4. Fee-for-Service / Medicaid Reimbursement: Outpatient therapy, psychiatric services, crisis intervention, and other clinical services billed to Medicaid and other payers. Services for children and adults with mental health, substance use, and developmental disabilities.
5. CCBHC Demonstration Program Funding: Vermont participation in federal CCBHC Demonstration program beginning July 2025 provides enhanced funding for CCBHC operations for four-year demonstration period.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

NCSS is a designated Vermont community mental health agency delivering outpatient therapy, crisis intervention, substance use treatment, community rehabilitation and treatment (CRT), developmental disability services, autism services, school-based behavioral health, early childhood programs, perinatal support, employment services, residential care, and integrated primary care behavioral health. Services are delivered to individuals and families in Franklin and Grand Isle counties regardless of ability to pay, funded through Medicaid, state and federal grants, United Way, and donations.

Product overview

Northwestern Counseling & Support Services (NCSS) is a community mental health and human services organization offering a multi-division portfolio of services. The organization operates through three main divisions: Community Mental Health Services (providing outpatient therapy, crisis services, and Community Rehabilitation & Treatment), Developmental Services (supporting individuals with developmental disabilities including adult services, autism support, and community integration), and Early Childhood & School Based Services (providing Parent Child Center programs, the HEART Perinatal Support Program, School-Based Services, and the Soar Learning Center alternative education program). Additional programs include Employment Services, Integrated Healthcare partnerships with Northwestern Medical Center and primary care practices, Music & Art Program (PAEA), Camp Rainbow, and The Able House residential care home. The organization was selected as a CCBHC (Certified Community Based Integrated Health Center) demonstration site working toward certification by 2026.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Community Mental Health Services Community-based support services for adults, children, and families in Franklin and Grand Isle Counties, including outpatient therapy, outreach services, home and community-based interventions, and Community Rehabilitation & Treatment (CRT) for adults with severe mental illness.
• Developmental Services
• Early Childhood & School Based Services
• Soar Learning Center
• HEART Perinatal Support Program
• School-Based Services
• Emergency Services / Crisis Services
• Parent Child Center
• Employment Services
• Music & Art Program (PAEA)
• Integrated Healthcare
• Camp Rainbow
• The Able House

