Parent Resources

Bi-Weekly District "Together We Can" Newsletter

On Monday, August 30, 2021, The Office of Special Education and Student Supports officially launched the department's newsletter, "Together We Can," named for its new mantra of action and inclusion. Please read the archived issues below, and feel free to subscribe by clicking on any past issue and clicking the orange "Follow" button.

Common Core Standards

Community Supports for Families and Children

Crisis Resources

Crisis Resources
If you or your child is in crisis, there are resources available to support 24/7.

Crisis Support	Contact
Child or Adult Mobile Crisis If you or your child are in need of in person (or phone) assistance for immediate behavioral/mental health concerns, dial 211 and press 1 for mobile crisis assistance. For youth support, press 1 or for adult support, press 2. Mobile Crisis is available to come to your home from 7am-10pm. The phone line is staffed to offer support 24/7.	211 (Dial 1-800-203-1234 if you are close to the NY border) https://uwc.211ct.org/mental-health-crisis-intervention-services-connecticut/
Crisis Text Line “Crisis Text Line serves anyone, in any type of crisis.” 24/7. Free.	Text HOME to 741741 https://www.crisistextline.org/text-us/
Domestic Abuse Services YWCA 24/7 Hotline. Free. Confidential.	203-622-0003 https://ywcagreenwich.org/what-we-do/domestic-abuse-services-for-victims/
National Eating Disorders Association Call Mon-Thurs 11am-9pm or Fri 11am-5pm for support, resources and treatment options for you . Text NEDA to 741741 for crisis text support 24/7.	1-800-931-2237 https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/help-support/contact-helpline
Homelessness/Housing “2-1-1 serves as the front door into the State of Connecticut's Coordinated Access Networks (CANS). If you, or someone you know, is at risk of having to leave their home and having nowhere to stay, please dial 2-1-1- and press Option 3 to speak with a 2-1-1 Housing Crisis Specialist. The line is open daily from 8am-4pm.	211 https://www.211ct.org/topic_pages/housing
Kids in Crisis “Need help? Not sure? Whether you’re a child, parent, relative, teacher, therapist, doctor, neighbor, friend, or anyone else concerned about the welfare of a child, any time of the day or night, there is always a live counselor on the end of the phone. These trained Crisis Counselors are available to provide immediate help and assess services needed to address and work through any situation.	203-661-1991 https://www.kidsincrisis.org/get-help/24-hour-helpline/
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free & confidential support for people in distress, prevention & crisis resources for you or your loved ones.	988 https://988lifeline.org/
Trevor Project 24/7 Helpline. “Our trained counselors understand the challenges LGBTQ young people face. They will listen without judgment. All of your conversations are confidential, and you can share as much or as little as you’d like.	Call 1-866-488-7386 OR Text START to 678-678 https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/

Higher Levels of Care

Higher Levels of Care - Partial Hospitalization Programs/Intensive Outpatient Programs/In-Home Support

*PHP - Typically 4 or 5 days of 4 or 5 hours of on-site treatment per week. Typical length of treatment approximately 2 weeks, pending progress.
*IOP - Typically 3 to 5 days of 3 or 4 hours of on-site treatment per week. Typical length of treatment approximately 4-6 weeks, pending progress.
*Intensive In-home Support - Typically approximately 3 hours of in-home clinical support per week. Typical length of treatment approximately 6 months, pending progress

