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Programs

Positive Youth Development Team

After School Programs

Linking Academics to Life: Unparalleled college, career and life-readiness after school program for high school youth with focus areas in Senior Prep, Entrepreneurship, Journalism and Studio Arts. >more

PROUD!: A program that gives LGBTQ+ -identified and questioning youth a safe and supportive place to discuss topics they feel are relevant to their experiences and identities.

Study and Transcend Institutional Racism (STIR) Program: A program for young people to learn history in an uncensored environment while appreciating and understanding the history of Black and Indigenous Persons Of Color (BIPOC). This enables them to promote community and cultural change more effectively. Youth participate in a trip to Washington DC as a component of the program. >more

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Mentoring Programs

REAL Mentoring: Individualized mentoring programs for youth. Model emphasizes connecting youth with a mentor within their naturally occurring support system.  >more

Clinical Team

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Crisis Intervention

  • Youth & Family Emergency Services (YFES): Provides crisis intervention for youth ages 6-24 and their families experiencing severe conflict or crisis warranting immediate intervention through:
  • Youth Experiencing Homelessness Resource Center: Youth are connected to housing and provided ongoing case management until needs are met.
  • Supervised Visitations: Provides non-custodial parents with a safe, supervised environment to visit their children free from conflict.
  • Crisis Counseling for youth and their families 6-24.
  • >more

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Other

Community Housing Assistance Program & Community Housing Employment Enrichment Program. (CHAP/CHEER) serves youth ages 18-23 who are “aging out” of foster care. A partnership with CT Dept. of Children & Families that helps youth set goals, pursue higher education, find a career, develop life skills and establish independence. >more

Juvenile Justice Team

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Diversion Programs

Juvenile Review Board: A community-based diversion process offered to youth who have committed minor delinquent acts or youth who are displaying at risk behaviors at home or school that could result in an arrest or a referral to the juvenile court. A partnership with the State of Connecticut. >more

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Truancy

Truancy Prevention Program: Goal is to reduce unexcused absences, which will encourage completion in school and furthering education. Includes home visitation, supportive counseling, referral, advocacy, parental involvement, and case management to assist youth in reaching their full potential. >more

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Out of School Suspension Program

Reboot: A Program for Waterbury Public Schools Out-of-School Suspension (OSS) Middle School Students. The program is facilitated in a safe, pro-social, pro-educational, positive youth development setting. The program also provides a chance for youth in out of school suspension to reboot in a structured environment. >more

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Other

Local Interagency Service Team Meeting (LIST):  LIST is a communitywide meeting facilitated monthly by WYS that provides information and training about juvenile justice issues in the Greater Waterbury area.

Racial & Ethnic Disparities/ Disproportionate Minority Contact: A community-wide meeting facilitated by WYS that analyzes data on the demographics of youth involved with the juvenile justice system and with school disciplinary practices. The team monitors the disproportionate effects of local systemic practices on youth of color and looks for ways to decrease the effects on youth in our community.

Additional Support Services

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Child Advocacy

Child Advocacy Center of Greater Waterbury (formerly Child Abuse Interdisciplinary Team): Works to investigate and prosecute cases where child sexual abuse or serious physical abuse is alleged or suspected. Coordinates efforts of all professionals involved in the investigation and prosecution process of child abuse. >more

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Summer Programs

Serves children ages 4-13. Provides children the chance to develop life long skills and friendships, build character, grow more independent, discover new interests, spend the day being physically active, and reconnect with nature in the structured and fun Kiwanis Camp facility in Wolcott, CT. Activities include arts and crafts, swimming, sports, hiking, bike riding, field trips and games. A partnership with Kiwanis Club of Waterbury and Waterbury Police Activity League. >more

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Other

Support For Self Determination/POWER: Comprehensive, 26 week professional home day care training program to assist participants in acquiring the skills enabling them to work in and/or operate their own business in the area of childcare. Conducted entirely in Spanish. >more

Apoyo para la autodeterminación/POWER: Programa integral de capacitación profesional en cuidado diurno en el hogar de 26 semanas para ayudar a los participantes a adquirir las habilidades que les permitan trabajar y/o operar su propio negocio en el área del cuidado infantil. Realizado íntegramente en español. >más