Connecticut Self Advocacy Groups Contacts
Please contact the group representative before attending any Self Advocacy meeting for the First Time. Sometimes dates, times and locations are changed to support the members of the group.
North Region
- OVAH- Our Voices Are Heard
Open to the public
Second Tuesday
In person 4:30-5:30 - East Hartford DDS Office
155 Founders Plaza 255 Pitkin St. East Hartford CT 06108
Contact: Kevin Arce kevin.arce@ct.gov 860-263-2457 or
Josephine "Tuty" Huerta (w) 860-331-2098 Josephine.huerta@ct.gov
- Viability
Closed to public (Viability individuals only)
Contact: Kevin Arce kevin.arce@ct.gov 860-263-2457 or
Jennifer Sirois jsirois@viability.org
- Movers & Shakers Journey Found
Closed to public (Journey Found individuals only)
Contact: Kevin Arce kevin.arce@ct.gov 860-263-2457 or
Kelly Howard khoward@journeyfound.org 203-465-9594
- Hartford – What’s Happening (HARC)
Open to the public
In person
Group meets varying dates usually 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. HARC
900 Asylum Ave Hartford CT 06105
Advisor: Dawn Allen dallen@harc-ct.org
Contact: Kevin.Arce@ct.gov 860-263-2457
- ARCECT Self Advocates United
Open to the public
Virtual
3rd Wednesday of month 6 p.m.
Advocate: Jamie Lazaroff (w) 860-774-2827 (c) 860-377 6341
selfadvocate@qvarc.org or jdlazaroff@yahoo.com
Contact: Varian Salters varian.salters@ct.gov 860-456-6345
- Manchester - Voices for Change SA group
Open to the public
In person
Dates vary, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
151 Sheldon Rd Manchester, Building 151
Advisor: Peter Engelbrecht pengelbrecht@marcct.org 860-646-5718
Contact: Varian Salters varian.salters@ct.gov 860-456-6345
- Sisters SA Group
Closed to public (Sisters individuals only)
Contact: Varian Salters varian.salters@ct.gov 860-456-6345
- South Windham (BARACO)
Closed to public (BARACO individuals only)
Contact: Varian Salters varian.salters@ct.gov 860-456-6345
- Willimantic – Rock & Roll Express (*A CT People First Group)
Open to the public
Hybrid- virtual or in person at the Willimantic DDS Office
90 S Park Street Willimantic CT 06226
3rd Tuesday 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Contact: Varian Salters varian.salters@ct.gov 860-456-6345 or
Advisor: Claire Lary dlary@snet.net
- OWC Vernon
Closed to public (OWC individuals only)
Contact: Varian Salters varian.salters@ct.gov 860-456-6345
- Favarh SA Group
Closed to public (Favarh individuals only)
Contact: Shaunte Taylor shaunte.taylor@ct.gov 860-263-2467 or
Jody Salius jsalius@favarh.org
- CPM Manchester SA Group
Closed to public (CPM individuals only)
Contact: Shaunte Taylor shaunte.taylor@ct.gov 860-263-2467 or
Cindy Gamache cgamache@partnersforcommunity.org
- Catholic Charities SA Group
Closed to public (Catholic Charities individuals only)
Contact: Shaunte Taylor shaunte.taylor@ct.gov 860-263-2467 or
Randii Jackson rjackson@ccaoh.org
- Super Friends
Closed to public (CPM individuals only)
Contact: Shaunte Taylor shaunte.taylor@ct.gov 860-263-2467 or
Stacie Harris Byrdsong sharrisbyrdsong@partnersforcommunity.org
- Easter Seals
Closed to public (Easter Seals individuals only)
Contact: Kevin.Arce@ct.gov 860-263-2457 or
Sandy Horwitz shorwitz@escrec.org
- Chat & Chew
Closed to Public (Catholic Charities individuals only)
Contact: Randii Jackson rjackson@ccaoh.org
DDS North Region Contacts:
AMY M. BLAZAWSKI, MSW, LCSW, ATP
Director of Services Development & Supports/Self-Determination
E-Mail: amy.blazawski@ct.gov
RightFax: 860-622-2703
Caroline Ecke
Self Determination Transition Advisor
Individual, Families, and Self-Determination Division
caroline.ecke@ct.gov
Edwin Anderson
Self Determination Transition Advisor
Individual, Families, and Self-Determination Division
edwin.anderson@ct.gov
(860) 263-2485
Kimberly Butts
DS Adult Services Instructor
Individual, Families, and Self-Determination Division
kimberley.butts@ct.gov
(860) 456-6368
South Region
South Region Self-Advocate Groups
Alida Hufflepuff SA Group - Open to the public
Third Tuesday of the month, 4:30-5:30 Virtual Via Teams Join the meeting now Contact: Alida Starble alida.starble@ct.gov
Paige’s Topic of the Month - Open to the public
Last Wednesday of the month, 4:00-5:00pm
Virtual via Zoom
https://us05web.zoom.us/j/82637024507?pwd=uwlfbSunMqZdUUGi1gMb9opWQ6y2g0.1
Meeting ID: 826 3702 4507
Passcode: 4XBHbU
Contact: Paige Librandi paige.librandi@ct.gov
Everyday Hero’s - Open meeting
On Teams- First Thursday of the month 4:30-5:30
Contact: Carol Grabbe carol.grabbe@ct.gov 203-294-5119
South Region Contacts:
DENISE PALADINO
Self-Determination Director
Connecticut Developmental Services
203-294-5046
Denise.Paladino@ct.gov
ELLEN HADAD-BLAZYS
Self-Determination Transition Advisor
Individual, Families, and Self-Determination Division
ellen.hadad-blazys@ct.gov
(203) 294-5011
Tiffany Haarmann,
Self Determination Transition Advisor
Individual, Families, and Self Determination Division
(860) 859-5482
chelsea.houston@ct.gov
West Region
WR SA Groups:
Torrington DDS Advocacy Fit Club – Open to public
WR Contacts:
Chelsea Houston
Director of Service Development and Support
Individuals, Families and Self-Determination Division (IFS)
203-448-3514
chelsea.houston@ct.gov
Tracey Pawlak
Self Determination Transition Advisor
Individuals, Families and Self-Determination Division (IFS)
203-448-3537
tracey.pawlak@ct.gov
Kiene (Key-In) Hannah
Self Determination Transition Advisor
Individual, Families, and Self-Determination Division (IFS)
203-805-7448
Right Fax: 860-706-5671
Kiene.Hannah@ct.gov