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Joe
Courtney Co-sponsors Gambling Bill After Wheeler Clinic Visit
 United
States Congressman Joe Courtney paid a special visit to Wheeler
Clinic August 27, resulting in his co-sponsorship of a
bill before Congress supporting new legislation for gambling
addiction treatment and prevention services. Courtney accepted
an invitation by Donna Zaharevitz, peer counselor of the clinic's
Bettor Choice
Gambling Treatment Program in Hartford,
to discuss
services
for people with gambling addictions, listen to the stories of
current clients, and ask for his support of the Comprehensive
Problem Gambling Act, or H.R. Bill 2906.
"We
were very honored Congressman Courtney took the time to come
and speak with us, and we are
thrilled he has formally announced his support by co-sponsoring
this bill," said Donna. On September 17, Donna went to Washington,
D.C. to speak about her life as a recovered problem gambler at
a special press conference and legislative staff briefing on
Capitol Hill.
Problem
gambling is becoming a major public health issue. According
to the National Council
on Problem
Gambling, six to nine million people (3 to 4 percent of adults)
meet the
criteria
for
having
a gambling
problem.
In Connecticut that figure jumps to an estimated six percent,
or over 160,000 individuals. There
is a gap in services for people struggling with problem gambling,
and the National Council on
Problem Gambling and others have advocated for years
for expanding much-needed services. The new bill will give
authority to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration
(SAMHSA) to act as the lead agency in coordinating Federal action
on the issue, and provide $14.2 million
in grants per year to non-profits and state agencies for prevention,
research
and treatment.
To learn more about the Bettor Choice Gambling Treatment Program of Wheeler
Clinic call (860) 523-9788 or visit our webpage.
Pictured above (l to r):
Melanie Burton, LCSW, associate director of adult mental
health and
recovery services for Wheeler Clinic; Lori Rugle Ph.D.,
director of problem gambling services for the Connecticut Department
of Mental Health and Addiction Services; U.S. Congressman
Joe Courtney and Donna Zaharevitz.
JRRC Says
YES!
 The
State of Connecticut has made some changes to help improve
services for youth in the juvenile justice system in response
to advocacy within the juvenile justice community. In 2005,
Juvenile Risk Reduction Centers (JRRC's) were created by the
Court Support Services Division to provide therapeutic intervention
to juveniles. In 2007, the state established Family Support
Centers as a multi-service "one stop center" for
Families with Service Needs (FWSNs) to provide timely access
to services. Both programs were designed to reduce recidivism
and keep juveniles out of the court system. Wheeler Clinic
currently has a JRRC in New Britain and a Family Support Center
(FSC) in Hartford.
Now, a new program called Youth Equipped for Success, or YES!, builds on and
replaces the JRRC model and incorporates some of the tenets and service options
of the FSC that will serve juveniles, youth referred by probation and FSWNs.
Previously a center-based program, the new YES! Program will expand JRRC's
to offer home-based treatment as well.
What does this mean for Wheeler Clinic? The New Britain JRRC, located at 114
West Main Street, will change it's name to the YES! Program, add two staff
members, and serve up to 220 juveniles, youth, and FWSNs per year. Clients
will receive screening, assessment, case management, intervention (group and/or
family therapy) and/or referral services. Center-based services include evidence-based
and gender-responsive groups designed to help clients with aggressive behavior,
substance use, trauma-related symptoms, and community violence. In-home interventions
incorporate Brief Strategic Family Therapy that helps parents develop effective
parenting skills and improves family communication.
For more information about the YES! Program, please feel free to contact Lisa
Persaud, Psy.D. at (860) 348-1677 ext. 225, or via e-mail.
United Way of West Central
CT Funds New Services
 United
Way of West Central Connecticut awarded Wheeler Clinic funding
for three initiatives serving residents of Bristol, Plainville,
Burlington and Plymouth by United Way of West Central Connecticut.
- Senior Emotional Health Outreach Plus Care Program, has
been managed by the Prevention, Wellness and Recovery department
since 2006. The clinic is partnering with Care Management
Associates,
(a division of Connecticut Community Care, Inc.), and the
Greater Bristol Visiting Nurse Association, expanding the
program to
provide area seniors with a comprehensive array of in-home
mental health and care management services. For more information,
call Laura Minor at (860) 793-2164 or e-mail.
- The
Children's Trauma Care Initiative serves
children
exposed to trauma including physical or emotional
abuse, sexual abuse, family violence, parental substance
use and other types of traumatic experience. Contact Bill
Kania
at (860) 793-3567, or e-mail him,
to learn more.
- The Early Childhood Family Support Initiative is the
third new service the clinic will provide for families
whose children
are evaluated by Birth to Three, but do not qualify for
the program. These families will receive developmental
guidance,
connection to other resources, and education on how to
effectively nurture their child. To find out more, call
Susan Harrington
at (860) 793-3750, or feel free to e-mail.
This funding reflects an incredible 80% increase in funding
from United Way of West Central Connecticut.
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