Tel: (860) 826-3366 Fax: (860) 826-3367 Email
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The Community Services Division offers multiple programs and services to the at-risk and troubled youth of the community, as well as to the population of persons with disabilities in the City of New Britain. It is comprised of several professionals in the human services and mental health field, and is guided by two respective legislative bodies, the Commission on Youth & Family Services and the Commission on Persons with disabilities. Organizationally, it is a division of the Parks and Recreation department and is located next door to the Parks and Recreation Department in suite 301. Click the links below for more information:
New Britain Youth & Family Services - "We're All About Kids and Families" Under policies set forth by the Commission on Youth & Family Services, New Britain Youth & Family Services (NBYS) is a multifaceted agency that provides prevention, intervention, treatment, and aftercare services to New Britain's (and in some cases surrounding towns) at-risk and troubled youth population and their families. Its structure is based upon documented needs in the community as well as available funding, of which roughly 80% originate from grant sources. Programs that are operated by NBYS are: Youth Service Bureau: The Youth Service Bureau (YSB) is the nucleus of New Britain Youth & Family Services. As the municipality's central coordinating agency dedicated to children and youth, the YSB offers the following services & programs.
Systems of Care - Care Coordination: Children and youth in the greater New Britain area referred for severe behavioral and/or psychiatric issues and diagnosed (or diagnosable) are served by Care Coordinators who provide critical case management and networking with service providers, state agencies, and other systems. Families of these children are seen as the key decision makers, rather than "the system", and are an integral part of the treatment their children. A multitude of available services help keep children in the community, avoiding costly out of district placement and separation from the family environment. Community service providers, business, faith based institutions and others meet monthly to help identify needs and choreograph services for SOC referred children and their families. Care coordinators work daily to make certain that the needs of youth and families are met, and referred youth are able to succeed in home, school, and community environments. Independent Living Skills Program: Youth aged 15 _ to 18 that referred by the Department of Children and Families (and up to 2 youth per year from the City of Bristol) are taught community life skills in order to transition from youth to adulthood. Typically, these young people come from group homes, treatment centers, foster care, or other settings rather than a home setting. The custodial entity is often the Department of Children and Families. Most youth are New Britain residents, but may also come from surrounding catchment area towns served by DCF. Youth are taught a comprehensive array of life skills, including both tangible (e.g. getting a license, job skills, acquiring an apartment, money management, etc.) and intangible skills (decision making, sexuality, values, etc.). This program also provides counseling when needed, as well as extended aftercare for its participants. Classes for the ILS program are May through August and October through March respectively. The ILS program has won the esteemed Connecticut Youth Services Program of the Year Award, and has been presented at several national conferences as an exemplary model. Juvenile Review Board: New Britain youth, referred by local and surrounding town police departments, who are first time offenders and have committed nonviolent misdemeanors are diverted from the juvenile justice system (Juvenile Court). In doing so, parents and youth waive their rights to a trial and are brought before the JRB. An intake and counseling/social work professional evaluate the child, family, school behavior and any other necessary information and present the case before a group of school, police, human service providers, court representatives, faith based service providers, and child protection professionals. Interventions are made that benefit the child, including counseling, community service, restitution, and in some cases DCF intervention. Substance-Free Family Day Celebration: This event draws thousands to beautiful Walnut Hill Park for a celebration of a healthy lifestyle without alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. A community-wide event that is supported by over 20 different local agencies, "Family Day" mixes a drug-free lifestyle with fun, food, music, games, dance, arts, contests and more! Plus health booths distribute information about prevention, intervention, and treatment, so there is a great deal of valuable information available. With months of preparation, "Family day" takes place once per year in September, and is advertised in local media and via flyer distribution in schools. Come and see, hear, feel, and enjoy the festivities while living a substance-free lifestyle! Commission on Youth & Family Services Annual Awards Breakfast: Each year, Community Services staff assists the Commission in awarding those who have given of their time, energy, and resources on behalf of youth. Awards are in four categories:
On occasion, when warranted and at the Commission's will, a special Lifetime Achievement Award is bestowed on an individual who has dedicated multiple years of service on behalf of young people. A large display case, with all award recipients' names, greets City Hall visitors adjacent to the Town and City Clerk's Office. New Britain Youth & Family Services accepts referrals from community agencies, schools, municipal departments (e.g. Fire Dept, Police Dept., Parks and Recreation Dept.), parents, or individual walk-ins. All services are confidential and are compliant the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Youth Service Agency Links
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Copyright 2006 City of New Britain