News from Wheeler

September 15-October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month, an opportunity for us to continue our Visibility Campaign series and revisit our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This month we will increase visibility of our Hispanic staff. Today's spotlight goes to Naisha Ortiz, BS, intervention specialist.

Wheeler has received a five-year, $2.6-million federal grant to expand and enhance access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and recovery supports for adults in Waterbury with opioid use disorders.

Wheeler’s Melissa Mendez, LCSW, IMH-E, director of Early Childhood Programs, and Kim Holyst, LCSW, director of Behavioral Health, are part of a Connecticut Health Investigative Team story that explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on child and adolescent mental health.

September 15–October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month, an opportunity for us to continue our Visibility Campaign series and revisit our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This month we will increase visibility of our Hispanic staff. Today's spotlight goes to Tina Loarte-Rodriguez, MSN, RN, CPPS, CPHRM, vice president of nursing and laboratory director.

On Wednesday, September 15, more than 130 golfers, sponsors, and volunteers participated in Wheeler’s 36th Annual Golf Classic, presented by Mutual of America Financial Group, at the Country Club of Farmington, raising $52,000 to support individuals and families in care through Wheeler’s Basic Needs Fund.

September 15–-October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month, an opportunity for us to continue our Visibility Campaign series and revisit our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This month, we will increase visibility of our Hispanic staff. Today's spotlight goes to Yadira Negrón, an Explore Program and Family Violence-Adult Services group facilitator.

Jessica Masterson RDN, CDEN, CDCES, appeared on Connoisseur Media's “For the People” radio program and highlighted Wheeler's fall pediatric nutrition/cooking series.

Victoria Prestileo, LCSW, associate director, Wheeler Community-Based Services, was part of a Zip06 news story featuring the South Central Network of Care’s Substance Use Resource Guide Entity (SURGE) initiative, a group of individuals and organizations seeking to connect young people and their families with substance use resources.

Our dear partners at the Mott Corporation joined the Connecticut Clearinghouse, other Wheeler staff, the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and advocates from across the state to place 1,374 white flags along the south walkway of the State Capitol.

Our Melissa Mendez, LCSW, IMH-E, Director of Early Childhood Programs at Wheeler, participated in a August 26 virtual event from the YWCA Hartford Region, "Back to School: A Conversation Unpacking the Mental Backpack."

Marian Acker, CPA, Vice President and Controller for Barnes Group Inc., can look across the street from her office building and see a vision for Wheeler’s future, where the organization is aiming to consolidate both of its existing Bristol Family Health & Wellness Centers, as well as administrative offices, into a new flagship facility.

We are driven to expand access to care, ensure that it is delivered equitably, and measure the impact of our work in the lives saved and transformed through our services and programs.

Wheeler President and Chief Executive Officer, Sabrina Trocchi, PhD, MPA, and Stephanie Almada, peer recovery support specialist, took part in WNPR’s August 6 “Where We Live” program and discussed the impact of COVID-19 and other factors on behavioral health and substance use; strategies for reducing stigma; the purpose and benefits of medication-assisted treatment (MAT); and priorities for addressing these issues moving forward.

The back-to-school season can be stressful for foster families under the best of circumstances. Read more about how foster parents can help prepare their child or youth for the road ahead.

Wheeler is hosting a virtual job fair on August 5, 2021, from 3 – 7 pm. The organization is hiring masters-level clinicians (LCSW, LMFT, LPC, LMSW, LMFTA, LPCA), as well as bachelor-level case managers for its in-home programs, with a focus on positions in Bridgeport, New Haven, and Waterbury.