Mission: The mission of the Northwest Hills Community Health Network of CT (NHCHN-CT) is to build upon existing cross-sectoral partnerships in the region that address a variety of Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) and health drivers, to improve coordination between providers to address these needs efficiently, and to effectively increase access to services that aim to improve the overall health of the region.

Purpose: The purpose of the NHCHN-CT is to act as a “no-wrong-door” model for those seeking services related to mental and behavioral health.

Current Initiative: In years 1 through 4, the NHCHN-CT will focus on increasing access to adolescent behavioral health services for youth in the region between the ages of 13 and 18 through a coordinated network of providers and case management services.

The target population for the Northwest Hills Community Health Network of Connecticut (NHCHN-CT) project is the estimated 12,250 youth ages 13-18 in Litchfield County. Youth in the county are experiencing anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, other disorders, or toxic stress. Together, network members will achieve efficiencies, expand access to, coordinate, and improve the quality of healthcare services and associated health outcomes.

Our Partners:

  • Greenwoods Counseling & Referrals, Inc., a non-profit mental health provider, will leverage its existing school-based mental health programs to provide outreach and trauma screening. Through this screening process, the clinician will coordinate referrals for youth in need of mental health or substance use disorder services, as well as refer to other services relating to social determinants of health (i.e. food access, transportation, social activities, etc). The clinician will monitor and track referrals to ensure referral loop closures when youth are referred to services.
  • Community Health and Wellness Center of Greater Torrington (CHWC), a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) offering school-based mental health services, will conduct outreach and trauma screening in the schools they serve, as well as provide access to adolescent psychiatric medication management. CHWC will also provide Continuing Education Units and mental health training events open to all providers in the region.
  • McCall Behavioral Health Network will provide access to their adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program, in which teens with substance use and/or mental health issues attend the program three afternoons a week for up to three hours each day. The evidence-based curriculum addresses substance use disorders, mental health, and trauma, including toxicology screens and contingency management. A psychiatrist and psychiatric nurse practitioner are available to consult with teens and their guardians to prescribe psychiatric medication, as needed. A combination of counseling and medication can help individuals make positive changes and experience long-term success. McCall will also provide Question, Prevent, Refer (QPR) training opportunities for the community and local Emergency Responders. McCall will conduct trauma and Social Determinants of Health screenings and make referrals for ongoing support and care.

The Northwest Hills Community Health Network of Connecticut welcomes inquiries from organizations interested in learning more about our work and collaborative efforts.

This project is made possible through financial support from the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Rural Health Network Development grant program [HRSA-23-030].

NORTHWEST HILLS COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

355 Goshen Rd. Litchfield, CT Tel: 860.491.9884 Fax: 860.491.3729