Danbury

CJR's Linking Youth to Natural Communities (LYNC) program provides services to court-involved boys and girls, and their families, to assist them in making sustainable behavioral changes that will reduce future court involvement. Funded by the Judicial Branch Court Support Services Division (JBCSSD), the LYNC program is based on a three-phase system and designed to identify needs, select relevant services, and focus on establishing community connections that will provide ongoing support after program completion. LYNC also prepares young people to enter the workforce by teaching soft employment skills, such as time management and interviewing techniques, and helps participating young people explore volunteer and internship opportunities within their communities. The average length of service is six months but may vary based on the individual needs of the youth and their families. All staff have completed intensive trainings in several evidence-based treatment modalities, and a number of CJR's clinicians speak Spanish to ensure that language is not a barrier to the provision of service.

For more information, please contact Brian Smith, BS, Program Director: bsmith@cjryouth.org

Funded by the Judicial Branch Court Support Services Division (JBCSSD), MST delivers treatment in the youth’s natural environment (home, school and community) and is designed to reduce criminal and anti-social behaviors while empowering the family to develop and use proactive parenting skills. All family members living in the home and anyone within the youth’s sphere of influence are encouraged to participate. For a treatment period of three to five months, MST therapists are available to referred families 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Therapists visit the family home three to five times a week and have ongoing communication with the youth’s school. This program serves 30 boys and girls, ages 12 to 17, and their families annually.

For more information, please contact Alexandra Favale, MSW, Supervising Social Worker: afavale@cjryouth.org

The Connecticut Junior Republic’s Behavioral Health and Wellness Center provides behavioral health services for children, youth and families at many CJR locations across the state.

Staffed by skilled clinicians, Wellness Center resources include psychiatrists, Marriage and Family Therapists, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, and Licensed Professional Counselors, who are equipped to help children, youth and families address an array of concerns, including substance abuse issues; family conflict; family mediation issues; developmental adjustment issues; school related and parenting issues; and trauma-related issues.

The CJR staff is trained to work with particularly challenging at-risk and special needs children and youth and their families, and a number of clinicians are certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT).

Referrals may be made directly by the individuals seeking services; through a CJR program or service; or by other organizations in the community. Click here for a referral form.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Grant, MSW, LCSW, Director of Behavioral Health Services: jgrant@cjryouth.org