That's A Wrap! CCPWR Summer-Fall 2025 Update | | |
The Connecticut Center for Prevention, Wellness, and Recovery (CCPWR) offers comprehensive resources, programs, and trainings for students, professionals, and the general public.
From July to September 2025, CCPWR programs achieved a range of accomplishments and demonstrated continued success in their work. Read about notable highlights from each CCPWR program during this period below.
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This quarter, the Connecticut Clearinghouse hosted 6 well-received educational forums/trainings on a wide variety of topics, available to anyone, with over 150 people in attendance. People attended:
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Youth Mental Health First Aid
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Older Adult Mental Health First Aid
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Wellness Wednesday: Sound Healing
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Hidden Risks + Tough Conversations
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Understanding School Avoidance
- Connecting The Dots Between Wellness, Family and Education
On July 9, the Connecticut Clearinghouse presented about its program at a virtual lunch and learn hosted by the CT Prevention Training & Technical Assistance Service Center (TTASC).
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On September 9, the Connecticut Clearinghouse in collaboration with DMHAS hosted the 2025 Connecticut Prevention Summit at the Delamar Hotel in West Hartford, Connecticut.
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The event had over 230 attendees, featuring two keynote speakers, eight workshops, networking time, and resource tabling. Attendees reported high satisfaction with the event, with many positive comments and much excitement for the next summit. Notable comments include:
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“It was great, this event is super important for the prevention community so please keep doing it!”
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During this quarter, the Connecticut Clearinghouse disseminated almost 25,000 pamphlets and 400 posters, and over 4,000 factsheets, and 500 promotional items throughout the state.
In addition, the Connecticut Clearinghouse acquired several new hardcopy and e-book resources covering topics such as mental health disorders, substance use, and grief, in English, Spanish, and Polish. The collection also includes a variety of children’s activity books, arriving just in time for the back-to-school season. Click here to order their resources.
Some of these new titles are featured to the right:
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The Connecticut Clearinghouse staff also had the opportunity to travel throughout the state, attending various events to share resources and connect with the community.
Their outreach took them to parks, schools, conferences, universities, and more locations where they provided resources to over 1500 people.
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The Connecticut Clearinghouse also unveiled its new fall decorations, featuring a book-themed construction paper wall mural celebrating both the season and the Clearinghouse’s resources.
They also hosted a month-long food drive in September, with all the proceeds being donated to the Plainville Community Food Pantry. The staff at the food pantry wrote:
“A big THANK YOU goes out to our friends over at Connecticut Clearinghouse who helped raise/donate a full basket of goodies to help us keep the shelves stocked! Supporting the community takes a strong caring community. Thank you so much for being a part of that!! ”
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During this quarter, the Connecticut Healthy Campus Initiative (CHCI) awarded fifteen campuses the Connecticut Healthy Campus Initiative Opioid and Stimulant Education and Awareness Program grant.
In addition, on July 16, CHCI and the Youth Recovery CT program were featured guests on the National SMART Recovery podcast. Click here to listen to that episode.
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This quarter, TMCE updated its materials to align with new tobacco legislation in the state requiring retailers to check photo ID of everyone buying tobacco, oral nicotine and vapor products.
The program also began a rebranding effort featuring a new color scheme that will appear on all upcoming materials. These updates include a redesigned Notice of Law sign, postcard, and door and register stickers. See below:
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In September, the DMHAS Training Initiative launched its fall series of workforce development trainings. Throughout the month, the program hosted six sessions, including three new offerings held at the Connecticut Clearinghouse, Connecticut Valley Hospital, and online. Below is a list of the new courses introduced in September:
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Pat Deegan’s Hearting Distressing Voices Simulation: An Exercise in Empathy for Mental Health Professionals
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Competency to Stand Trial: Evaluation and Restoration
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Cultural Competency, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: What’s the Difference?
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Problem Gambling Training and Resources Initiative:
A statewide initiative funded by the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) Problem Gambling Services Division. The goal is to provide the Connecticut population with prevention, treatment, information and resources that they need to promote problem gambling awareness in their communities. The goal is also to offer access to free online trainings that teach them how to identify and support individuals with gambling disorder or those impacted by gambling-related harm.
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During this quarter, this initiative offered three trainings with a total of 116 attendees. These trainings were well attended and received. Some comments about these courses include:
“It was very informative to learn about defining gambling for students and gaps with existing tools to identify risky and problematic behavior”
“This presentation answered a myriad of questions I had concerning the relationship of gambling and SUDs to suicide”.
These trainings were as follows:
- A New Emerging Adult Gambling Screen: Purpose, Development, and Validation
- Gambling & Suicide: The Who, The Why and What to Do
- Gambling and the Hispanic/Latine Populations: Strategies for Working with Individuals and Families and Community Engagement
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In addition, the initiative also developed new webpages this quarter to support DMHAS Problem Gambling Services. Some of these new webpages include:
- Voluntary Self-Exclusion Process
- Print Materials (factsheets, infographics, pamphlets, posters, wallet cards)
- Provider Tools and Resources (Can You Rank the Risks? Risk Ranking Activity and Know the Risks: Phone Lock Boxes)
Click here to learn more about this initiative and order their resources.