Program	Ages Served	Contact Information
Anxiety Institute IOP Clients in our Intensive Day Program typically have not progressed with weekly therapy on its own. Withdrawal from family, friends, school and favorite activities are common, as well as excessive technology use (social media, gaming) as an unhealthy coping strategy. Our concentrated intensive outpatient program occurs Monday through Friday, over a 6-12 week time frame, depending on severity of symptoms. Each day consists of four hours of targeted individual and group work.	Ages 13-25	Anxiety Institute 203-489-0888 75 Holly Hill Lane Suite 300 Greenwich, CT 06830
Discovery Mood & Anxiety Program IOP An Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is a lower level of care. That means an individual in this level of care does not require hospitalization, or 24-hour supervision, but they need more support than an individual outpatient provider can give. Intensive outpatient treatment requires individuals to attend at least nine hours of group and/or individual therapy per week, which is divided up into three-hour sessions, ranging three-to-five evenings a week, typically for 4-6 weeks. Insurances we accept at this location include but are not limited to Anthem Blue Cross, Cigna, Beacon, Unicare, and Kaiser. Please remember that the insurances we accept change frequently. Our insurance team will verify your coverage.	Ages 11-17	Discovery Mood & Anxiety Program 888.490.0498 3530 Post Rd Suite 306 Southport, CT 06890
FFT (Functional Family Therapy) Intensive In-Home FFT is a short-term, high quality intervention program with an average of 12 to 14 sessions over three to five months. FFT works primarily with 11- to 18-year-old youth who have been referred for behavioral or emotional problems by the juvenile justice, mental health, and school or child welfare systems. Services are conducted in both clinic and home settings, and can also be provided in schools, child welfare facilities, probation and parole offices/aftercare systems and mental health facilities.	Ages 11-17	Child and Family Guidance Center 203-394-6529 x 3227 180 Fairfield Ave Bridgeport, CT 06604
Hall-brooke St. Vincent's IOP Dual diagnosis (mental health and substance use). 3-4 afternoons per week from 3-6pm. Husky Veyo can provide transportation if you have coverage.	Adolescents	Hall-brooke St. Vincent's 203-221-8899 1 Lois Street Norwalk, CT 06851
High Focus PHP/IOP PHP - This full-day program meets five days per week and is designed to offer a high level of support for teens with severe mental health symptoms. Our adolescent PHP has a shorter length of stay where the focus is to quickly stabilize these symptoms and set the stage for a return to previous functioning. This program can be an option if lower levels of treatment are not working, and it can also be used as a next step after an inpatient program. IOP -Our after-school program can be used as an early intervention when teens first develop symptoms. It may also be used as a step down from higher levels of care. Teens who have completed our PHP program enter intensive outpatient therapy next as they transition back to a normal schedule at school. Co-occurring IOP - For teens diagnosed with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders, we offer a specialized intensive outpatient program. Our teen co-occurring IOP uses both mental health and substance use treatment methods to help your child recover from both disorders at the same time.	Ages 10-Adult	High Focus Centers (877) 719-1462 17 High Street Norwalk, CT 06851
IIBH (Intensive In-Home Behavioral Health) Intensive In-Home The Intensive In-home Behavioral Health Service (IIBHS) helps children, adolescents and young adults, ages 3 to 24, with acute psychiatric and/or co-occurring challenges. Accepts Anthem (only insurance accepted). IIBHS is an innovative, strengths-based in-home service tailored to address the unique individual, familial and environmental factors that most contribute to the children’s, adolescents’ and young adults’ behavioral health challenges. Youth and young adults referred to IIBHS are at risk or have histories of emergency department, inpatient and/or residential treatment admissions.	Ages 3-24	Wheeler Clinic 475-222-6015 91 Northwest Drive Plainville, CT 06062
IICAPs (Intensive In-Home Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Services) Intensive In-Home Husky will fully cover services. IICAPs will work with families who have commercial insurance on a case by case basis to explore potential coverage. Intensive In-home Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Services (IICAPS) addresses the comprehensive needs of children with severe emotional disorders. Children appropriate for IICAPS intervention may be returning home from psychiatric hospitalization, at-risk for institutionalization or hospitalization, or unable to benefit from traditional outpatient treatment. The program makes use of a consistent treatment team to provide comprehensive assessments, case management, individual and family treatment, and crisis intervention. 24-hours a day, seven days a week, emergency crisis response. In-Home, individual and family therapy. Family communication and parenting skills. School consultation. Case management.	Ages 5-18	Family & Children’s Agency 203-523-5712 203-855-8765 9 Mott Avenue Norwalk, CT 06850
MDFT (Multidimensional Family Therapy) Intensive In-Home Multi-Dimensional Family Therapy at Boys & Girls Village is for children and adolescents ages 9 to 18 who are at risk for substance abuse and are exhibiting emotional and behavioral difficulties, including: Aggressive behavior, Disrespect or disobedience at home or school, Legal problems, Low self-esteem,Trauma Issues.	Ages 9-18	Boys & Girls Village 203-877-0300 170 Bennett Street Bridgeport, CT 06605
Newport Academy PHP/IOP For teens who are continuing to attend school during the day, a teen Intensive Outpatient Program with afternoon hours provides ongoing care and community throughout the week, while benefiting the entire family with regular check-ins and support groups. With the opportunity to reduce or expand programming as needed, IOP is an ideal solution for young people who are progressing in recovery and need continued support to ensure that they stay on the right path beyond what an individual therapy session can provide.	Ages 13-18	Newport Academy 203-720-6825 85 Old Kings Highway N Darien, CT 06820
Prospects IOP A treatment program for children, ages 5-12, who present with behavioral health needs in different environments (e.g., school, home, community). Prospects EDT staff includes a board certified child psychiatrist, APRN, master-level clinicians, and direct care staff. Prospects EDT uses multiple types of treatment to help children develop appropriate social and coping skills by using a variety of therapeutic techniques and providing a safe place to practice newly acquired skills. A client engaged in clinical treatment can receive a psychiatric evaluation with one of our Child & Adolescent Psychiatrists and/or Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), after which they may prescribe medication or begin offering psychiatric care to complement the client’s course of treatment.	Ages 5-12	Mid-Fairfield Child Guidance (203) 299-1315 x6139 100 East Ave Norwalk, CT 06856
Silver Hill Hospital DBT IOP The Adolescent DBT IOP teaches the core DBT skills in a manner and setting sensitive to the needs of adolescents and helps apply these skills in their lives. In Person Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 3-6:20pm.	Ages 13-17 (18 if still enrolled in high school)	Silver Hill Hospital 1-866-542-4455 208 Valley Road New Canaan, CT 06840
St. Joseph’s Medical Center (formerly St. Vincent’s) PHP/IOP St. Vincent’s in Harrison offers a range of treatment from inpatient hospitalization to PHP to IOP to outpatient care for ages ranging from 6 years old through adulthood. Call 914-286-4440 to schedule an intake appointment. An assessment will be completed to determine the most appropriate level of care.	Ages 6-adult	St. Joseph’s Medical Center 914-286-4440 275 North St Harrison, NY 10528

