Waterbury

CJR’s Waterbury MDFT Program accepts referrals from the Danbury, Torrington and Waterbury Courts (DCF Region 5), and is funded by the Department of Children and Families (DCF). The program identifies risk factors and provides strength-based practices to develop and initiate strategies to offset and eliminate both substance abuse and anti-social patterns of behavior among the youngsters being served and their families. Services are offered for a 4 to 6 month period and although each phase of treatment has specific parameters, clients may move between phases as their specific life situation presents changes and challenges. Unique to this model is a parental substance abuse and HIV prevention curriculum. This program serves approximately 24 children and families annually.

For more information, please contact Meghan Benjamin, LPC, Program Director: mbenjamin@cjryouth.org

CJR's Multi-Systemic Therapy-Family Integrated Therapy (MST-FIT) Program works with youth residing in residential juvenile justice facilities at the time of referral. MST-FIT accepts boys and girls, ages 12-18, from communities across Connecticut.

MST-FIT uses Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and delivers services in a variety of settings (home, school, community, residential facilities) to effect change across multiple systems simultaneously. The program is designed to reduce criminal and antisocial behaviors; to empower the family to develop and use proactive parenting skills; and to decrease the likelihood of new arrests or residential placements.

All family members and anyone within the youth's sphere of influence are encouraged to participate in treatment, which is conducted over a treatment period of three to six months. During this time, MST-FIT therapists conduct sessions with referred young people and families in the community three to five times a week. Therapists are available to families 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to provide support during any crises that occur.

Youth should be referred to MST-FIT approximately two months prior to discharge from a residential placement, so therapists can work with the parents in the family home and with the youth and their residential treatment team simultaneously. This is a key feature of MST-FIT adaptation and supports youth and families as young people transition back to the community from residential placements and ensures that DBT skills learned during placement and are reinforced at home. This program serves up to 60 boys, girls and their families annually.

For more information, please contact Monty Sabolcik, LCSW, Program Director: msabolcik@cjryouth.org.

CJR's Re-Entry, Goal-oriented, Individualized, Opportunity to Nurture Success (REGIONS) Program provides residential services for boys, ages 14 to 18, for up to six months, depending on individual needs. An additional four months of aftercare ensures continued support following discharge from the program.

Located at CJR's 80 Prospect Street campus in Waterbury, the eight-bed REGIONS Program is funded by the Judicial Branch Court Support Services Division (JBCSSD). REGIONS provides JBCSSD-referred youth with an array of comprehensive services, including academic and vocational education, as well as therapeutic and recreational programs designed to improve social skills and promote the successful return of each boy to his home and community.

REGIONS incorporates family therapy and evidence-based treatment models to address potential underlying issues in each boy's home and community. Youth are assigned a clinician to provide treatment as well as a reintegration mentor to act as a case manager to help them achieve identified goals, such as improving academic performance, preparing for employment and initiating pro-social activities. CJR's REGIONS staff provides a home-like atmosphere that encourages relationship building, responsibility and restorative practices. Each student is offered comprehensive on-site educational services, as well as vocational opportunities in Waterbury and on CJR's Litchfield campus.

For more information, please contact Cassandra Reyes, LCSW, Program Director: creyes@cjryouth.org

CJR’s Teen Outreach Program (TOP) is funded by the Department of Social Services (DSS), and is provided for Waterbury middle and high school students, ages 12 to 17, with a capacity of 50 students at any given time. This program consists of three interrelated components: supervised community service; group discussions; and activities related to key social and developmental tasks of adolescence. In each program component, youth work in small groups with a facilitator. Values, human growth and development, relationships, and dealing with family stress and issues relating to the social and emotional transition from adolescence to adulthood are discussed. In these sessions, participating boys and girls develop communication and decision-making skills. Service learning projects are developed with input from students and are then implemented within their home environments. These projects combine education and community service and empower young people to be successful. Program services are provided in the Waterbury Public Schools. CJR raises funds to provide a work-based learning summer program for qualified applicants associated with the TOP Program.

For more information please contact Greg Neal, Program Coordinator: gneal@cjryouth.org.

The Connecticut Junior Republic’s Behavioral Health and Wellness Center provides behavioral health services for children, youth and families at many CJR locations across the state.

Staffed by skilled clinicians, Wellness Center resources include psychiatrists, Marriage and Family Therapists, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, and Licensed Professional Counselors, who are equipped to help children, youth and families address an array of concerns, including substance abuse issues; family conflict; family mediation issues; developmental adjustment issues; school related and parenting issues; and trauma-related issues.

The CJR staff is trained to work with particularly challenging at-risk and special needs children and youth and their families, and a number of clinicians are certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT).

Referrals may be made directly by the individuals seeking services; through a CJR program or service; or by other organizations in the community. Click here for a referral form.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Grant, MSW, LCSW, Director of Behavioral Health Services: jgrant@cjryouth.org