Vermont Care Partners (VCP) is a statewide network dedicated to supporting individuals with I/DD, as well as those with mental health and substance use needs, to maintain independence and well-being. While not housing providers in the traditional sense, VCP agencies play an essential role in addressing the housing crisis by helping individuals find appropriate housing, navigate complex systems, and developing innovative solutions to ensure individuals can live healthy and satisfying lives in their communities.Â
Northwestern Counseling & Support Services (NCSS), like other VCP network agencies, is expanding its housing options to better serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), including those with higher medical and mental health needs. Currently, NCSS operates six residential care homes and is developing additional homes to meet the growing demand for specialized care.
In early 2025, NCSS, in collaboration with the Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living, will open the Able House. This six-bed residential care home in Franklin County is designed to support current clients whose needs have become more complex. The Able House will support individuals aged 45 and older with I/DD, including those with autism, who require more medical support than traditional home care providers can offer. It will provide 24-hour person-centered care such as nursing oversight, medication management, psychiatric services, personal care, and community-based services to ensure residents’ health and safety.
The Vermont System of Care primarily utilizes the Shared Living Provider housing model which has been extremely successful in supporting people with I/DD. This approach, used statewide, allows individuals with I/DD to live with a person or family in their home, offering built-in support. While effective for many, this model is increasingly unsuitable for a growing number of individuals as they age, and their needs become more complex.
Older individuals with I/DD are at increased risk of housing insecurity and homelessness. For many, the gap between having a home and becoming homeless is dangerously thin, and the consequences are devastating. Therefore, it is crucial to implement innovative supportive housing models across the state. The creation of The Able House will have a significant impact by enabling individuals to remain within their community while receiving the care they need, preventing the need for higher levels of care. By providing specialized care close to home, it helps to prevent individuals from being placed in out-of-town homes, promoting community connection and support. Furthermore, it will help address the housing crisis for individuals with I/DD, offering a much-needed resource to ensure they can live in a safe, supportive environment rather than face limited options or potential homelessness.
Development of The Able House addresses a growing need for specialized care due to increased medical acuity in the aging I/DD population. Designed to help individuals age in place while receiving the care they need in a safe, supportive environment, The Able House represents a statewide resource that will significantly improve the quality of life for individuals with I/DD who need more intensive care.
For more information or to inquire about these services, please contact NCSS Developmental Services at 802-524-6554 or visit us online at www.ncssinc.org.
This article is part of a series, collaboratively produced by members of Vermont Care Partners, a statewide network of sixteen non-profit, community-based agencies providing mental health, substance use, and intellectual and developmental disability supports.
Read the story on VTDigger here: The Able House: Northwestern Counseling & Support Services.