Government & Politics
Boys and Girls Village Milford photo family therapy

Agency Gets State Grant to Fund Help for Abused Kids With Substance-Abusing Caregivers

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Boys & Girls Village, a Milford-based organization serving families from more than 50 cities and towns in Connecticut, received a $435,000 annualized grant from the state Department of Children and Families to support an intensive home-based services program for abused children of caregivers who abused drugs or alcohol. The program, called “Multisystemic Therapy – Building Stronger Families” (MST-BSF), will treat families that are active cases within DCF if the state finds that the child has been physically abused or neglected, and if the state finds substance misuse by at least one caregiver. — an announcement from Boys & Girls Village
A two-year pilot study of the program showed significant success, and a large-scale clinical trial of MST-BSF was completed earlier this year in upstate Connecticut. “We are grateful to have the Department of Children and Families’ support as we bring this important new program to Fairfield County,” said Dr. Steven Kant, CEO of Boys & Girls Village. “The interventions provided by our experienced clinical team will comprehensively address the factors that contribute to child maltreatment as well as substance use, creating stronger, healthier families in our area.”
At Boys & Girls Village, the grant will support a team consisting of three full-time master’s level Clinicians, one full-time Case Manager, one full-time MST-BSF Clinical Supervisor, and one part-time APRN.

Addiction and Recovery 2018
Jeff Foote, PhD, co-author of Beyond Addiction How Science and Kindness Help People to Change

How Family Members Can Help Loved Ones Struggling With Addiction

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This one-hour presentation by Jeff Foote, PhD, a nationally recognized clinical research scientist describes how family members can apply science and kindness to helped loved ones who struggle with addiction. Foote has 30 years’ experience in the addiction treatment & research field. He is co-author of Beyond Addiction: How Science and Kindness Help People Change. Jeff and his team have developed parent training programs utilizing the CRAFT and Invitation to Change approaches, which combine evidence-based strategies with compassion and care. This is the ninth presentation in the Monthly Pathway Series, hosted by the New Canaan Parent Support Group and the New Canaan YMCA. The goal of the Pathway Series is to address addiction- and mental health-related topics in an open community forum.

Healthy Living

Presentation: Dangers of Vaping and e-Cigarettes and How to Talk to Your Child About Them

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Come learn about the dangers associated with vaping and how to talk to your child about e-cigarettes and vapes at a presentation on Wednesday, Nov. 14 at Weston Middle School Library. — an announcement from the Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program of Weston

Join prevention expert Denique Weidema-Lewis of Positive Directions, for an interactive session from 7 to 8 p.m.

She’ll walk you through:

—An overview of what e-cigarettes and vapes are
—Harmful effects of e-cigarettes and vapes
—Local and national youth data related to use
—Marijuana and e-cigarettes
—What you can do if you suspect your child is using

If You’re Going … 7 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018
Weston Middle School Library, 135 School Road, Weston
The event is free, but register here.

Community Organizations
John Hamilton President CEO Liberation Programs

John Hamilton Named New CEO of Liberation Programs

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The Board of Directors of Liberation Programs is pleased to announce the appointment of John Hamilton, LMFT, LADC as president and chief executive officer. “John Hamilton is a nationally renowned expert in the addiction treatment field and is widely regarded as an innovative leader,”said Board Chair Wayne Cafran. “He brings more than three decades of experience, with a rich knowledge of the industry as well as the local Fairfield County community.”
Hamilton’s Experience
Having served as senior vice president at Liberation Programs from 1996 to 2006, Hamilton brings an intimate knowledge of the agency, one of Fairfield County’s top behavioral health organizations. In addition to his prior service at Liberation, Hamilton was the CEO of Bridgeport’s Recovery Network of Programs (RNP) for a decade. There, he was able to triple the size of the agency, exponentially increasing its community impact.

Commitment Policy 2017-2018

Substance Abuse Meeting for Students About to Attend DHS and Parents

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All Darien High School students involved in any extracurricular activity and their parents are now required to attend one of the few scheduled school meetings about the dangers of substance abuse. And there’s one scheduled on Monday night especially for students about to complete Grade 8 and enter high school, along with one of their parents or guardians. The school district will have more of these meetings over the summer, but school officials say the one on Monday is expected to be the easiest one for parents and kids to attend, since it’s unlikely to interfere with summer activities. The meeting takes place from 7:15 to 9 p.m. on June 11 in the Darien High School Auditorium. At 6 p.m. the same night, Grade 8 students are invited to the high school Gym to learn about the athletic program.

Education
Darien High School fields building

Parents of Incoming DHS Students: You and Your Kid NEED to Attend This, Preferably Monday Night

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All Darien High School students involved in any extracurricular activity and their parents are now required to attend one of the few scheduled school meetings about the dangers of substance abuse. And there’s one scheduled on Monday night especially for students about to complete Grade 8 and enter high school, along with one of their parents or guardians. The school district will have more of these meetings over the summer, but school officials say the one on Monday is expected to be the easiest one for parents and kids to attend, since it’s unlikely to interfere with summer activities. The “Commitment Workshop” meeting takes place from 7:15 to 9 p.m. on June 11 in the Darien High School Auditorium. At 6 p.m. the same night, Grade 8 students are invited to the high school Gym to learn about the athletic program.