14 Sycamore Way Branford, CT 06405

www.harborhealthservices.org

Harbor Health Services, Inc. is a multi-service, nonprofit behavioral health agency. It is licensed by the Connecticut Department of Public Heal th , accredi ted by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, and designated the Local Mental Health Authority for the towns of Branford, East Haven, Guilford, Madison, North Branford and North Haven.

For more information, call: Clinical Services

203-483-2630 x245 Social & Vocational Services

203-483-2645 x244 Administration

203-483-2630 x245 Human Resources 203-483-2667 x227

Community Support Services 203-483-2645 x252

Development & Public Relations 203-483-2630 x227

Leadership

President/Chief Executive Officer

Roberta J. Cook

Board of Directors Margaret Livingston, Chair

Janet Poss, Vice Chair Charlotte Mattei, Secretary Sean Thomas, Treasurer

Richard Bell, Esq. David Crompton

Deepak Cyril D’Souza, MD Brock Dubin, Esq. Natalie Feingold

Catriona MacAuslan

 here are many reasons for us to cheer!  Every day more and more  

people are proving that recovery is  possible and YOU are making it happen! 

Last year donors contributed more than $100,000 to provide services for more than 1,500 people on the road to  recovery.  Those donations can be  translated in many ways.  Your  generosity helped provide: 

♦ 16,238 clinical mental health services including intensive outpatient and outpatient services. 

♦ Supportive, respite and subsidized housing for 105 individuals. 

♦ Vocational services for 273 individuals. 

♦ 21,406 community support services including employment, housing  assistance, social rehabilitation,  case management, and jail diversion. 

♦ Outpatient and intensive outpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment for 1,440 individuals. 

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) estimates that one in four of us will experience a significant mental health related illness in the course of our lives.  However, the good news is that treatment for mental health has never been more effective.  Evidence‐based treatment helps keep recovery rates at a record high, and Harbor Health Services is on the forefront of providing the most up to date and  comprehensive evidence‐based treatment available. 

No matter how much you give, your gift  will help us continue to fill the gaps, and will  directly improve the lives of more than 1,500 of your friends and neighbors.  Together we are building a healthier community, and your donations make it possible.   

On behalf of everyone in the Harbor Health family, I thank you for your continued support and look forward to working with you in the new year. 

            Sincerely,     

Fall 2010 & Annual Appeal Three Cheers for You!

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Annual Fund An Annual Fund gift is the perfect choice for donors who wish to support a priority need, and current programs and services. Gifts and contributions to the HHSI Annual Fund help pay for mental health and substance abuse treatment for those without insurance or other financial resources.

Denis Olsen Lifeline Fund We established the Denis Olsen Lifeline Fund (DOLF) in 2005 in memory of the agency's first executive director. Lifeline funds are used to help clients who are in emergency situations. The DOLF provides emergency shelter, clothing, food, and other essentials for HHSI .

giveGreater Challenge giveGreater is a new online knowledge and giving resource provided by the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven that allows you to find and support organizations serving the Greater New Haven area that match your philanthropic goals and interests.

The goal is for HHSI to attract as many donors via giveGreater as possible, and to be considered for grants prizes we need to bring in a minimum of 50 donors at $50 or more. The organization with the highest number of donors will win $20,000, and with your support, it could be Harbor Health!

Participating is simple, visit www.givegreater.org and search for Harbor Health Services, or go to www.harborhealthservices.org and donate using the form posted on our homepage.

Planned Giving Gift plans create opportunities for both our donors and HHSI. Determining what gift is right for you is just as important as making the gift. There are many options from which you can choose. The correct plan for you balances what you wish to accomplish for yourself, your family, and your charitable interests in your overall estate and financial plans.

You may choose to do what literally millions of people have done: make a charitable bequest in your will. Gifts we receive through wills help ensure that HHSI will stay strong and move forward in the future. Another simple way to ensure our future is to include us as a beneficiary of your retirement plan or life insurance policy.

If you would like to learn more about planned giving and how you can leave a legacy and ensure the future of Harbor Health Services, please contact Emily Gangi (203) 483-2630 x227 or talk to your financial and legal advisors.

Matching Gifts, Double Your Dollars! Many companies offer matching gift programs to encourage employees or retirees to contribute to charitable organizations. Some provide matching funds to support employee volunteer hours. Most of these programs match contributions dollar for dollar, and some will even double or triple the amount of your gift! Speak with the HR professional in your office to see if your donation is eligible for a match.

One in four adults struggle with mental illness, one in ten struggle with addiction, but thanks to you & your generosity,

they all have a greater chance of recovery.

