In September 2024, we unveiled a refreshed name, logo, and mission that underscores our dedication to providing comprehensive and accessible care for our community. The rebranding includes a vibrant new logo featuring the CFA name surrounded by five colorful rays, each representing one of our core service areas. This dynamic design embodies our commitment to a brighter future and highlights the comprehensive nature of our services.
CFA hosted the ribbon cutting for the Agency’s new Urgent Crisis Center, serving Region 4 of Connecticut. The Urgent Crisis Center is part of a new, state-wide initiative to help Connecticut children and youth actively experiencing a mental health or behavioral health crisis. This Center is one of four across the state.
Representative Joe Courtney annually receives submissions for important projects impacting Connecticut’s Second District. CFA applied and received over half a million in funding to establish our Early Childhood Mental Health Consulting Program. This initiative provides mental health support to children from Pre-K to 2nd grade in school and/or in their home environments. Funding is provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
The National School-Based Health Alliance had $12,018,594.00 in grant funding to establish new School-Based Health Centers across the state of Connecticut. CFA received $2,971,661.00 of the grant funding and opened new School-Based Health Centers in Ledyard, Stonington, Groton, and the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System. There are now 21 CFA-operated School-Based Health Centers, which mark CFA as one of Connecticut’s largest School-Based Health Center providers.
Through partnership and advocacy with state and local leaders, CFA opened a new outpatient mental health clinic to address the significant lack of mental health resources available to low-income residents. CFA’s Pawcatuck clinic marks its fourth clinic offering evidence-based mental health treatment and psychiatry care. This new space, located at 37 South Broad Street, is within walking distance of the highest-needs individuals and families in the area, eliminating barriers to high-quality care.
CFA opened a medical clinic in Westbrook to provide expert primary care medical services to the surrounding community.
CFA implemented new, community-based mental health services in collaboration with the Town of Colchester’s Youth & Social Services Department. Services are open to children and youth in Colchester, ages 6-18, providing behavioral health access for 15 hours per week.
CFA opened a new behavioral health clinic in Westbrook, CT, to continue addressing the mental health crisis in Connecticut. Located at 4 Grove Beach Road North, Unit 2D, this Clinic replaced CFA’s Essex Outpatient clinic and offers vital clinical services provided by licensed clinical professionals. Services include screening and assessments, counseling, psychiatric services, addiction and substance use services, peer support, and more.
CFA placed a new community navigator at the Public Library of New London. This position works with library staff, patrons, and local community organizations offering weekly mental health resources to New London residents experiencing a crisis.
CFA introduced perinatal and maternal mental health services available to women and couples in southern CT. A grant awarded by the Women and Girls Fund of the Community Foundation of Eastern CT allowed CFA to train clinicians in perinatal and maternal focused Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, an evidence-based practice. CFA is the first Agency in southern CT to provide these services.
CFA completed a renovation to the Agency’s Groton Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinic. Spearheaded by Centerbrook Architects, the renovation has increased space to deliver a complete range of treatment options, improved accessibility for clients through a first-floor waiting room, a new dedicated space for group therapy, and first-floor therapeutic offices. In addition to the renovation work completed throughout the Outpatient Clinic, CFA’s Early Childhood Development Center, which shares building space with the Outpatient Clinic, also underwent a small renovation, resulting in a new and improved pre-school classroom.
CFA established the CFA Medical Clinic, an outpatient clinic for southern CT residents. Licensed by the CT Department of Public Health, the CFA Medical Clinic provides holistic, integrated, and accessible health care. The Clinic is open to children, families, and single adults and can provide physicals, acute care visits, treatment for chronic conditions, mental health screens, and more.
In partnership with Middlesex Health and the Connecticut Community Doulas, CFA implemented a new program, Healthy Futures. Accessible to Middlesex County families, Healthy Futures provides in-home support utilizing the Parents as Teachers (PAT) curriculum. This new program, supported by a grant awarded by the CT Office of Early Childhood, increases CFA’s presence and services to Middlesex County.
CFA announced a new facet to their long-standing partnership with the City of New London, allowing the New London Public School District to offer their new educational and support services at BP Learned Mission. This collaboration signifies new opportunities for New London’s children and families and a new beginning for BP Learned Mission to continue serving as a safe space for New London’s children and youth for generations to come.
