American Legion Post 16 in Shelton slates Veterans Day services

 

Senior Fair set for today at Warsaw Park in Ansonia

 

Hewitt Foundation donates $1M for EmPATH unit at Griffin Hospital in Derby

An EmPATH unit that will offer a new approach in behavioral health is planned at Griffin Hospital in Derby.

DERBY - A $1 million gift from The Hewitt Foundation has enabled the establishment of Connecticut's first Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment, and Healing (EmPATH) Unit at Griffin Hospital.

This pioneering unit represents a bold step forward in addressing the growing demand for mental health crisis services, offering specialized help to Connecticut residents in desperate need of specialized care. 

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 41% of adults in Connecticut have experienced symptoms of anxiety or depression, while 121,000 adults are living with serious mental illness.

“The Hewitt Foundation is honored to support Griffin’s pioneering efforts in behavioral health crisis care,” said Harry P. DiAdamo, treasurer of the Hewitt Foundation. “We encourage individuals, foundations, and businesses to join us in making this vision a reality and in ensuring a healthier future for those desperately in need of focused and compassionate help.”

With a shortage of behavioral health services statewide, individuals in emotional crisis are often brought to hospital emergency departments (EDs) by crisis centers, law enforcement, and well-meaning family members. 

However, EDs are limited in their ability to provide the therapeutic care required, leaving many without the specialized support they urgently need.

“Over the past three years, mental health crisis cases at Griffin Hospital’s Emergency Department have surged by 50%, with one in seven patients seeking crisis care,” said Maria Dawe, MD, Chair of the Griffin Health Psychiatry Department. “This influx not only overwhelms our capacity - it delays care for all patients.

“The EmPATH Unit will expand services for community members in psychiatric crisis with a compassionate, dignified and patient-focused approach in a specially designed and reserved environment. This approach exclusively focuses on improving and expediting positive outcomes.”

An EmPATH Unit represents a new approach in behavioral healthcare, offering a calming therapeutic space for patients in emotional crisis. Unlike traditional EDs, this unit prioritizes rapid, personalized care in a soothing 4,300 square-foot environment that includes a large, open common space with high ceilings, natural light, exterior views, and soothing décor. 

Staffed by psychiatrists, social workers, and trained nurses, the EmPATH Unit will feature sensory rooms with patient-controlled lighting and music, which will act as a safe space to help regulate emotions, tables for socializing, a nourishment station for snacks, shower room, and physician consultation and family rooms for visitors.

The evidence for this approach is compelling. Similar pioneering units across the country have stabilized 75% of patients experiencing psychiatric emergencies in less than 24 hours, reducing the need for hospitalization, and decreased crisis readmissions by 25%, all while eliminating many of the traumatic aspects of traditional emergency psychiatric care.

Recognition opportunities for visionary donors 

Additional support is needed to fully realize Griffin’s transformative vision. 

By joining this effort, donors have a rare opportunity to be part of a revolutionary approach to mental health care that will serve as a model throughout Connecticut and beyond. Donors will also have a special opportunity to be recognized within this innovative space through naming options, including the main treatment area and individual healing rooms.

To view an insightful video and learn more about the EmPATH Unit as well as naming opportunities, visit griffinhealth.org/supportempath or contact Griffin Hospital Development Fund Executive Director Kristy Jelenik at kjelenik@griffinhealth.org or 203-732-7539.

This is a press release from Griffin Health.

Ansonia Library to host DMV community event Thursday

 

Derby Public Library offers variety of resources for teens

DERBY - With libraries across the country celebrating "Teen-Tober" this month and with school back in full swing, just a reminder to our YA/Teens that Derby Public Library has a plethora of helpful resources for your academic and real-world aspirations:

They include online databases/apps such as:

- LearningExpress Library™ - for improved proficiency in math, science, technology and social studies; for SAT prep; to expand computer & workplace skills

- College Droid for students interested in pursuing academics after high school

- Teen Book Cloud - an online collection of e-books, enhanced novels, graphic novels, videos and audio books with an amazing range of content for all reading levels.

- Mango(R) - to prepare teens for realistic conversations and communication in over 70 world languages.

Plus, our on-site Teen Zone is replete with YA fiction and non-fiction books, dedicated PCs, free Wi-Fi, and mobile device workstations.

And, of course, there are always our ongoing Game Times and Advisory Board Meetings to help teens decompress and have a say in what programs they'd like to see held at DPL.

So feel free to stop by or give our YA/Teen Librarian, Tony DeLos, a call at (203) 736-1482 or email us at dplreference@biblio.org to take full advantage of everything DPL has to offer for Young Adults.

The Library is at 313 Elizabeth St.

This is shared from the Library's Facebook page.

Derby Public Library to host DMV in-person services May 15

 

Ansonia First United Methodist Church posts Lenten events in region

First United Methodist Church, 47 Franklin St., Ansonia./ File photo

The Valley Cooperative Parish of Methodist churches has scheduled the following events during the Lenten season:

• Feb 14, 7 p.m. Woodbury UMC

Ash Wednesday Services

• Feb. 27, 6 p.m. Woodbury UMC

Soup 'n Bread Supper, Taize Worship

• March 12, 6 p.m. Ansonia UMC

Soup 'n Bread Supper, Worship

• March 28, 7 p.m. UMC of Waterbury

Maundy Thursday Service

• March 29, 7 p.m. Naugatuck UMC

Good Friday Service

American Legion Post 16 to hold ceremony at Veterans Park in Shelton

“What we now call ‘Veterans Day’ began as ‘Armistice Day.’ It is historically significant that this day continues to be observed on the month, day, and hour that the guns fell silent at the end of World War I, on November 11, 1918, at 11:00 AM.”