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On Wednesday, November 10, HHSI board, staff and supporters gathered at Amarante’s Sea Cliff to celebrate our 30th Anniversary, recognize our board of directors, and install new members of the executive board. Dick Bell, who has served as Treasurer for the last six years, passed the purse strings on to Sean Thomas, and Catriona MacAuslan, who served as Secretary since 2004 passed the position on to Charlotte Mattei.

State Representative Patricia M. Widlitz presented us with an official citation from the Connecticut General Assembly introduced by herself, Representative Deborah Heinrich, Representative Lonnie Reed, and State Senator Edward Meyer congratulating us on our 30th Anniversary and stating, “You have improved the quality of life for many people in the Shoreline Community. You have demonstrated a remarkable commitment to the highest quality of behavioral healthcare while working with individuals through all phases of recovery. You are a fine example of collaboration with both individuals and families in ways that help them achieve their full potential.” Representative Widlitz also read a message from Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro who was unable to attend the event.

Kerry Bugosi and David Punola of Alcoa Howmet presented HHSI with a check for $1,500. Bugosi and fellow Alcoa employee, Sharon Davis flew to Cleveland in October to compete for more than $25,000 in prizes for nonprofits. The $1,500 prize will be used to increase outreach efforts and help to reduce stigma related to mental illness and substance addiction.

Guests also enjoyed remarks from special guest speaker, Michael Sernyak, MD. Dr. Sernyak is president/CEO of the CT Mental Health Center and an associate professor of psychology at the Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Sernyak spoke about, “Mental Health as a Citizen’s Right or Commodity”, explaining that the services offered across our healthcare spectrum are disparate and oftentimes inadequate. Dr. Sernyak explained that we are at a pivotal point in the redevelopment of our healthcare system and asked that we all advocate for the rights of individuals who struggle with mental illness and addiction. So contact your congressional representative and ask

that they consider both the needs and the benefits of a comprehensive behavioral healthcare system while voting on the laws that will govern our new healthcare system.

From left to right: Dick Bell, Margaret Livingston, David Crompton, Janet Poss, State Representative Patricia M. Widlitz, Roberta Cook, D. Cyril D’Souza, MD, Charlotte Mattei, Sean Thomas and Catriona MacAuslan. 

David Punola and Kerry Bugosi 

Michael Sernyak, MD 

HHSI will hold its 2nd Annual Girl’s Night Out Fashion Show Fundraiser on Friday, March 11, 2011 at Terminal 110 in New Haven. The evening will feature a star-studded fashion show provided by Ella where She shops…, boutique shopping, signature cocktails, music, dancing, and a silent auction. A Girl’s Night Out is good for your mental health so be sure to mark your calendar!

We are also planning our 5th Annual Road to Recovery Gala & Auction. This year’s event will take place at Amarante’s Sea Cliff in New Haven on Thursday, May 26, 2011. The Gala will feature live music, a live and silent auction and an awards ceremony. Save the date!

Save the Date!

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More than 150 people joined CommuniCare for its first Statewide Tobacco Cessation in Behavioral Health Settings

conference. CCI, together with the University of Massachusetts offered a full-day training including tracks for administration, direct service and peer personnel. Participants learned about advances in behavioral treatment interventions, new and emerging tobacco products, organizational change, peer intervention and support in club house settings and providing tobacco treatment for individuals with serious mental illness.

The event was sponsored by the CT Department of Public Health, the CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and the Alcoa Foundation.

Many thanks to Dr. Douglas Ziedonis and the UMASS Addressing Tobacco Through Organizational Change (ATTOC) team.

Annual Report Preview

Tobacco Cessation Conference Success!

HHSI is now providing oversight and support for counseling services in North Haven. The North Haven Department of Community Services and Recreation (DCSR) offers a range of outpatient mental health, substance abuse and outreach services to town residents. These services include individual, couples, group and family therapy, psychiatric evaluation and medication management. In addition, informational, preventative and educational programs are offered throughout the year to the community.

HHSI is providing on-site walk-in community support services in North Haven on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Walk-in services include benefits screening, housing counseling, and linkage to community programs and supports.

Counseling services and walk-in community support are offered in the Town Hall Annex, 5 Linsley Street, North Haven, CT 06473.

To make an appointment or learn more about services offered, please call (203) 239-5321 x780.

