The Supportive Housing for Families® program provides families served by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF) throughout the state with support services, and access to safe, quality, affordable and housing. Wheeler is proud to be among five statewide partner agencies for this initiative, which is funded by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families in partnership with The Connection, Inc.
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Community-based family services
Care that comes to you
Families generally are referred to these programs.
Intensive In-Home Treatment
Multisystemic Therapy (MST)
About MST
In-home therapy for complex youth behavior.
An exidence-based intensive in-home model for youth ages 12-18 with externalized behaviors. The youth have complex needs, including chronic, violent, delinquent behavior and/or serious emotional issues; truancy; disrespect and disobedience; aggressive and criminal behavior; drug and alcohol problems; and running away. Family and caregiver-focused sessions are conducted with the therapist to support increased pro-social engagement and reduction in delinquent behaviors for the youth.
MST-SU
Substance Use
An intensive in-home model for youth ages 12-18 with serious high-risk substance use as a primary treatment concern. The youth may also have other complex needs such as: delinquent behavior, aggression, emotional disturbance, running away or truancy.
MST-IPV
Intimate Partner Violence
An intensive in-home MST adaptation developed to address caregivers ages 18+ with intimate partner violence as a primary treatment concern. Clients are referred via DCF due to recent incidences of child abuse or neglect resulting from exposure to parental intimate partner violence. Treatment duration is 9-12 months.
MST-BSF
Building Stronger Families
An intensive-in home MST adaptation developed to address caregivers ages 18+ with alcohol or drug use as a primary treatment concern. Clients are referred via DCF due to recent incidences of child abuse or neglect resulting from parental substance abuse. Treatment duration is 6-9 months.
About MST
In-home therapy for complex youth behavior.
An exidence-based intensive in-home model for youth ages 12-18 with externalized behaviors. The youth have complex needs, including chronic, violent, delinquent behavior and/or serious emotional issues; truancy; disrespect and disobedience; aggressive and criminal behavior; drug and alcohol problems; and running away. Family and caregiver-focused sessions are conducted with the therapist to support increased pro-social engagement and reduction in delinquent behaviors for the youth.
MST-SU
Substance Use
An intensive in-home model for youth ages 12-18 with serious high-risk substance use as a primary treatment concern. The youth may also have other complex needs such as: delinquent behavior, aggression, emotional disturbance, running away or truancy.
MST-IPV
Intimate Partner Violence
An intensive in-home MST adaptation developed to address caregivers ages 18+ with intimate partner violence as a primary treatment concern. Clients are referred via DCF due to recent incidences of child abuse or neglect resulting from exposure to parental intimate partner violence. Treatment duration is 9-12 months.
MST-BSF
Building Stronger Families
An intensive-in home MST adaptation developed to address caregivers ages 18+ with alcohol or drug use as a primary treatment concern. Clients are referred via DCF due to recent incidences of child abuse or neglect resulting from parental substance abuse. Treatment duration is 6-9 months.
Intensive In-Home Treatment for Youth
Multidimensional Family Therapy (MDFT)
About MDFT
Helping Families Stay on Track
An evidence-based intensive in-home program for youth ages 9-18 presenting with substance abuse issues, oppositional behaviors and family conflict. Individual, parent and family sessions are provided along with case management supports to increase family cohesion, reduction in high-risk behavior and support involvement with pro-social peers.
MDFT-OUD
Helping Families Navigate Opioid Use Disorder
An innovative and evidence-based, intensive in-home treatment program for adolescents and young adults ages 12-21 presenting with opioid use disorder, complex behavioral health, or social and emotional challenges. The MDFT-OUD team supports clients by connecting them to Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) services as needed and works with the client and their family with a strong clinical focus for the first 6-8 months of treatment including intensive sessions, and frequent check-ins. The following 6 months have a strong focus on Recovery Monitoring and Support (RMS).
About MDFT
Helping Families Stay on Track
An evidence-based intensive in-home program for youth ages 9-18 presenting with substance abuse issues, oppositional behaviors and family conflict. Individual, parent and family sessions are provided along with case management supports to increase family cohesion, reduction in high-risk behavior and support involvement with pro-social peers.
MDFT-OUD
Helping Families Navigate Opioid Use Disorder
An innovative and evidence-based, intensive in-home treatment program for adolescents and young adults ages 12-21 presenting with opioid use disorder, complex behavioral health, or social and emotional challenges. The MDFT-OUD team supports clients by connecting them to Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) services as needed and works with the client and their family with a strong clinical focus for the first 6-8 months of treatment including intensive sessions, and frequent check-ins. The following 6 months have a strong focus on Recovery Monitoring and Support (RMS).
