News from Wheeler

Deescalating a youth in crisis requires patience, empathy, and effective communication. In this article learn three steps to help in such situations.

A two-year, $400,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) will help Wheeler improve developmental outcomes for children ages birth through five through increased screenings and follow-up care. Services are offered through its five community health centers in Bristol, Hartford, New Britain, Plainville, and Waterbury.

Wheeler is offering a free six-week virtual Circle of Security® Parenting™ class to teach parents and caregivers how to better understand the needs of children and adolescents, bring joy to families, and promote healthy and positive parenting.

The Wheeler Family Health & Wellness Center at 40 Hart Street, New Britain set the stage for a gathering of more than 40 people yesterday, including federal and state leaders, funders and staff, who discussed the broadening of pediatric mental health care services through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act passed in June of this year.

Beginning in August, our child and adolescent patients at our Family Health & Wellness Centers can get a free backpack and school supplies thanks to the support of the United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut!

The CNA Excellence in the Workplace Award recognizes a workplace that has achieved an environment that 'empowers nurses, promotes professional autonomy and control over nursing practice.'

Connecticut Children's is leading a collaboration with nearly twenty organizations, including Wheeler, on a five-year, cross-sector effort designed to improve the lives of children in North Hartford under a new $30 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

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.

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."

May is National Foster Care Month, a time to consider the many children and youth in need of loving homes and the professionals dedicating to finding foster families.

Students in Bristol Public Schools can access behavioral health services through school-based health clinics and related services provided by Wheeler.

Personal and professional experiences led Daniella and Jose to become foster parents. They understood the need in Connecticut, and they wanted to help. They have been Wheeler foster parents for two years.

February reminds us of the many ways that we can give and receive love. This idea is more important than ever, as we navigate this uncertain time. Wheeler's Allison Casinghino, foster care specialist, explains how to take the first step in becoming a foster parent.

If there's anything we've learned from the past year, it's the power of--and need for--community, particularly communities that work together for a better future that is focused on wellness, justice, and peace for all. Wheeler's new tagline, COMMUNITY | HEALTH | CARE, reflects all of these.

John and Brian Pica-Sneeden always wanted a large family, and they began fostering children 27 years ago. Since then, they have adopted five of their foster children and recently renewed their license with Wheeler to foster LGBTQ youth.