Specialized Trauma-Informed Treatment Assessment and Reunification (STTAR)

We have three Specialized Trauma-Informed Treatment Assessment and Reunification (STTAR) homes in Hartford, West Hartford, Wolcott. 

Teenagers chatting on couch

High-Quality Care For Every Resident

We offer high-quality care for every resident by providing for every need that a child has when she/he enters our program. Basic needs include shelter, food, clothing, medical and dental care, counseling and family reconciliation support, primary education, life skills training, drug and sex education, and recreational and social activities.

The Hartford and Wolcott homes is for boys and the West Hartford homes is for girls. Our STTAR homes have a licensed bed capacity of six (nine in West Hartford) girls or boys ages 11-20. Teenagers in our shelters receive assessment and clinical services in a small, structured home-like setting. The target length of stay for our residents is 30-90 days. A primary responsibility of a STTAR home is to prepare young people for their next placement, whether it is reunification with their family, placement with a foster family, placement in a group home, or transition to other Bridge residential programs.

Woman teaching teenager how to cook

Community Outreach and Education

We teach young residents about the communities they live in and the services offered there. They are taught basic community life skills such as:

  • Budgeting
  • Cooking
  • Scheduling Appointments
  • Filling Out Job Applications
  • Interviewing For a Job

Additionally, individual and group health education is provided. All residents attend health-related classes taught by the staff nurse on subjects such as reproductive health, use of medication, etc.

Our staff members encourage and help with resident participation in extracurricular school activities. Whenever possible, we assist with financial payments associated with these activities, such as the purchase of a prom dress or sporting equipment.

Teenagers playing video games on couch

About Referrals

STTAR programs are purposed for short-term emergency care of youth in crisis. The maximum length of stay in a STTAR should be 60 days or less, per our Scope of Service with the CT Department of Children and Families (DCF).    

STTAR programs accept emergency referrals 24/7. We accept referrals from all Connecticut DCF offices.  

All Bridge residential programs are overseen by the Director of Residential Services, Kyeesha Clayborne. Katelyn Trauger, LCSW is the Bridge’s Director of Clinical Services and she oversees the Bridge’s clinical services. Each STTAR home has a Program Manager and Clinical Coordinator.

The purpose of the STTAR program is to stabilize children who are in crisis and to provide trauma-informed services with participation in individual, group, and family engagement designed to successfully reintegrate the youth with his or her family.  Some youth may require a longer stay before successful reunification with family can be achieved, but all efforts are made to successfully discharge youth before the 60 day mark. The Bridge works hard to partner with DCF in complying with the timelines outlined by the federal Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA). FFPSA specifies that out-of-home congregate care should be brief and intensely focused on the successful reunification of the youth with their family as quickly as possible. 

More About Our Individual STTAR Homes

Freymann building

Freymann House (West Hartford STTAR Home)

We opened our West Hartford shelter in 1978 under the name Junction 1019 and then the Bridge Youth Shelter. The home was renamed Freymann House in October 2013 in honor of the woman most responsible for its beginning, Ruth Freymann.

In 1971, Ruth volunteered at the Bridge, then a fledgling grassroots organization. She later became a board member, and eventually the second executive director of the Bridge from 1975-1980. Ruth secured a major federal grant for the Bridge and struggled through controversy to open a temporary shelter for teen runaways in 1978.

Freymann House is one of our flagship programs and is consistently full. Though STTAR homes typically have 6 beds, this home has 3 additional beds for homeless and runaway youth who are not involved in the state system of care. 

Contact information:

Cherrell Durrant
Freymann Program Manager

Winifred building

Winifred House (Hartford STTAR Home)

Winifred House is named for Winifred Rohrbaugh, a clinician who worked at the Bridge for many years. Winnie worked magic with young people and families by modeling the importance of focusing on "good" qualities rather than on flaws. She shared her gifts of wisdom, unconditional love, honesty, compassion, humor, and a desire for social justice. The world is a better place because of Winnie. We were lucky to have called her our friend.

Contact information:

Darrelle Murphy
Winifred House Program Manager

Hastings building

Hastings House (Wolcott STTAR Home)

Hastings House is named for George Hastings, one of the Bridge founders, longtime Bridge board member, and friend. George, a respected attorney, advocated for youth and families in many arenas, including the courtroom. He was courageous, caring, and insightful; he shared his wise counsel without hesitation; he gave his time, opened his heart, and shared his humor with all of us. The Bridge was built on George's commitment to social justice.

Contact information:

Sarah Hatcher
Program Manager