People’s Clinic and Gifford Health Care Partner to Offer Low-Barrier Substance Use Treatment in Barre

Barre, VT – The People’s Health & Wellness Clinic (PHWC) is proud to announce a new partnership with Gifford Health Care’s Addiction Medicine Program to provide low-barrier substance use treatment services at PHWC’s Barre clinic.

This initiative will bring expert addiction care directly to the community, ensuring that individuals seeking treatment have easy and immediate access to the support they need.

Beginning March 5, substance use treatment services are available at PHWC every Wednesday from 9 AM-Noon. Roz Vara-Good, FNP-C, an experienced provider from Gifford’s Addiction Medicine Program, will work out of PHWC’s offices to offer same-day appointments and accept walk-ins for those seeking assistance.

“This collaboration is about meeting people where they are and making sure that anyone who wants treatment can access it without unnecessary barriers,” said Vara-Good. “By working with the People’s Clinic, we are expanding the reach of evidence-based addiction treatment and offering a safe, welcoming space for individuals on their recovery journey.”

The program is open to both PHWC patients and non-patients, ensuring that anyone in need of support can receive care. Services will include medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), harm reduction strategies, and referrals to additional resources as needed.

“Many of our patients struggle to find help for substance use disorder, and this partnership with Gifford fills a crucial gap in care,” said Teal Church, PHWC’s Director of Clinical Services. “By bringing these services directly to our clinic, we are breaking down barriers and making recovery more accessible for the people of Barre and beyond.”

People’s Health & Wellness Clinic and Gifford Health Care are committed to addressing substance use disorder with compassion and comprehensive care. This pilot program aims to reduce stigma, improve health outcomes, and connect individuals with the resources they need to achieve lasting recovery.

For more information about this new program, please contact People’s Health & Wellness Clinic at (802) 479-1229 or visit www.phwcvt.org

People’s Health & Wellness Clinic

People’s Health & Wellness Clinic is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free healthcare services to uninsured and underinsured adults in Central Vermont. Through a network of volunteer providers and community partnerships, PHWC offers medical, oral health, mental health, and wellness services to improve the well-being of all patients.

Gifford Health Care

Gifford Health Care is a community hospital based in Randolph, Vermont, offering a broad spectrum of healthcare services, including primary care, specialty medicine, and addiction treatment programs. Gifford’s Addiction Medicine Program provides evidence-based treatments and recovery support to individuals facing substance use challenges.