Counseling

Counseling

If you or your child are feeling distressed, overwhelmed, struggling to maintain focus/attention, there are resources in our community that can offer counseling support.

Agency/Website	Ages Supported	Medication Management	Insurance Accepted (*Husky & Sliding Scale)	Services in Spanish
Anxiety Institute https://anxietyinstitute.com/ 844-881-1846 75 Holly Hill Lane, #300, Greenwich	Ages 13 & up Parent Coaching	Psychiatric Support (do not prescribe).	Out of Network
Anxiety Treatment Center of Greenwich https://www.atcgreenwich.com/ 203-769-1365 399 East Putnam Ave, 2nd Floor, Suite 1, Greenwich	Children & Adolescents	YES	Out of Network
Centro Bienestar https://www.centrobienestarllc.com/english.html 203-883-8135 30 Myano Lane, Suite 20, Stamford	Children, Adolescents & Adults	NO	*YES	YES
Child Guidance https://childguidancect.org/services/ 203-324-6127 103 West Broad St, Stamford & Holly Hill, Greenwich	Children & Adolescents	YES	*YES	YES
Cognitive Therapy and Behavior Assessment Associates https://www.cbtaaa.com/ 914-539-7049 2 Greenwich Office Park, Suite 300	Children, Adolescents & Adults	NO	Out of Network
Community Health Center, Inc https://www.chc1.com/what-we-do/our-services/behavioral-health/ https://www.chc1.com/for-patients/become-a-patient/ 203-323-8160 22 Fifth St, Stamford *All services must be received here (PCP, Counseling, Meds)	Children, Adolescents & Adults	YES	*YES	YES
Den for Grieving Kids https://www.familycenters.org/The-Den-for-Grieving-Kids 203-655-4693 40 Arch St, Greenwich	Ages 3-18	NO	Free
Family Centers https://www.familycenters.org/Counseling-and-Mental-Health-Services 203-622-629-2822 40 Arch St, Greenwich	Children, Adolescents & Adults	YES	*YES	YES
Greenwich Center for Hope and Renewal https://hopeandrenewal.org/individual-couple-family-therapy-greenwich/therapy/ 203-340-9816 237 Taconic Road, Greenwich	Children, Adolescents & Adults	NO	*YES
Greenwich Hospital Behavioral Health Clinic https://www.greenwichhospital.org/services/support-services/healthcare-services-underinsured 203-863-3316 5 Perryridge Road, Greenwich	Adults	YES (*for ages 18 and up)	*YES
Greenwich Psychotherapy & Associates http://greenwichpsychotherapy.com/ 203-862-8940 30 Washington Ave, Greenwich	Children, Adolescents & Adults	NO	ut of Network
Jewish Family Services https://jfsgreenwich.org/counseling/ 203-622-1881 1 Holly Hill Lane, Greenwich	Children, Adolescents & Adults	NO	*YES	YES
Revive Center for Wellness https://revivecenterforwellness.com/portfolio-items/therapy-and-counseling/ 203-693-4917 37 Glenbrook Road, Suite 3, Stamford	Children, Adolescents & Adults	NO	YES
Systemic Psychotherapy https://www.systemicpsychotherapycenter.com/services-for-clients 203-970-4738 100 Melrose Ave Humanly/Suite 101 Greenwich	Children, Adolescents & Adults	NO	*YES	YES
The Waverly Group https://www.waverly-group.com/ 203-622-8600 1445 East Putnam Ave, Old Greenwich	Children & Adolescents	NO	Out of Network
Zackson Psychology Group https://zacksonpsychology.com/ 203-900-1666 15 Valley Drive, 1st Floor, Greenwich	Children, Adolescents & Adults	NO	Out of Network