Intensive In-Home Treatment for Youth
In-home Psychiatric Services
IICAPS
Intensive In-Home Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Services
The IICAPS program helps kids with serious mental health needs avoid the hospital or jail by giving support at home. Families get therapy, crisis help, and tools to handle problems together. The program also works with schools and connects families to long-term support in their community.
IIBHS
Intensive In-Home Behavioral Health Services
The IIBHS program helps kids, teens, and young adults with serious mental health or substance use problems. Support is given right at home, with therapy, crisis help, and plans made just for them. The goal is to keep them safe, stable, and doing better at home, school, and in their communities.
IICAPS
Intensive In-Home Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Services
The IICAPS program helps kids with serious mental health needs avoid the hospital or jail by giving support at home. Families get therapy, crisis help, and tools to handle problems together. The program also works with schools and connects families to long-term support in their community.
IIBHS
Intensive In-Home Behavioral Health Services
The IIBHS program helps kids, teens, and young adults with serious mental health or substance use problems. Support is given right at home, with therapy, crisis help, and plans made just for them. The goal is to keep them safe, stable, and doing better at home, school, and in their communities.
Supportive Housing for Families
Restoring Hope. Serving Youth Safety in the Community.
Diversion First
Diversion First is part of a state-wide effort to divert youth from formal processing in the juvenile justice system for primarily low-level offenses which could otherwise result in a referral to Juvenile Court and thus improving their long-term outcomes. Diversion First will utilize the Youth Diversion Team (YDT) model, Trauma-Informed Restorative Diversion, a restorative justice approach designed to focus on accountability of harm and offering supports to address underlying needs.
Family-focused
Supporting your family
These programs are funded and supported by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families or the Connecticut Department of Developmental Services.
Guidance for Safe, Strong Homes
Community Support for Families
The Community Support for Families program helps families get the support they need to keep their homes safe and healthy. Workers help families find food, housing, and other services, and they teach parenting skills and ways to stay connected to schools. Families help create their own plans, and support is available anytime they need it.
Helping Kids Thrive at Home
Care Coordination
The Care Coordination program helps kids with emotional or behavior issues stay in their homes and communities. Families work with a care coordinator to find their strengths, set goals, and build a plan that fits their needs. The program also connects families to services for things like school, health, and safety.
Helping Families Find Stable Homes
Supportive Housing for Families
The Supportive Housing for Families® program helps families find safe, affordable homes and stay together. Families get support with housing, jobs, health care, and parenting. The program works with each family to make a plan and offers help with anything from childcare to recovery support.
Helping Families Stay Together
Intensive Family Preservation
Wheeler's IFP program helps families stay together when there are concerns about abuse or neglect. Families get weekly visits and support for 12 weeks to learn new skills, improve safety, and make home life better. The program helps each family member and connects families to local resources they need.
Support for Families in Crisis
Intensive In-Home Family Training
This program helps kids with behavior challenges stay at home instead of going to the hospital. Families get support with counseling, behavior plans, and crisis help. The goal is to make home life better and safer for everyone.
Helping Families Thrive—Together.
SAFE FR
Wheeler’s SAFE Family Recovery program helps parents with substance use issues get the support they need to care for their families. It includes quick tests and help finding treatment, weekly home visits for six months, and follow-up support after treatment. The program works with the whole family to keep kids safe and help parents stay healthy.
Stronger Families—At Home, In Recovery, and for the Future.
Family-Based Recovery
Family-Based Recovery (FBR) is an evidence-based, intensive, in-home treatment program designed to support families with young children where a parent is struggling with substance use. The program aims to help parents achieve recovery, strengthen parenting skills, and create a safe and stable home for their children.
MST-BSF
Multisystemic Therapy - Building Stronger Families
An intensive-in home MST adaptation developed to address caregivers ages 18+ with alcohol or drug use as a primary treatment concern. Clients are referred via DCF due to recent incidences of child abuse or neglect resulting from parental substance abuse. Treatment duration is 6-9 months.
MST-IPV
Multisystemic Therapy - Intimate Partner Violence
An intensive in-home MST adaptation developed to address caregivers ages 18+ with intimate partner violence as a primary treatment concern. Clients are referred via DCF due to recent incidences of child abuse or neglect resulting from exposure to parental intimate partner violence. Treatment duration is 9-12 months.
Preparing the next generation of in-home clinicians
Workforce development for evidence-based practices
Connecticut is a leader nationally in developing its system of research supported treatments for children, adolescents and families to address a wide range of concerns and to help keep youth in their homes and in the community. Connecticut is also gaining increasing recognition for its creative strategy to improve the service delivery system by preparing the workforce for evidence-based practice. Wheeler is helping to lead in this work.