Greenwoods announces partnership with schools, prevention council

New services, programs intended to meet mental health needs of students, families

LITCHFIELD » Greenwoods Counseling Referrals, Inc., in partnership with the Litchfield School District and the Litchfield Prevention Council, is wrapping up its first year providing a variety of new services and programs to meet the mental-health needs of students and their families in the Litchfield schools, according to a written statement issued on Monday, June 12.

The combination of a shortage of mental-health providers, access to treatment in Litchfield County, rapidly rising rates of substance abuse, anxiety and depressive disorders, and other serious mental health issues, has resulted in many children and their families welcoming the support, Greenwoods members said.

Greenwoods Counseling Referrals offers free mental-health assessments to individuals and their families who live or work in Litchfield County. Based on its assessment, Greenwoods connects its clients with mental-health resources in the community, including its network of privatepractice, mental-health clinicians.

Dr. Joel Behar, Director of Special Projects at Greenwoods offered a series of parenting workshops at Litchfield High School this past year. “From the beginning, since the need was so evident, this project has expanded into a comprehensive school based program, focused on both prevention, intervention, crisis counseling, clinical assessments, clinical consultations and referrals for local residents,” he said, in a written statement.

During its first year, collaborative project staff worked together to reach many children and parents, according to the statement. A first priority was to design and implement a districtwide survey to determine the most pressing interests regarding the parenting of children. Based on results of the survey, a number of evening workshops were held throughout the school year that covered such topics as: Cyber-safety; signs, symptoms and treatment options for helping children who suffer from depression and/or anxiety; the positive and negative aspects of high self-esteem, among other timely subjects. These workshops offered parents an opportunity to interact with seasoned mental health professionals, as well as a pediatrician, the town constable, a 6th degree black belt in Aikido and other adults who work with children and teens in their jobs. Parents voiced concerns, asked important questions and learned valuable ideas and parenting skills from a variety of different perspectives, Greenwoods reported.

In today’s difficult and stressful world, students and families sometimes face issues that require support that requires wrap-around services that truly reach beyond the hours of the school day. Throughout the 201617 school year, Greenwoods collaborated with school district staff regarding students who presented with substance abuse, mental health challenges or issues arising from complex family systems.

“Social-emotional learning and addressing the needs of the whole child is incredibly important in our schools,” said Julie G. Haggard, Director of Special Services in the Litchfield School District, in a written statement. “Greenwoods’ support has enhanced our ability to consider the needs of the whole-child and has played a significant role moving at-risk students toward success. The homeschool community connection for our students and families is key and we look forward to further enhancing our collaboration with Greenwoods next year.”

During the next school year, the scope of this program will be expanded. Dr. Behar, with the assistance of two advanced doctoral students, will spend one full day in the district. With parental permission, the team will provide clinical evaluations, assessments and referrals for students, as well as take part in school-based support team meetings. By having Greenwoods staff within the schools, the many barriers children and families encounter when trying to receive help will be eliminated. Parents won’t have to take time off from work, long waits for appointments will be avoided, and students will be seen before a smaller problem turns into a bigger, more serious one, the statement reads.

The project will also continue offering timely workshops for parents and begin similar programs for students and staff. Combining the resources and expertise of Greenwoods Counseling Referrals, the Prevention Council and school personnel will enable many more students and families to be helped. At its core, the strength of this collaborative program provides essential programs and services to those who need it most, in a practical, direct and easily accessed way.

The mission of Greenwoods Counseling Referrals, Inc. is to provide access to high-quality mental healthcare and related social services for individuals and families living or working in Litchfield County.

For further information regarding this project contact: Dr. Joel Behar, Director of Special Projects, Greenwoods Counseling Referrals, Inc. at 860-5677724 or Julie Haggard, Director of Special Services, Litchfield Public Schools, at 860-567-7505.