The Bridge Family Center Inc

TO FOSTER THE COURAGE AND STRENGTH IN CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO MEET LIFE'S CHALLENGES AND BUILD FULFILLING LIVES.

RESIDENTIAL SERVICES - THE BRIDGE OPERATES THREE SHELTERS/SPECIALIZED TRAUMA INFORMED TREATMENT ASSESSMENT REUNIFICATION PROGRAMS (STTAR) HOMES FOR CHILDREN 11-18 YEARS OF AGE WHOSE LIVES ARE IN CRISIS. HOMES ARE LOCATED IN WEST HARTFORD, HARTFORD, AND WOLCOTT. THE WOLCOTT AND HARTFORD HOMES ARE FOR BOYS. THE WEST HARTFORD HOMES IS FOR GIRLS. TWO ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS, ONE IN THE MANCHESTER/ROCKVILLE AREA AND THE OTHER STATE WIDE, HELP OLDER TEENS IN STATE CARE TO MAKE THE TRANSITION TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY THROUGH HOUSING ASSISTANCE AND LIFE SKILLS TRAINING. IN MANCHESTER, THE BRIDGE OPERATES A TRANSITIONAL LIVING APARTMENT PROGRAM THAT ASSISTS YOUNG MEN AGES 16-21 IN DEVELOPING THE SKILLS NECESSARY TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY. THE MOSAIC PARENTLNG CENTER (MPC) PROVIDES STRUCTURED SUPPORT AND COACHING DURING FAMILY VISITATION SESSIONS FOR PARENTS WHO ARE WORKING ON FAMILY REUNIFICATION AFTER A CHILD HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE HOME. IN FY24 APPROXIMATELY 459 YOUTHS AND FAMILIES RECEIVED ASSISTANCE THROUGH RESIDENTIAL AND PARENTING PROGRAMS.

YOUTH, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES - AS THE YOUTH SERVICE BUREAU FOR THE TOWN OF WEST HARTFORD, THE BRIDGE FAMILY CENTER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ASSESSMENT, RESOURCE AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, AND ADVOCACY ON BEHALF OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES. THESE EFFORTS ALLOW THE BRIDGE TO PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING COMPREHENSIVE PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION SERVICES: SCHOOL-BASED SERVICES, POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES, TEEN CENTER, PARENTING PROGRAMS, COUNSELING, AND PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATIONS. THE BRIDGE IS LICENSED AS AN OUTPATIENT PSYCHIATRIC CLINIC BY THE CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AND BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH. BRIDGE THERAPISTS ADDRESS A VARIETY OF CONCERNS AFFECTING CHILDREN AND FAMILIES INCLUDING DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, COPING WITH DIVORCE, AND UNCONTROLLABLE ANGER.IN FY24 APPROXIMATELY 2224 CHILDREN AND ADULTS RECEIVED SERVICES THROUGH YFS. IN FY24, APPROXIMATELY 5760 CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WERE SERVED THROUGH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND MATERIALS.

FAMILY RESOURCE CENTERS: THESE PROGRAMS, LOCATED AT FIVE WEST HARTFORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, PROMOTE FAMILY INVOLVEMENT AND THE SOCIAL AND ACADEMIC COMPETENCE OF CHILDREN THROUGH A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS INCLUDING PARENT EDUCATION, FAMILY COUNSELING, AFTER-SCHOOL ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES, AND EARLY CHILDHOOD INTERVENTION PROGRAMS. IN IN FY24 851 PEOPLE WERE SERVED IN FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER PROGRAMS.