United Counseling Service

UCS is the "designated agency" for community mental health and developmental services in Bennington County. Because UCS is a private agency, costs to the state are reduced in comparison to other states that run community mental health centers. A private agency model is advantageous in that it is under local control, governed by residents of the community it serves, and can be more flexible at less cost to the taxpayer. In 1995, UCS changed its corporate structure. United Community Services, Inc. became the parent of three subsidiaries-namely, United Counseling Service, Inc., United Children's Services, Inc., and United Community Properties, Inc. United Community Services provides long-range planning, community relations, fundraising, and general oversight of the subsidiaries. This board manages our endowment fund that strengthens and supports all our services. United Counseling Service provides mental health, developmental disability and substance abuse services. United Children's Services consists of Bennington County Head Start, the UCS Infant and Toddler Center, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Bennington County. United Community Properties provides property management services to the other corporations.