New Era, New Name: Branford Counseling & Community Services
On the cusp of serving the town for 50 years, Branford Counseling Center enters a new era with a new name: Branford Counseling & Community Services (BCCS). The name change, and a new logo, were unveiled at an Oct. 24 open house attended by local leaders, supporters, people served by BCCS programming, and representatives of the close working partnership of professionals assisting BCCS with clients.
BCCS is located in the former Harbor Street School building at 342 Harbor St. The municipal agency was instituted in May of 1970.
Speaking during the gathering at BCCS on Oct. 24, BCCS Executive Director Peter Cimino said the agency's new name more fully reflects "...what we've been doing for all these years – the clinical piece of it, the social services piece of it, and community services — the piece that we do which we don't get as much recognition for." He added it will also underscore, now and in the coming years, that, "...we're here to do a lot more."
Cimino also noted, "I think what's important for everybody to know is that next year will be 50 years that we've done this. That's a long time. We appreciate that the town has supported this agency for 50 years."
Community services offered through BCCS include Branford Youth Service Bureau, Employee Assistance Program, drug and alcohol prevention programs, school mentoring programs, on-going series on aging talks at the senior center, outreach talks on PTSD and depression with Army Reserve members, a youth outreach worker for at-risk youth, the annual client Secret Santa program, client Holiday Dinner and Branford's annual Pat Andriole Family Day, to name a few.
Through BCCS's affiliations with programs including National Alliance on Mental Illness, Literacy Volunteers and Children's Mindfulness Group, the agency also offers special community programming to address impactful issues. In 2018, the BCCS-led Opiate/Prescription Drug Education Network (OPEN) brought BMX pro and Olympic coach Tony Hoffman here, for a free community talk at Branford High School. Hoffman discussed his early teen struggles with mental health issues, years of opiate and prescription drug abuse and his road to recovery. Also in 2018, BCCS held a free community screening of the awarding-winning documentary, "The Happy Movie," centered on balancing daily stress and distractions with developing strong relationships, health and personal fulfillment to pursue healthier and happier lives.
BCCS is also involved in community partnerships through collaborations with the Summer Youth Employment Program, Shoreline Youth Collaborative, Local Prevention Council and Juvenile Review Board. In addition, BCCS also partners with Branford Cares, Branford Community Foundation and Branford Rotary Club.
BCCS Clinical and Social Services
BCCS clinical and social services assist approximately 400 residents per month. Agency funding comes from sources including the Town of Branford, CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, CT Department of Education and private donations. To assist clients, BCCS accepts most private insurance, Medicaid (Husky), and Medicare reimbursement.
BCCS clinical services are provided by licensed staff together with visiting Board Certified Adult and Child Psychiatrists. Programs offered include group, individual and family therapy, counseling for all ages and families, play therapy for younger children, medication evaluation and management, crisis intervention services, urgent visits and 24/7 crisis on-call phone contact.
Social Services offered by BCCS licensed staff include case management, emergency temporary "Basic Needs" assistance (food, medication, housing, fuel and home heating); entitlement assistance, insurance application assistance, rent subsidy program (based on available grant funding), security deposit program and utility subsidy program.
How BCCS Can Help
Guests attending the Oct. 24 open house also met with some community members who have been or are being assisted by BCCS. Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Sabrina Danard introduced a small group of guests to a mother of three who first sought assistance from the agency in 2011, due to a violent relationship, said Danard. The mom and two of her children received different therapy services and the family also benefited from programs including Secret Santa. The mom talked about not understanding English when she first arrived here, and learning the language by following her kids' homework, beginning with kindergarten. She became a successful, single working mom who has now launched one child into adulthood, has another in college and another who intends to study law after completing high school. Last year, she earned her U.S. Citizenship. Now, she's giving back to her community by volunteering with another area social services organization.
Many more people have shared their success stories and thanks with staff, said BCCS Assistant Director and LCSW Catherine Stone. She pointed to the center's Happiness Project bulletin board in the lobby, which displays notes and drawings completing the thought, "What Branford Counseling Means to Me..." Among the messages posted are those reading, "Peace of Mind," "It's my mooring," "BCC has saved my life! I don't know what I would do without them," "Branford Counseling helps people feel free to speak to someone about a problem or situation they are having," and child's drawing of two people painting pictures together, under the words, "Helping me with my problems."
For more information on Branford Counseling & Community Services visit www.branford-ct.gov/counseling or call (203) 481-4248.