About Our Organization

We are a 501c3 nonprofit serving the 76 towns of the Windham, Windsor, and Bennington​ counties.

The Collaborative is one of the largest substance misuse prevention organizations and mentoring fiscal agents in Vermont. ​Recognized by state, regional, and local partners as experts in our field--- our work provides a model for how youth, families, communities, and organizations "do" sustainable and data-driven prevention. We actively promote healthy communities and substance-free youth through education, programming, outreach, resource development, environmental strategies, policy influence, and mission-driven partnerships.

​Everyday, our efforts are guided by the vision that everyone is a part of a healthy, safe, and supportive community.

Our Belief Statement

  • All children are inherently good.

  • All children, teens and adults may make unhealthy decisions, but will be given the opportunity to make healthy choices with the advocacy and support of The Collaborative.

  • At heart, all parents seek to promote the best interests of their children.

  • When youth and adults are provided enough information and cultural support, they will make healthy decisions to avoid the onset of substance abuse.

  • Positive proactive substance use prevention throughout the entire community will facilitate the development of healthy independent teens.

  • In our communities, each member, organization and system plays an integral role in conveying to youth the clear and consistent message that youth are expected to be substance free and rewarded for their commitment.
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  • Our services and public resources are available to all families and individuals.

What does our work look like?

Learn more about our programs:

Local, Regional, and Statewide Impact

The Collaborative provides program expertise and prevention services to 76 towns across 4 counties. While our programs directly serve 18 towns and 9 schools in the Northshire area, our team is also providing fiscal mentorship to three other local nonprofit prevention organizations and steering the effort of Vermont's Prevention Lead Region 4 (PL4).  Together with our partners, fiscal agencies, supporters, and community leaders―we’re strengthening networks and serving the largest prevention region in Vermont.
Led by The Collaborative, the Prevention Lead Region 4 VT (PL4) is organized under a grant from the Vermont Department of Health (VDH), Division of Substance Use Programs. Our funded organizations are working across the PL4 region, which includes the four health districts of Bennington, Brattleboro, Springfield, and White River Junction. The PL4 is empowering local decision-making at the community level, allowing more flexibility to leverage existing resources according to need and impact. Learn more about PL4...
The Collaborative is a long-standing and active member of the Green Peak Alliance. Green Peak Alliance is a regional network that promotes healthy communities. Together, we bring federal and state resources to local areas through our work with schools and service organizations. Through research, education, and outreach, we create conditions to positively influence the public by increasing youth assets and reducing risks. Learn more about GPA...
The Collaborative facilitates the Bennington County Regional Prevention Partnership (BCRPP) and its workgroups...The Collaborative is heavily involved in supporting the Bennington County Regional Prevention Partnership's goals and activities. The Bennington County Regional Prevention Partnership is a community health organization that pursues a public health planning process, fostering community action and collaboration to reduce and prevent underage and binge drinking, prescription drug misuse and cannabis misuse at the regional level. Learn more about BCRPP...

Fiscal Agency Partnerships

We are currently the acting fiscal mentor for three other non-profit prevention organizations: BRACC, ACT Bennington, and Prevention Works!VT. The Collaborative helps its partner agencies focus on their core missions by managing financial and administrative functions on their behalf. We work closely with their teams building prevention capacity across three counties and providing organizational oversight, grant management, technical assistance, and prevention expertise.
The Alliance for Community Transformation (ACT) is a substance misuse prevention coalition focused on supporting youth in Bennington County through community engagement, education, advocacy, and healthy community design. Learn more about ACT Bennington...
The Black River Area Community Coalition (BRACC) supports substance-free spaces, positive youth development, prevention education, and afterschool programming in the Chester-Ludlow area. Learn more about BRACC...
Prevention Works!VT (PW!VT) is part of a statewide substance misuse prevention community where prevention professionals, the Vermont Dept. of Health prevention consultants, and youth-serving organizations across VT are all working to create healthier communities. Learn more about PW!VT...