Counseling Services in North Haven

Polka contest winners Paula Pendleton and Vin Barone 

Many thanks to everyone who participated in our third annual Rocktoberfest fundraiser. This year’s event was a great success. Guests enjoyed German fare prepared and donated by SBC, live music by the Spectacles and our second annual polka contest. More than 150 supporters joined us on October 3 and danced the night away. Extra thanks go out to David Goclowski for organizing the event, and to our sponsors, Alcoa Howmet, Maximus Lease Finance Group, SBC of Branford, the Sound, Custom Engraving, and the Lazarus Family.

Here is a preview of our FY10 Annual Report. You can view the entire report online: www.harborhealthservices.org

“You can only get done what you can get done today. Recovery isn’t an overnight miracle; it takes a lot of hard work, and a lot of time, but I’ve seen a lot of people get better. I’m better because I came here to Harbor Health. It’s easier to start healing when you’re around other people who are going through the same thing.” ~ Billy

Billy worked through numerous groups and created what he calls his “second family” at Harbor Health; “Only one half of a percent of the world’s population have schizophre-nia, but I’ve met others here who are in recovery just like me. It’s nice to see other people experience my miracle and get better and better too.”

Billy says that he commits himself every day to his recovery, constantly adding new skills to his toolbox to help him live a lifetime of continued recovery from dual diagnosis. Right now he spends most of his free time volunteering, cooking and cleaning at OPTIONS, helping out at Alcathons during the holidays, and advocating for others with Keep the Promise.

Visit www.harborhealthservices.org to read more. 

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Are You Tired of Waiting Months to See Your Prescriber? Prescriber Walk-in (PWI) May be for You!

Harbor Health is making a change beginning in January. Cathy Florio, APRN, Jonathan Lowe, APRN, and Dr. Reardon will each have a 2 1/2 hour block each week for PWI appointments, simply call (203) 483-2630 and ask to make an appointment for PWI– it’s that simple!

When you call for an appointment, the receptionist will give you a date and block of time. Clients will be seen on a first come, first served basis so keep in mind there may be a wait.

*PWI appointments will be scheduled within 2 weeks of initial phone call!*

If you’re still unsure if PWI is for you, speak to a staff member to learn more.

OPTIONS held a candidates forum in September to both educate local legislative candidates, and them-selves as voters. All local districts were represented, and each legislator took the time to answer questions and speak one on one with clients.

The first OPTIONS art show was a tremendous success! More than 50 people gathered at the James Blackstone Memorial Library on Saturday, October 9 to celebrate and enjoy the artistic talents of 10 of our clients. Many thanks to everyone who participated, and special thanks to Cheri’s Bakery for donating pastry for the event.

OPTIONS held its annual Thanksgiving dinner on November 18 at the Congregational Church in Branford. More than 200 HHSI clients and their families enjoyed turkey, stuffing, and all the trimmings.

Doctor’s Corner

Days of Caring HHSI was fortunate once again to benefit from the United Way of Greater New Haven’s Days of Caring. On September 10 a group of volunteers led by board member Charlotte Mattei spent the morning revitalizing the parking lot and exterior at our Briarwood apartments. Charlotte’s group repainted all of the lines in the parking lot, as well as the doors and window frames on the first floor.

On that same day, a group of volunteers from Covidien helped us to reclaim the hill in the lower parking lot at our main building by tearing out all the weeds, digging a trench, installing pressure treated ties, planting vinca and spreading mulch.

CommuniCare, Inc. Annual Meeting

Wednesday, December 15, 2010, Leon’s Restaurant in New Haven, 9 am. Honoring Terry Edelstein with the Denis Olsen Public Advocacy Award. Featuring Linda Rosenberg, president/CEO of the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare. Call (203) 878-6365 x504 for reservations as seating is limited.

Walk-In Community Support Services

Every Tuesday: North Haven Town Hall Annex, 5 Linsley Street, North Haven 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Groups meeting at HHSI, 14 Sycamore Way, Branford

Every Tuesday: DBSA peer-led support group, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Third Thursday each month: HHSI Parents & Families Support Group, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

Second Thursday each month: NAMI support group, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

**Please note that the HHSI Parents & Families Support Group now meets on only the third Thursday

of each month from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.**

Upcoming Events

OPTIONS Nook

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14 Sycamore Way Branford, CT 06405 **Return Service Requested**

Celebrating 30 Years... Photo Gallery

The mission of Harbor Health Services, Inc. is to improve the quality of life of the people we serve by

providing comprehensive, effective and efficient mental health and addiction services.

HHSI is supported by the CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the Guilford Community Fund, the Guilford Human Services Council, the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, the Alcoa Foundation, and the Town of Branford.

HHSI is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities and is licensed by the Department of Public Health.

HHSI is a partner agency of CommuniCare, Inc.

An Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer

Guilford Community Fund