Western CT Mental Health Network - Waterbury Area
95 Thomaston Avenue
Waterbury, CT 06702
203-805-5300, 203-805-5310 (FAX)
The Western CT Mental Health Network - Waterbury Area (WCMHN-Waterbury Area), under the umbrella of the Western Connecticut Mental Health Network is responsible for the clinical, fiscal and administrative oversight of state-operated and contracted agencies providing mental health services in the Greater Waterbury area. The WCMHN-Waterbury Area is one of DMHAS' local providers in the state. The Greater Waterbury area includes Beacon Falls, Bethlehem, Cheshire, Middlebury, Naugatuck, Oxford, Prospect, Southbury, Thomaston, Waterbury, Watertown, Wolcott and Woodbury.
**No one will be denied service for inability to pay. Medicaid and Medicare accepted. Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) facilities will not discriminate in the provision of health care services to an individual. Click here for the full policy.**
WCMHN-Waterbury Area - Operated Programs
Access Center/Mobile Crisis: The Access Center is an information and referral source for individuals with behavioral health and addiction diagnoses. Access Center staff is available by telephone for support, information, referrals, and mobile outreach. The goal is to provide support and information to reduce symptomatology, and to improve quality of life. Its philosophy is to maintain the individual in the least restrictive environment. Access Center staff also provide intake/assessment and referrals to determine service needs and treatment options for individuals.
Community Support Programs (CSP): CSP services focus on building and maintaining a therapeutic relationship with individuals while delivering recovery oriented activities and skill building interventions. CSP services also facilitate connections to community recovery supports and emphasize individual choice, goals and recovery path. CSP includes a comprehensive range of rehabilitation services most of which are provided in the community. Services are focused on skill building with a goal of maximizing self-management skills and independence. Community-based treatment enables the team to become intimately familiar with the individual's surroundings, strengths and challenges, and to assist the individual in learning skills applicable to the living environment. The team services and interventions are individualized and tailored to the needs and preferences of the individual.
Deaf/or Hard of Hearing: Deaf /Hard of Hearing services are provided regionally throughout the Network program and provide assessment, treatment planning, case management, referral, advocacy and direct care.
Outpatient Services: Services include ongoing evaluation and assessment which are provided in a recovery oriented and culturally sensitive manner. The treatment team in collaboration with the client develop an individualized recovery plan to meet the individual's needs. Services may also include supportive counseling, individual and group therapy, and medication management.
Adult Young Services: The Young Adult Service program provides clinically appropriate, trauma-sensitive, recovery-oriented services to clients ages 18 to 25. Young Adult Services provide an array of flexible age and developmentally appropriate services at varying levels of care to meet clients’ individualized needs. These services are multidisciplinary community-based, and include individual therapy, group and family treatment, case management, psychosocial skill development and employment services. Additionally, intensive outreach, proactive engagement, multidimensional support and independent living skill development are provided to individual consistent with their level of development and functioning.
Behavioral Health Homes: The Behavioral Health Home model of care serves to improve clients health outcomes through comprehensive care management and care coordination.
Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Community Care Program: The Western Connecticut Mental Health Network offers services regionally to persons with acquired or traumatic brain injury (ABI/TBI). A Community Integration Specialist (social worker) provides assistance to ABI/TBI individuals by facilitating the initiation, coordination and implementation of community-based services. Eligible individuals access these services through referral. Consultation and advocacy are also offered as an integral part of the program.
Respite Services: The Respite Program provides short-term residential care for individuals who are homeless, awaiting acceptance to services, or are leaving the hospital. The Respite Program is operated collaboratively with Waterbury Hospital.
Jail Diversion Program: The Jail Diversion Program represents the collaboration of Waterbury Court (GA-4), Bantam Court (GA-18), Danbury Court (GA-3) and the Western Connecticut Mental Health Network (WCMHN) to better identify and facilitate clinical alternatives to incarceration for defendants with mental and substance abuse disorders. When appropriate, these services facilitate continuation of treatment, timely referrals and linkage to treatment services in the community and in jail. Licensed mental health professionals located in regional courthouses provide assessment and referral to clinical services for persons with mental health and substance abuse disorders during pre-arraignment lock-up, while out on bond or on a Promise to Appear. Jail Diversion clinicians collaborate with court personnel to ensure that the individual's treatment needs are considered in determining a disposition. The clinician also provides linkage to community and Department of Correction treatment providers to address the individual's treatment needs. These court clinicians also refer to the spectrum of services offered by the Western Connecticut Mental Health Network and its contracted providers to find the best match between individuals and a community services provider.
Contracted Programs
The WCMHN-Waterbury Area has contracts with the following agencies in the Greater Waterbury area: Catholic Charities, Center for Human Development, , Guardian Ad Litem Services, McCalls, Mental Health Connecticut, St. Mary's Hospital, St. Vincent DePaul Society, Supportive Environmental Living Facility, Inc. (SELF) and Waterbury Hospital.
Residential Support Services: Residential Support Services help individuals receiving DMHAS-funded services to find and keep the housing they choose. They also provide case management services such as recovery planning, advocacy and skill building. Individuals receiving services from a residential program will learn to the skills necessary to live in the community, such as cooking, cleaning, shopping and budgeting. The agencies that provide residential services in the Greater Waterbury area are Center for Human Development, Connecticut McCalls, Mental Health Connecticut, Supportive Environmental Living Facility, Inc. (SELF) and St. Vincent DePaul’s.
Employment Services: The goal of Employment Services is to assist individuals in securing and maintaining competitive employment. The services support individuals in finding employment opportunities in places that meet their interests and abilities. Employment Services also creates conditions through education, training, and support to assist individuals achieve their goals.
Supported Education: Supported Education Services provide assistance, support and coaching Services needed to facilitate the access, participation and completion of academic or technical courses required for employment. This is accomplished in an array of educational situations including community colleges, universities, adult education (e.g. GED, ESL, computer literacy) and technical training schools. The program providing Supported Education services in the Greater Waterbury area is Mental Health Connecticut.
Psychosocial Services: Mental Health Connecticut, through its social club, the Independence Center, provides social programming assisting clients in improving their social network while building their confidence and self-esteem. The services vary but may include pre-employment activities, social functions, educational events, advocacy, and other community-based activities.
Outpatient Services: Outpatient Services provide ongoing behavioral health and addiction evaluation and assessment, treatment planning, medication management, and individualized recovery oriented, trauma sensitive interventions. Agencies providing these services in the Greater Waterbury area are Waterbury Hospital's Department of Behavioral Health, Community Mental Health Affiliates, Wheeler Clinic, Catholic Charities, McCall, MCCA and WCMHN Waterbury site.
Housing and Homeless Services and Shelter Plus Care: Western Connecticut Mental Health Network offers these services throughout our Network. Our housing program is responsible to administer and manage housing vouchers for an identified population experiencing homelessness. Through support and collaboration with these individuals and non-profit community providers and local landlords we strive to create a successful housing experience and integration for community living. The Shelter Plus Care Program provides rental assistance to persons/families that are homeless with disabilities.
Case Management: Case management services are provided at Catholic Charities in Waterbury for Spanish speaking individuals. These services include assessment, treatment planning and advocacy. Catholic Charities also provides outpatient individual and group clinical services for individuals.
Guardian Ad Litem Services: Guardian Ad Litem Services, Inc. (GALS) works collaboratively with clients, conservators and providers to ensure clients receive the most clinically appropriate services to enhance their recovery.
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