CT Department of Developmental Services

CT Department of Education Resources

IEP Parent Resources

Parents as Partners Handbook and Procedural Safeguards

Parent Presentations on the Bridging Process

Now is the time that we begin planning for the next school year and students start to get excited about moving up to the elementary, middle, or high school level. To support this transition, or "bridging," the Office of Special Education & Student Supports has started to hold meetings for families to share information about the process. The links to the PowerPoints and recording for the preschool, 5^th to 6^th grade, and 8^th to 9^th grade bridging presentations are below.

I look forward to working together and supporting you as we begin this process. - Dr. Stacey Heiligenthaler

The Preschool to Kindergarten parent presentation on February 28, 2023 PowerPoint
The 8th to 9th grade parent presentation on March 2, 2023 Recording and PowerPoint
Greenwich High School Class of 2027 8th Grade Parent Orientation PowerPoint
The 5th to 6th grade parent presentation on February 22, 2023 recording and PowerPoint

Special Education Procedures and Practices Manual

Staff Workshops

Thank you to all who attended and participated at this year's conference.

Conference Presentations

Keynote Speaker: in his presentation Dr. Brooks discussed a strength-based approach for working with and raising children and adolescents with special needs. He will describe (a) why some children with special needs have an easier time developing a positive self-image than others, (b) the importance of identifying and reinforcing each child and adolescent’s “islands of competence,” and (c) specific strategies that parents and teachers can use to nurture motivation, learning, self-discipline, caring, hope, and resilience in children and adolescents with special needs.

Dr. Robert Brooks: Nurturing Hope and Resilience in Children with Special Needs

Workshops

Trisha Cheney, Special Educational Teacher: Understanding Your Child's IEP

Taylor Carroll-Marino, M.S., NCSP & Lauren Regan, Special Education Teacher: Taking the Zones Home: How to Implement the Zones of Regulation in the Home Environment

Dr. Fabian Agiurgioaei Boie: Mindful Parenting: Cultivating Self- Regulation and Compassion with Your Children

Christopher Lovermi, Transition Coordinator and Celeste Vigliotti, Special Education Teacher, CAS Transition Planning 3.0

Theoni Stavrianopoulos, SLP: The Role of Speech Language Pathologist in the school

Genevieve Morales, SLP: Éxito para su Niño! Estrategias para ayudar sus hijos/hijas desarollar el lenguaje academico necesario para que sea exitoso en la escuela (Spanish)

Elizabeth Forger,BS , M.Ed-Special Ed: Establishing Routines at Home

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