BHcare awarded prestigious 2-year, $4M grant to expand services

BHcare was awarded a prestigious new Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grant in recognition of its comprehensive range of services for children, families, and adults who are struggling with mental illness, behavioral disorders, and substance use disorder. 

This two-year, $4 million Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Expansion Grant will allow BHcare to enhance and expand its vital range of services including 24/7 mobile crisis services, Assertive Community Treatment, and integrated, on-site primary care. 

BHcare is proud to be one of four organizations in the state that was awarded this non-emergency, federally appropriated CCBHC funding.

CCBHCs provide a comprehensive scope of services that create access, stabilize people in crisis, and provide the needed treatment and recovery support services for those with serious and complex mental health and substance use disorders. 

CCBHCs serve children, adolescents, teens, adults and seniors in one location.

“We are excited and honored to receive the CCBHC funding,” said Roberta J. Cook, President/CEO, BHcare. 

“The grant will allow us to reach more children, families and adults who are struggling with substance use disorder, mental illness and behavioral issues, and expand our programming to meet their needs.  CCBHCs are the future and I’m proud to bring these critical and integrated services to our communities in the Valley and on the Shoreline.”

BHcare is a regional community provider of behavioral health, addiction prevention, and domestic violence services for the Lower Naugatuck Valley, Greater New Haven and Shoreline communities. 

BHcare’s family of services include The Alliance for Prevention and Wellness, the Parent Child Resource Center, the HOPE Family Justice Center, and The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services. 

For more information, visit https://bhcare.org/. 

This is a press release from BHcare.

Conroy backs Family-to-Family program planned in Naugatuck

Course to help caregivers of mentally ill
State Rep. Theresa Conroy  D-Seymour, urged constituents who care for family members with mental illness to consider attending an upcoming 12-week program by the National Alliance on Mental Illness in Naugatuck beginning Feb. 5.

Theresa Conroy

NAMI’s Family-To-Family Educational Program is a 12-week program for loved ones, family and friends of individuals who have a mental illness. This course is taught by trained volunteers.  All instruction and course materials are free to class participants.  

The World Health Organization predicts that by 2020, mental illness will be the second leading cause of disability worldwide.  In the United States one in four adults experiences a diagnosable mental disorder in any given year and one child in 10 has a serious mental or emotional disorder. 

“Family members who care for a loved one need support and guidance,” Conroy said. “NAMI’s Family-To-Family Educational Program can help provide caregivers with the tools they need.” 

Class curriculum includes:

Current information about mental illnesses

Up-to-date information about medications, side effects and strategies for medication adherence

Special workshops for problem solving, listening and communication skills

Strategies for handling crises and relapse

Caregiver coping skills for stress and emotional overload

Guidance to locate supports and services in the community

Information on advocacy initiatives designed to improve and expand services

For more information, or to register, call Terrilynn Krampetz, 203-881-2707.