Seeking Support is a Sign of Strength!

Seeking support is a sign of strength! This message needs to be reinforced not just during Mental Health Awareness Month - but all year.

Due to the great support of Governor Lamont and the Connecticut Legislature, DCF has contracted several additional service types to support families during trying times. 

Here are some and the way to access them:

Expansion of 24/7 Mobile Crisis- Now at all hours of the day, including weekends and overnights, mobile crisis clinicians are "mobile" and able to respond in-person to families across the state whenever needed.

• This program can be accessed by dialing 211 with additional information at www.mobilecrisisempsct.org

   

  Urgent Crisis Centers - UCCs will be opening and available around the state in Waterbury, Hartford, New London, and New Haven. They are aimed at diverting children from unnecessary visits to an emergency department while they're experiencing a behavior health crisis. UCCs provide intensive assessment, stabilization, and ongoing connection to care for youth who do not require hospital level of care.  

• More information will be provided when these programs are fully operational.

   

  Expansion of Access Mental Health for Pediatricians - Access Mental Health is real time behavioral health consultation between a child's pediatrician and psychiatrist. Now if medication is prescribed, and the Pediatrician and Psychiatrist agree that follow-up is necessary, the family will be connected to at least three therapy sessions, at no cost to them, as a bridge to ongoing care.

• Pediatricians can access this program at www.accessmhct.com

Intensive Transition Care Management - Peer support staff assist families with connecting to services in their respective community when their child is in the emergency department, psychiatric facility, or psychiatric residential treatment facility. It includes in-home follow-up support for up to 12 weeks following discharge.

• Families can access this support while their child is placed in one of the above-mentioned settings.

  Urban Trauma Initiative - A network of clinical treatment providers is being developed in Hartford, New Haven, Waterbury, and Bridgeport to provide interventions that focus on the impact of intergenerational racial trauma on young people (i.e., experiencing disproportionate levels of exposure to violence, poverty, unstable housing, etc.) especially in communities of color.

• Organizations and clinicians interested in learning more can access: www.maysaakbar.com

   

  Respite for Non-DCF Families - Through a referral to Care Coordination, families of children with complex needs can access respite services. Funds can be allocated towards in-home or out-of-home supports according to program limits and guidelines.

   

• Respite can be accessed by connecting to www.connectingtocarect.org

As a reminder, www.infoline.org and www.connectingtocarect.org are great resources for families to access supports across the state.