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 250 families served through Parent Child Centers in FY25
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Vermont Department of Mental Health (DMH)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 January 2025NCSS selected as CCBHC demonstration site working toward certification by July 2026. DMH partnership provides enhanced funding and regulatory framework for coordinated mental health, substance use, and physical health services.
• Northwestern Medical Center (NMC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor healthcare partnership including Pediatric Developmental Clinic collaboration, HEART Perinatal Support Program embedded at NMC OB, emergency department recovery coach, and joint Community Partners Classic golf tournament raising over $34,000. Partnership provides integrated healthcare services and community health improvement.
• Timber Lane Pediatrics - MiltoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDULCE program partnership where NCSS Family Specialists are members of the pediatric care team providing screenings, referrals, and support to families with infants from birth to six months. National model of behavioral health integration with pediatrics.
• Monarch MaplescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDULCE program partner in St. Albans - Family Specialists integrated into pediatric care team providing universal behavioral health screenings and family support services.
• Vermont Legal AidminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDULCE program partner providing legal aid services to families participating in the integrated pediatric behavioral health program.
• Attune2FoodminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood insecurity partnership addressing basic family needs including groceries, diapers, and heating bills through Parent Child Center services.
• Healthcare and Rehabilitation Services (HCRS)minorOthersOne of four CCBHC demonstration sites chosen alongside NCSS. HCRS serves Windsor and Windham counties. Agencies working toward coordinated CCBHC model implementation.
• Howard CenterminorOthersOne of four CCBHC demonstration sites. Howard Center serves Chittenden County. Cooperating in CCBHC model development under DMH guidance.
• Northeast Kingdom Human Services (NKHS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNKHS joined NCSS in June 2021 to provide 24/7 coverage for Vermont's 988 suicide and crisis lifeline. Both agencies answer 802-area code calls, with overflow handled by Headrest in New Hampshire.
• The NOTCH (FQHC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederally Qualified Health Center partnership for integrated behavioral health services. NCSS provides social work care coordinators as part of regional Blueprint for Health Community Health Team.
• Vermont Care PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCSS is one of 16 member agencies in statewide network focused on supporting individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, mental health, and substance use needs. Network provides collective advocacy, shared resources, and media partnerships including VTDigger collaboration.
• Franklin County Home Health AgencyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on seniors services for individuals 55+ receiving Developmental Services. Coordinates home health and senior-focused community services.
• Area Agency on AgingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on seniors services providing access to senior-focused services and activities available in local and surrounding communities.
• St. Albans Police DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCSS crisis clinician embedded within police department to provide immediate mental health response, de-escalation, and connect individuals experiencing crisis to treatment. Emergency Services specialist Samantha Weber received Unsung Heroes 2024 award for this work.
• UVM Home Health & Hospice of Chittenden and Grand Isle CountiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEarly Intervention program coordination for developmental screening, assessment, and therapy for children birth to age three across Franklin, Grand Isle, and Chittenden counties.
• Franklin-Grand Isle Community PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOnly Community Partnership continuing since state eliminated regional coordinator positions in 2009. Comprises various organizations with singular goal of giving everyone opportunity to maximize their lives. Led by Turning Point of Franklin County.
• Champlain Valley Office of Economic OpportunityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperates Samaritan House, Voices Against Violence, and Franklin Grand Isle Community Action. Partnered with NCSS for In Their Shoes homelessness awareness event.
• Spectrum Youth & Family ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFranklin-Grand Isle Community Partnership member. Operates St. Albans Drop-in Center helping youth ages 14-22 meet basic needs. Proceeds from community events support their services.
• Turning Point of Franklin CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFranklin-Grand Isle Community Partnership lead organization. Recovery Coach Supervisor embedded in NMC Emergency Department. VT Blueprint Medical Assisted Treatment Lead.
• Vermont ConnectorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity resource connection partnership addressing access to essential needs including basic necessities for families served through Parent Child Center.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• United Counseling Service: Vermont Care Partners member and designated community mental health agency serving Bennington County with a similar mix of mental health, developmental, and crisis services.
• Healthcare and Rehabilitation Services (HCRS): Co-CCBHC demonstration site serving Windsor and Windham counties, Vermont Care Partners member, and a designated mental health agency of comparable size and service breadth to NCSS.
• Washington County Mental Health Services: Vermont Care Partners member and designated community mental health agency serving Washington County with a comparable multi-division service portfolio.
• Lamoille County Mental Health Services: Vermont Care Partners member and designated community mental health agency providing outpatient, developmental, and crisis services in a comparable rural Vermont service area.
• Northeast Kingdom Human Services (NKHS): 24/7 988 co-coverage partner with NCSS, Vermont Care Partners member, and a rural Vermont designated mental health agency directly comparable in scope and regional role.
• Howard Center: Sister CCBHC demonstration site serving Chittenden County (Burlington, VT), Vermont Care Partners member, and multi-division community mental health and developmental services provider with comparable service mix and scale.

Broad incumbents

• Centerstone: National nonprofit behavioral health and human services provider operating across multiple states with a similar multi-division community mental health, IDD, and crisis services model, useful for benchmarking scale and CCBHC implementation.
• Bay Cove Human Services: Massachusetts-based nonprofit providing mental health, developmental disability, and substance use services with embedded school, healthcare, and crisis programs analogous to NCSS's model.
• Aspire Health Partners: Large Florida-based nonprofit providing mental health, substance use, and developmental disability services with comparable breadth across outpatient, residential, and crisis lines.

Others

• National Council for Mental Wellbeing: National trade and advocacy organization representing community mental health and addiction providers, including CCBHC demonstration sites; relevant as the industry-standards and policy backbone for NCSS's CCBHC trajectory.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@NCSSINC/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/NCSSinc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/northwestern-counseling-and-support-services

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Northwestern Counseling & Support Services