To mark Veterans Day in Shelton, American Legion Sutter-Terlizzi Post 16 will conduct its annual Veterans Day Program today, November 11.

Ceremonies are open to the public and will begin at 10:30 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park in Shelton. This ceremony will be followed by a service at 11:30 a.m. at Post 16, 295 Old Bridgeport Ave. All are welcome to join in the ceremony at the Post.

American Legion Post 16 of Shelton strives to be a hub for patriotic programs, youth activities, and veterans helping veterans.

New members are always welcome join American Legion Post 16.

This is shared from the Post's Facebook page.

Klarides-Ditria: Stand Down 2022 scheduled at 5 regional sites in CT

The Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs has announced Veterans STAND DOWN 2022 will be held Sept. 23 from 8 a.m.-2 pm. at five regional sites across the state.

While the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way agencies and organizations operate, the DVA continues its commitment to serving Connecticut’s Veterans by providing access to a range of programs and services offered by state and federal agencies, Veterans organizations, and community-based nonprofits.

Stand Down 2022 includes all National Guard, Reserve, and Active-Duty Personnel serving in Connecticut.

REGIONAL SITES ACROSS CT / IN-PERSON SERVICES

Veterans attending will have access to a variety of in-person services, personal need items, vaccinations, legal services, medical screenings, and meals to go provided by the DVA, Federal VA, Veteran Organizations, many other State & Federal agencies, and community providers.

Click here for a list of services at each location

Danbury - Danbury War Memorial, 1 Memorial Drive.
Bristol - Bristol Sports Armory, 61 Center Street.

Bridgeport - University of Bridgeport, Wheeler Recreational Center, 400 University Ave.
Norwich - Easter Seals Veterans Rally Point, 24 Stott Ave.
Rocky Hill - CTDVA main campus, 287 West Street.

For additional information and to register for Stand Down 2022 please visit: https://portal.ct.gov/DVA/Pages/Veterans-Stand-Down

Sincerely,

This is a press release from Klarides-Ditria's office.

Cornell Scott Hill Health Center to celebrate renovated care site in Ansonia

Crosby Commons in Shelton hosts program on finances for retired veterans

Veterans learn about financial options at Crosby Commons in Shelton./ Contributed photo

SHELTON - Several military veterans and their families attended a recent program at Crosby Commons provided by Veterans Financial. 

The company helps wartime veterans and their surviving spouses learn what eligible income for which they qualify. 

The event saw a large turnout of veterans ranging from retired service members of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marines. 
Many are unaware of the supportive services and financial assistance available to them.

“It is extremely rewarding to offer programs like these to our residents and to Veterans in the public because they so humbly gave their service to our country and to be able to help them financially in their elder years is so very important,” said Kelly Coppola, Activities Director at Crosby Commons.

Veterans Financial provides supportive services and assistance to families by giving them guidance with senior care options and what eligibility they have in receiving financial assistance towards them. 

Most of the veterans were drafted into their respected military branches as it was implemented during wartime. 
Many of the men and women in attendance began their military duties at 18, 19, and 20 years old. 

 “Everybody was drafted at the time. I had four brothers who were in the service,” said Gerry Brown, Crosby Commons resident. “They couldn’t resist, but they got to choose where they wanted to go. They chose their branch- two joined the Navy, one went to the Army and one was a Navy Seabee,” she said. 

The program not only offered insight into what financial programs veterans can apply for, but created a platform for many guests to reminisce. 

“I served in the U.S. Army Air Force and was sent to Montana, served a couple of months there. I then went to Miami Beach, waited for my plane to come in and it brought me to South America, the northern tip of Africa, and then India. I served in India for a little over two years," Michael Gurlides, Crosby Commons resident, said. 

The Wesley Village Campus is located at 580 Long Hill Ave. It includes: Crosby Commons Independent/Assisted Living Community, Wesley Heights Independent/Assisted Living Community, Lifestyle Transitions Assisted Living/Memory Support Community, and Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center. 

The campus is owned and operated by United Methodist Homes, a local, mission-based, not-for-profit organization.

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes. 

Learn about LGBTQ services available at Griffin Hospital in Derby

DERBY- Griffin Hospital will host an informational supper on the LGBTQ services available at the hospital April 4 from 6-8 p.m.

The supper is open to the LGBTQ community, friends and allies to connect with Griffin Health and learn what it can do to provide better care for everyone. 

Topics of discussion include advance care planning, HIV/STD/STI Testing and Counseling, PrEP/PEP for patient at risk for HIV, hormone therapy and monitoring, and gender confirming surgeries.

The event will also feature members of the Griffin Health medical staff who will discuss what specialties they can bring to meet the unique needs of the LGBTQ community. 

The physicians include urologist Dr. Arnold Rivera, endocrinologist Dr. Chi Tang, OB-GYN Dr. Michael Kessler, and plastic surgeon Dr. John Reilly.

There will also be opportunities for questions.

The hospital is at 130 Division St.

To register or for more information, call 203-732-7399 or email griflib@griffinhealth.org.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Seymour Town Clerk's office to offer limited services for week

Veterans Stand Down 2017 slated in Rocky Hill

The event will provide Connecticut veterans with access to federal, state, and local services such as: veterans' benefits, medical, dental, mental health, recovery services, legal, housing, employment, education, and more.

*Information shared from a Connecticut government site.