We strive to meet the ever-changing needs of our community and structure our work to focus on both prevention and intervention. In fiscal year 2018 alone, Youth and Family Services worked with more than 2,800 children, adults, and families.
For nearly four decades, the Town of West Hartford has entrusted us to be its designated Youth Service Bureau, and we take our commitment to caring for the mental health and well-being of the community's youth and families very seriously. Christopher Dutton, our Clinical Director of Community and School Services, works collaboratively with school personnel, law enforcement, non-profit colleagues in the community, and other organizations dedicated to the strengthening of our community. He helps us keep our fingers on the pulse of the needs of our area, and we adjust our programming to meet those needs.
The Town of West Hartford designated the Bridge Family Center as its Youth Service Bureau responsible for assessment, resource development, community involvement, and advocacy on behalf of children, youth, and families. Our alliance with town leaders allows us to provide the following comprehensive prevention and intervention services for West Hartford residents:
The Bridge offers the following school-based services in collaboration with school staff:
Positive Youth Development Programming
The Bridge's Positive Youth Development programs focus on young peoples' strengths and offer them hope for the future. They aim to foster in young people a sense of competence, usefulness, and belonging. Most groups are held at West Hartford Public Schools, though some meet at the Hillcrest Neighborhood Center. They are designed to facilitate the development of life skills such as leadership, decision-making, stress and anger management, communication, and problem solving. Examples of youth groups:
Mentoring is offered in school to middle and high school girls and boys who could benefit from having a positive role model in their lives. Meet one of our mentors: Jonathan Merritt.
West Hartford Teen Center
Click here to learn more about this special place and stay informed of any summer programming offered by our Teen Center staff. The Teen Center is run by Jonathan Merritt, a kid magnet adored by kids, parents, and teachers throughout the Town of West Hartford.
Counseling and Parenting Support
Most parents will say that being a parent is the hardest thing they have ever done. Parents, you are not alone! Our counseling team is here to support you as an individual as you support your child and build your parenting toolkit. We are also here if you are co-parenting or need family-wide support. Whether you could just use a little help through a phase or to prepare for the next stage of your or your child's life, or you are in full crisis with serious and immediate needs, we can help. Not only does our counseling team have a depth of experience, we have also been offering residential support for high-risk children and teens for 50 years, so that experience with trauma also informs our work.
If you aren't in need of counseling, but you wish to receive parenting information, request our Every Family newsletter. It is sent out twice a year on topics of interest to parents.