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Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS):
An initiative that coordinates trainings for new clinicians as well as booster sessions for existing clinicians providing CBITS and Bounce Back groups across the state. CBITS is a school-based intervention to address trauma related challenges with students in grades 5 -12. Bounce Back was adapted from CBITS for students in grades K - 4.
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In July – September 2025, Wheeler in collaboration with the Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) and the Department of Children and Families (DCF) hosted one round of New Clinician trainings.
This resulted in 21 newly certified CBITS clinicians, 27 newly certified Bounce Back clinicians and 48 toolkits delivered statewide in collaboration with the Change the Script team
Looking ahead, the CBITS program will be hosting 6 more virtual trainings and delivering another round of the toolkits statewide.
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In July – September 2025, the CSSD team managed over 80 trainings, with a cumulative attendance of 660 contracted providers trained last quarter.
In addition to the details of coordinating trainings, this team also works closely with JBCSSD Training Academy staff to maintain a robust and accurate Learning Management System (LMS), to provide excellent support to LMS users on a daily basis, and promote available trainings to increase training participation.
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During this quarter a total of 14 Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) trainings were held, reaching more than 200 participants. This included six Adult MHFA trainings, three Youth MHFA, and one Older Adult MHFA.
Some comments about these trainings and the instructors include:
"This training is beneficial for professional settings, especially those that are student facing and you serve in a position of someone who is a resource, but helps to highlight struggles you may see from your loved ones and those outside of work as well by recognizing warning signs..."
"When assisting young adult students during mental health challenges, I have used my MHFA training to intentionally in ensuring that I am the ALGEE steps when assessing their needs, listening and providing guidance, and encouraging them to seek further assistance with a professional when needed..."
"Well-spoken and well-presented information. Positive and non-judgmental demeanor. Kind and warm personality."
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Mobile Crisis Intervention Services - Performances Improvement Center (MCIS-PIC):
A program responsible for delivering a standardized workforce development and training curriculum that address the core competencies for MCIS staff who provide in person crisis stabilization services for youth. There are thirteen regular training modules offered on topics including crisis assessment, planning, and intervention, trauma-informed care, school refusal, and culturally responsive mental health care.
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During this quarter, the MCIS-PIC Summer Training Institute completed its in-person sessions at three locations: One Hope Street in Bristol, the Connecticut Clearinghouse in Plainville, and the Burroughs Community Center in Bridgeport.
A total of 131 participants attended these summer trainings. The program has now transitioned to its Fall/Winter virtual training series.
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During this quarter, the Southington Community Health Outreach Project hosted several outreach events throughout the town of Southington. These events provided attendees with information on how residents can access behavioral health education, resources, and referrals to support overall well-being.
In addition, the program created several new resources, including a new one-page flyer that was created to explain the Southington Community Health Outreach Project to provide a clear overview of its goals and community impact.
SCHOP also created Halloween-themed mental health awareness bookmarks for a Trunk or Treat event coming up on October 30 at the Southington ARC.
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SCHOP also developed and launched the Southington Behavioral Health and Social Services Stakeholders’ Newsletter.
It will be distributed bi-weekly during the months that members do not meet, helping stakeholders stay connected and informed about community events, updates and initiatives. Each edition will include event flyers, and information shared by stakeholders and their organizations.
The first edition was released in early October 2025 and the next will be distributed in December 2025.
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SCHOP also recently released the 4th edition of the Southington Behavioral Health Resource Guide. Which is a comprehensive guide to services addressing basic needs and behavioral health - including mental health and substance use resources available within the Southington community and surrounding areas.
Copies are available at: Southington YMCA, Calendar House, Bread for Life, and the Southington Public Library.
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During this quarter, the Youth Recovery CT program hosted multiple Smart Recovery Facilitator trainings. The program also had the chance to participate and host several community events during this quarter, including:
- Introduction to Zentangle at the Plainville Public Library
- IOAD (International Overdose Awareness Day) Glastonbury Night of Awareness
- IOAD Town of Manchester Overdose Awareness Vigil
- UCONN Student Health and Wellness Fair
- West Hartford Prevention Partnership Recovery Mural Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony at Blue Back Square
In addition, on July 16, Youth Recovery CT and the Connecticut Healthy Campus Initiative (CHCI) were guests on the National SMART Recovery podcast. Click here to listen to that episode.
| | | This quarter’s accomplishments showcase the continued dedication and collaboration of the Connecticut Center for Prevention, Wellness, and Recovery (CCPWR) programs. Together, these efforts strengthen communities across Connecticut and reinforce CCPWR’s mission to promote prevention, wellness, and recovery for all. | | | | |
