News from Wheeler

Here’s a brief message from Allison Casinghino, Wheeler’s senior foster care recruiter, about how individuals and families can help a child or youth through foster care.

Wheeler Health has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Behavioral Health Accreditation in numerous programs by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards.

Wheeler’s commitment to person-centered, trauma-informed care is on full display in two vital programs for women navigating substance use recovery: REACH (Recovery, Engagement, Access, Coaching, and Healing) and PROUD (Parents Recovering from Opioid Use Disorder). While distinct in structure and scope, both programs offer voluntary, compassionate support tailored to the unique needs of each individual.

In May, members of Wheeler's senior leadership team will enjoy cold buckets of water over their head to support mental health awareness, and raise funds for Wheeler.

Accessing same-day, walk-in primary care is now easier than ever for the Bristol and Waterbury communities.

Wheeler has announced it has earned the 2025 USA TODAY Top Workplaces award. Issued by Energage, a purpose-driven organization that develops solutions to build and brand Top Workplaces, the Top Workplaces program has a 15-year history of surveying more than 20 million employees and recognizing the top organizations across 60 markets for regional Top Workplaces awards. 

From “Poopons” that incentivize patients to do colorectal screenings, to deep dives into the patient check-in process, Wheeler staff routinely work across disciplines in continuous quality improvement (CQI) teams to improve health outcomes in our patients.

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

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.

To provide same-day assessments and rapid access to follow-up care, Wheeler Health has been awarded a $600,000 federal grant as part of a $4.2-million funding package distributed to seven community health centers across Connecticut.

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.