As a Vermont Designated Agency, NCSS is required to screen for depression, trauma and substance use during each adult initial clinical assessment. Currently, the tools used are the PHQ 9 to screen for depression symptoms, the PC-PTSD-5 to screen for trauma, and the the CAGE-AID to screen for substance use. The use of this standarized process allows clinicians to utilize relevant findings to inform interventions and develop a treatment plan for each client.

3 years ago, NCSS transitioned to an updated EMR system. More recently, NCSS has utilized the new EMR to bundle together the required aspects of an initial assessment. The use of technology to create an easy to access "bundle" of tools and assessments has been an essential part of our success in standardizing care and screening for all clients served by our agency.

NCSS is currently meeting this standard at close to 100% for all three tools.

Vermont Department of Mental Health

Center for Health and Learning

Vermont Suicide Prevention Resource Center, Zero Suicide Project

The screening tools are not only used to inform diagnosis and treatment planning. NCSS Adult Outpatient clinicians also use the screeening tools as part of a protocol to guide interventions and treatment.

NCSS has developed a workflow at initial intake where each Outpatient Therapy clinician has the tools and resources necssary to conduct a depression screening as part of each initial assessment. The PHQ-2/9 has been incorporated into the agency workflow as a universal screening tool to aid in assessement and treatment planning.

If a client's depression screening is a 15 or higher, the Adult Outpatient clinicians at NCSS have adopted a workflow that indicates begining CAMS treatment immediately as as a suicide prevention tool. As an agency, NCSS is committed to Zero Suicide, and we have adopted protocols to ensure client safety and well-being. 

CAMS (Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality) is an evidence based clinical approach to treat suicidal risk.

NCSS is currently screening almost 100% of adult outpatient clients for depression, trauma and substance use during the initial intake assessment.

By achieving this goal, we are able to offer clients immediate intervention if needed. NCSS is also committing to using screening tools to provide informed clinical care, including a client-centered plan of care.

Addressing and treating depression, trauma and substance use in our adult popultion will have a positive impact on our clients lives. At NCSS, we are committed to providing trauma informed care in order to promote a culture of safety, empowerment, healing, and overall wellbeing.