News from Wheeler

For more than 16 years, Wheeler’s Mobile Crisis Intervention Services (MCIS) program has served children and youth in the Greater Hartford region, right in their homes, schools, and communities. This approach helps to divert unnecessary visits to the emergency room or inpatient hospital stays.

Here are links to recent news stories highlighting federal-level funding developments and short- and longer-term impact on community health centers in Connecticut.

Garrett entered his senior year of high school with the goal of attending college. However, the track-and-field athlete needed assistance in getting over some hurdles to reach his goals. He was referred to LifeSet, which is called Transitional Supports for Emerging Adults (TSEA) in Connecticut.

Every day, across the state, dozens of Wheeler clinicians step out of their cars, ring a doorbell, and change lives in the most intimate setting, a family’s home.

A short video with Sharon Pendleton-Ponzani, director, Wheeler Foster Care Programs, highlights the need for loving foster homes in Connecticut and what individuals and families can do to help.

Valerie Fusco, a pediatric LPN for Wheeler's Susan Walkama Family Health & Wellness Center in Hartford, received the organization's second annual Ethics & Integrity Award. Valerie was nominated by her peers as part of the 2024 Health Care Compliance Association’s Corporate Compliance & Ethics week, November 3 through 9.

Sharon Pendleton-Ponzani, director, Wheeler’s Foster Care program, was a guest on Connoisseur Media’s “For the People Radio” show on November 17, where she highlighted Wheeler’s foster care programs and discussed the significance of National Adoption Month.

November is National Adoption Month, which is designed to raise awareness about the critical need for adoptive families for children and youth in foster care. It’s also a time to consider the urgent need for foster homes for hundreds of children and youth in Connecticut.

Wheeler Health has announced a $110,000 grant from the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation. The funds will support the “Walk With Me” program at its Family Health & Wellness centers in Hartford, New Britain, Plainville, and Waterbury, Connecticut, and extend the program and its services to Wheeler’s Bristol, Connecticut, center.

Wheeler Health has begun its first residency program for nurse practitioners and physician assistants, designed to cultivate clinical leaders in community health.

Daniel Melchor, LCSW, integrated care supervisor at the Wheeler Family Health & Wellness Center in Waterbury, recently sat with NBC Connecticut and Telemundo to discuss how to manage anxiety and stress in these turbulent times.

Four years ago, Amy Borg’s empty nest in a central Connecticut suburb offered an opportune time to become a foster parent. But her desire to help youth, especially girls, began long before then.

Wheeler Health is a 2024 Top Workplaces recipient by Hartford Courant Top Workplaces, based on confidential employee feedback.

Wheeler’s 39th Annual Golf Classic at the Country Club of Farmington netted about $60,000, thanks to the generosity of more than 150 golfers, sponsors, volunteers, and friends. Proceeds will support Wheeler’s Basic Needs Fund.

Pregnant and parenting women with substance use issues and their families can access recovery resources, behavioral health, primary care, and additional supports through Wheeler’s Women’s REACH program (Recovery, Engagement, Access, Coaching & Healing).