A Word from the President/CEO  

Welcome to the inaugural issue of The CFGC Compass Guide, a newsletter spotlighting our programs at The Child and Family Guidance Center, and providing essential information about child mental health and family support services for our friends and supporters.

Since September is National Recovery Month we wanted to focus this issue’s attention on our Turning Point Regional Adolescent Substance Abuse Program: how it’s implemented, how much it turns young lives around. The National Recovery Month tagline is Prevention Works: Treatment is Effective : People Recover. I think you will agree when you read more about Turning Point how true those words of hope are.

September is also Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and we want to take this opportunity to give you some important information. Our Outpatient, Mobile Crisis Team, every clinician and intake staff person is trained in Suicide Risk Assessment

This month and next we will be raising awareness and funds for children and families as World Mental Health Day, October 10th approaches. The World Health Organization has dedicated this year’s theme to Young People and Mental Health in Changing World. You can learn more about how you can be a part of this important way to make a difference on page

Anyone coming to The Child and Family Guidance Center for the first time will see our name in big blue letters on the sign outside. Right underneath our name is a promise: “helping kids and families today for a better tomorrow.”  It’s a promise of positive change, of guided, healthy change. You can be a part of that promise too, with awareness and small steps that support our work.  Together, we can all make a difference in the lives of children in Connecticut.

With my very best regards,

Michael Patota, CEO/President

The Child and Family Guidance Center       

IN THIS ISSUE:

->Turning Substance Abuse Around: Turning Point Regional Adolescent Abuse Program

->Collaborative Documentation: Perspectives

->Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

->World Mental Health Day: Young People and Mental Health in a Changing World

->Give a Big Hand for our Big Hearts

Turning Substance Abuse Around: Turning Point Regional Adolescent Substance Abuse Program

We caught up with Program Director, Donna Fletcher LADC, AADC to talk about the history of Turning Point since the center earned a grant to implement A-CRA in 2013. “We use an evidence based model that’s been in use since the 1970s,” she says. “It was a model originally used for adults, actually homeless adults in New Mexico.” 

Since then, “A-CRA” has gained traction around the world, and found to be helpful to adolescents too. “The basic idea is to help people retrain their thinking such that they turn to alternatives within their community for positive and social involvement without the use of drugs."

Just recently, Turning Point has received grant funding to implement the SMART Recovery Program, an evidence-based model that will strengthen and complement the existing program using tested curricula, peer and family group meetings, and pro-social activities

Having approximately 48 youths meet their treatment goals annually since A-CRA was introduced 5 years ago, she states, “We’ve had a number of successes. We measure for…improved school performance, reduction and abstinence from drugs…no more episodes with the juvenile justice program, and better relationships in the home.”

Thanks to Peoples Securities for their annual Back to School

BackPack Drive

Once again, a generous team of volunteers from Peoples Securities funded and organized a backpack drive for children in need at The Child and Family Guidance Center. In early August, clinicians made their requests for families on their caseload who are having profound challenges making ends meet. In total 28 backpacks were purchased, filled with school-required supplies and delivered before the start of school. Children from pre-k through high school could then start their first day back prepared, and carrying new, sturdy, great looking backpacks they could feel good about.

To find out more about how your business or organization can support children and families who need mental health services, email Hannah Albee, Director of Development and Communications at halbee@cfguidance.org or call: 203-394-6529 x3069

This summer our generous Board of Directors treated us to an employee appreciation event with the generous support of  The Downtown Cabaret Theatre and Super Duper Weenie Truck. 

Notes from the field:

Collaborative Documentation: Perspectives from Clinicians and Clients

We piloted Collaborative Documentation in June to improve client engagement and involvement, an improve treatment outcomes. Clinicians Jenna Olenoski and Rose D’Amico shared how it's working out for them in both the clinic and in-home settings.

“The note becomes more personable when you are actually having the children and family involved rather than going back to the office when they are not in front of you,” says Jenna Olenoski who works with families in their home. “I ask them - how did they think they did today, or ‘what did you think we did in session today?’ … I’ll recap by reading the note out loud and then I will say, ‘Is there anything you’d like me to add, or delete?’”

Jenna gets to confirm the content of their work together, too. “I’m actually surprised at the responses that I’m getting,” Jenna says. “If I go in and I’m teaching anger management or if we’re just talking about family history … all the kids, they’re able to recap.”

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

Here are some key statistics, information from the Centers for Disease Control relating to Youth Suicide and key prevention tools

"Suicide is the third leading cause of death for youth between the ages of 10 and 24, and results in approximately 4,600 lives lost each year… A nationwide survey of high school students in the United States found that 16% of students reported seriously considering suicide, 13% reported creating a plan, and 8% reporting trying to take their own life in the 12 months preceding the survey."

From now through World Mental Health Day on October 10th, we invite you to join in with us as we raise awareness and much-needed funds.

The  World Health Organization has designated this year's theme to "Youth Mental Health in a Changing World". By joining this campaign, you can raise awareness using any or all of the tools we suggest. Let us know what you are doing and we will help you to boost your efforts.You can learn more and sign up by clicking on the button below. 

From the World Health Organization website: 

"The expanding use of online technologies, while undoubtedly bringing many benefits, can also bring additional pressures, as connectivity to virtual networks at any time of the day and night grows. Many adolescents are also living in areas affected by humanitarian emergencies such as conflicts, natural disasters and epidemics. Young people living in situations such as these are particularly vulnerable to mental distress and illness."