CFA established an Enhanced Care Clinic at the Ocean Avenue LEARNing Academy in New London, CT. The Academy supports students with developmental disabilities, emotional and behavioral challenges, or complex medical needs ranging from pre-kindergarten through age 21. Through the Clinic, CFA provides on-site behavioral health and psychotherapy support.
CFA’s endowment surpassed $4 Million, totaling $4,641,644 by the close of CFA’s 19/20 fiscal year.
In March of 2020 CFA incorporated telehealth into its therapeutic and School-Based Health Center programming due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
In November 2019, CFA established two alternative therapeutic spaces at our Essex Child Guidance Clinic. These new spaces are geared toward calming the senses to make therapy more effective. Clients may work with their therapist on the outdoor swing and explore different ways to calm their visual and tactile senses in the indoor sensory room (pictured above).
CFA successfully funded the renovation to the Groton Early Childhood Development Center playground and celebrated its grand opening in September 2019. This playground plays an integral role in our ability to provide quality childcare and early learning experiences for the children served at this center.
Onward Leaders of Child and Family Agency hosted their first event at Saltwater Farm Vineyard in June 2019. Onward Leaders is comprised of forward-thinking, community-minded individuals who promote CFA throughout our service area.
In 2017, CFA launched our “What If” Campaign to support the CFA endowment.
CFA’s Adult Outpatient Treatment provides mental health services to southeastern CT residents over the age of 18. This expansion of CFA’s services allows the Agency to provide services to enrolled youth who age out of the Child Guidance Clinic program, their caregivers, and individual adults.
CFA’s School-Based Health Centers celebrated 25 years of service to Southeastern CT schools at Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School, the location of the Agency’s first SBHC. The Agency now operates 13 centers throughout New London, Groton, Stonnington, and Waterford.
Groundbreaking for the renovation and expansion of B.P. Learned Mission, located at 40 Shaw Street, New London. The center was reopened to the public on October 22, 2006, in a grand opening celebration!
BP Learned Mission merged with Child and Family Agency, providing after-school and summer care to local children. Established in the late 1800s, BP Learned Mission (originally The Mission) has its own rich history, having provided a safe space for the children and families of New London for generations.
In 2000, the Child Guidance Clinic of Southeastern Connecticut merged with Child and Family Agency. The Child Guidance Clinic of Southeastern CT first opened its doors to the community in 1950.
CFA established a second Early Childcare and Education Center in Groton, CT.
Child and Family Agency earned accreditation for their Early Childcare and Education Program from the National Association for the Education of Young Children
In 1992 Child and Family Agency made the decision to close its adoption program.
In 1991 the New London Day Nursery merged with CFA. The same year, CFA purchased the Smith Memorial Home (pictured above) for use as the Smith-Bent Family Center and a new, larger home for the Nursery. Established in 1906, the New London Day Nursery has provided child care and early education services to the New London community for generations.
With the help of CFA’s Auxiliary members, local businesses, and community members CFA manages a yearly Polar Express program providing holiday gifts to client families.
CFA began providing high-risk southeastern CT families, children, and youth with in-home behavioral health support and child welfare programs.
In July of 1987, CFA opened its first School-Based Health Center at Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School in New London, CT. In addition to being CFA’s first School-Based Health Center, the SBHC at Bennie Dover Jackson was the first center of its kind in the city.
In the spring of 1986, CFA was designated as a Child Guidance Clinic for southern Middlesex County. CFA moved into the office located at 190 Westbrook Road (pictured above) in 1987.
CFA established its endowment with $184,899.00.
Child and Family Agency became incorporated in the State of Connecticut with the purpose to assist individuals and families, both adults and children, who face adversity. The Agency’s official name became Child and Family Agency of Southeastern Connecticut, Inc.
When Child and Family Services of Connecticut decided to focus on Hartford County and shift away from its state-wide presence, the Eastern District Committee decided to continue serving the local community as their own, independent entity.
In 1944 a group of 12 women organized the Eastern District Committee of Child and Family Services of Connecticut. The Eastern District Committee (soon to be Child and Family Agency of Southeastern CT, Inc.) supported the southeastern region of Connecticut for 27 years.