FAMILIES IN CRISIS, INC. (CT)

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Program Description

Founded in 1977, Families in Crisis provides services that focus on the family and the role that family plays in helping offenders. Families in Crisis has four offices in Connecticut: Hartford, Bridgeport, New Haven, and Waterbury. Its six main programs focus on rebuilding families, reducing crime, and preparing offenders to be productive citizens.

•  Family Counseling and Support Program. In this program, counselors provide individual, family, and group counseling services to participants and their family members. The counseling and case management services are provided in the home, at various agency offices, or at correction facility community programs.

•  The Fatherhood Initiative, or the FACT Program (Fathers And Children Together), provides assistance to fathers who will be released in six to nine months, are between the ages of 18 and 21, and reside at the State of Connecticut Manson Youth Institution . Once a potential client is referred, an assessment and service plan are conducted to determine the kinds of services that are needed. Services include case management, transportation for family members to the facility, counseling, educational and peer support groups, and aftercare services for three to six months after release.

•  The Youth Enrichment Services (YES) Program is an after-school program that helps children, their guardians, and their imprisoned parents. Some services of this program include counseling, weekly group sessions on emotional and social health, case management, referral, mentoring, tutoring, recreation activities, and parent education services.

•  The Transportation Program recognizes that visitation is important for families and offenders and offers transportation to correctional facilities in Connecticut and Virginia.

•  The Sesame Street Children Centers are located in two correctional facilities in Connecticut. This program offers educational therapeutic programs for children. This model was developed by the Community Education Service Division of Children's Television Workshop. By having the program next to the visiting rooms in the corrections facility, children gain an opportunity to interact with other children with similar experiences.

•  Finally, the Domestic Violence Offender Programs (four programs are offered in Connecticut) provides long-term services for men that commit domestic violence. Participants are referred into the program; counselors outline service plans and other services for the client. The program also provides weekly group sessions led by counselors; an aftercare plan is developed for every client.

In 1999, the agency was voted the Connecticut Association of Nonprofits Criminal Justice Agency of the Year.

Program Goals
The organization seeks to strengthen families, enhance community safety, and promote individual responsibility.

Networking, Partnering & Collaboration
Families in Crisis receives support and funding from United Way, state contracts, foundations, and corporations. The organization coordinates with other providers to ensure continuity of care.

Outcomes
None of the organization's programs has been formally evaluated.

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