Positive Directions-The Center for Prevention and Counseling

TREATMENT The Agency operates a psychiatric outpatient and substance abuse treatment clinic for adults and adolescents, licensed by the CT Department of Public Health and Department of Children and Families. Services include individual and family counseling, support groups, and medication management for adults and adolescents. All major commercial and public health insurances are accepted, including Medicare and Husky, as well as sliding scale fees. A treatment fund was created in 2020-21 for those in need of financial assistance. The clinical team is comprised of 8 masters level and licensed counselors, 2 nurse practitioners, and 3 clinical interns. In FY23, 753 clients were served, up 38.4 percent from the previous year, and 7,244 treatment sessions were conducted by the clinical team. 65 of agency clients are adults that identify as having mental health issues 13 are adolescents with mental health and/or substance use issues and 22 are adults with substance use or gambling addictions.

SUPPORT The TurningPointCT.org project provides a safe online community by and for young people in CT searching for mental wellness. Support is provided online through a peer-developed website, podcasts, and multiple social media. One of our young adults offers a Queers and Peers support group for LGBTQ individuals. In FY23 the Agency offered free support groups to participants including a General Teachers support, High School group, Alternatives to Suicide, Alzheimer caregiver group, and Adult and Family and Friends SMART Recovery groups. In addition, we support our community through various partnerships with local agencies to provide mental health services, like barrier-free counseling to town residents, teacher support groups, sober teen social activities, and more.

PREVENTION The Agency is is a leading prevention organization in the region utilizing the strategic prevention framework model to lead substance abuse prevention efforts in Norwalk and Westport, CT. The Agency is the lead partner running The Norwalk Partnership and the Westport Prevention Coalition, and serves as one of the 12 sectors for the Fairfield Cares Community Coalition, who helps build member capacity, gather data, coordinate meetings, provide training, and lead initiatives. In FY23, we held 111 community meetings and organized events including free suicide prevention and overdose prevention trainings. Norwalk Strong clubs at both Norwalk High Schools were created by Norwalk teens working with Positive Directions and focus on substance prevention and mental wellness.