Connecticut State Department of Children and Families

Solnit - South Campus

860-704-4000
 

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Who We Are

Albert J. Solnit Children’s Center– South Campus is a state-administered Psychiatric facility for Connecticut’s children who are 13 to 17 years of age.

The Solnit Center provides comprehensive care to children and adolescents with severe mental illness and related behavioral and emotional problems who cannot be safely assessed or treated in a less restrictive setting.  

The South Campus consists of four coed hospital units and three female adolescent psychiatric residential treatment facility cottages (PRTF).

 

Mission and Beliefs

The Solnit Center is part of the Department of Children and Families (DCF). Our Mission Statement is Caring, Healing and Teaching ----Partnering with children, families and communities to build hope and create opportunities.

We are widely recognized as a center of excellence for family-centered treatment of children and youth with serious emotional disturbances.

We believe that:

  • Children and adolescents with serious emotional disorders can lead productive and satisfying lives.
  • Children, youth and their families have the right and responsibility to participate in their treatment.
  • No child will be refused treatment based on their ability to pay for services.
  • Our services work best when integrated with community care.

 

Our Care Environment

At the Solnit Center, we treat our youth and each other with dignity and respect.  It is in this relational, cultural and gender-sensitive surrounding that our therapeutic milieu is based. Interdisciplinary teams develop, implement and continually assess individualized treatment plans.

Core Team Members include:

  • Child / Adolescent Psychiatrist
  •  Psychologist
  •  Nurse
  •  Direct-Care Staff
  •  Social Worker
  •  Rehabilitation Therapist
  •  Teacher

This team of professionals strives to support, calm and stabilize children and youth who are in a temporary state of extreme psychiatric distress, and to prepare them and their families for their return home or to placement in a less restrictive setting.

 

Our Campus
Our 67-acre campus is centrally located in Middletown, Connecticut overlooking the Connecticut River.  The Solnit Center facilities support our dedication to helping youth improve their individual and social competencies. The campus includes:
  • Two schools
  • Indoor pool
  • Playgrounds
  • Ball field
  • Two gyms
  • Recreation Rooms
  • Seven program-specific residential units
  • Outdoor picnic area

 

Our Continuum of Care
Upon evaluation and admission to Solnit Center, we begin planning the youth’s treatment and discharge plan.  It is our belief that placement is only one component in a continuing system of psychiatric treatment.
When a youth is ready to leave Solnit Center, the core team assesses the youth’s needs and coordinates services for post-facility care.  We make every effort to return the youth to his/her home at the end of treatment.  When either the youth or the family is not able to make a home goal possible, our staff work with the family, DCF Area Office, and others who are actively involved in the child’s care to find the best possible solution. Options may include either a placement in a foster home, group home or residential treatment facility.

 

Dietary/Food Service

Food Service Information

Solnit South Menu (2021-2022)

2021 Wellness Report

2021 DCF Administrative Review Summary

 

Directions (or use Google Maps for personalized directions)

From Hartford:

I-91 South to Route 9 (left hand exit) and then to Middletown.
Take Silver Street Exit and turn left off ramp over Route 9.
Follow Silver Street to end, juncture with River Road.
Turn right on River Road and look for sign.

From 9 North to Middletown:

Take Eastern Drive Exit to right.
Follow Eastern Drive to Silver Street.
Turn right on Silver Street to end, juncture with River Road.
Turn right on River Road and look for sign.

From Route 9 or Wilbur Cross

Take Route 9 North to Route 66, Meriden-Middletown Exit.
Right on Route 66 (becomes Washington Street in Middletown) to juncture with Route 9 at Connecticut River.
Turn right on Route 9 to Silver Street Exit and follow instructions under Hartford, above.

From Routes 66 and 6A

Routes 66 & 6A southeast to Middletown via Portland Bridge.
Follow signs off bridge to Route 9 (left around rotary and right down under railroad tracks).
Right on Route 9 to Silver Street. Exit and follow instructions under Hartford above.