HCRS Hosts After-School Mental Health Sessions in November
Health Care and Rehabilitation Services will offer after-school pop-up sessions for children, teens, and families on two dates this fall.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Children’s Health
Health Care and Rehabilitation Services will host After-School Pop-Up sessions on November 10 and December 8, 2026, from 3:30 to 6:15 p.m. The sessions serve children and teens ages 5-17 and their families, with mental health and substance use services available without an appointment.
Why it matters
The sessions were created to offer more flexible options beyond HCRS' existing Same Day Access hours, aiming to make a first step toward care easier for families juggling school, work, and family responsibilities. For Vermont families, the after-school timing addresses a common barrier to getting children connected with services.
The program schedule lists two sessions, on November 10 and December 8, 2026, each from 3:30 to 6:15 p.m., for children ages 5-17, with visits typically lasting 1.5 to 2 hours. Attendance and demand for the sessions have not yet been reported, and HCRS says the pilot is partly meant to learn what families need.
The players
Health Care and Rehabilitation Services (HCRS)
HCRS is a Vermont behavioral health organization that provides mental health, substance use, and related services across Windham and Windsor Counties.
The details
Families can attend in person at three regional offices in Brattleboro, Hartford, and Springfield, or join through an online session. During the visit, children, teens, and legal guardians complete registration and meet with a clinician, and a follow-up appointment is scheduled before the visit ends. The sessions were developed from conversations with community partners and are not intended for enrollment in HCRS school-based services.
Timeline
November 10, 2026: First After-School Pop-Up session, 3:30-6:15 p.m.
December 8, 2026: Second After-School Pop-Up session, 3:30-6:15 p.m.
Community Access
The after-school pop-ups extend HCRS' existing Same Day Access model into late-afternoon hours, targeting families who cannot easily attend during standard business hours. The move reflects an effort to make the first step toward children's mental health care more accessible to working and school-bound households across Vermont.
Families can walk in or call anytime between 3:30 and 6:15 p.m. on either date without an appointment, and leave with a follow-up appointment already scheduled. Questions can be directed to 802-886-4500, option #3.
The takeaway
Families who have hesitated to seek help for a child's mental health because of work or school schedules can attend a pop-up without an appointment and leave with a follow-up plan already in place. Calling 802-886-4500, option #3, is the simplest way to confirm details before a visit.
What happens next
The first After-School Pop-Up session takes place November 10, 2026, followed by a second session on December 8, 2026, both from 3:30 to 6:15 p.m.
Further reading
For more on youth behavioral health options, see Children's Health coverage across Vermont.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Brattleboro Reformer.
