Volunteer Opportunities for Western Connecticut

In partnership with United Way of Western Connecticut

Family & Children's Aid, Inc. believes that seeking help is a sign of strength. We believe that excellent care should be available to individuals & families in all walks of life, throughout the lifespan and without discrimination. Family & Children's Aid is committed to being responsive to the community & adapting our services to the needs of clients. We create & respond to request for new programs, open new services and increase service availability whenever community needs require.

Description:
Family & Children's Aid, Inc. is a private non-profit social service agency, which has served the Connecticut community for nearly two hundred years. The agency has grown into a multi-functional organization offering over 16 programs in a range of services including outpatient and regional residential programs for children and families.



Current Agency Services include the following, see our website for more details:

Safe Homes (Danbury & Shelton):

DCF grant program which provide 24 hour, 7 day per week residential care with a comprehensive clinical evaluation of foster children.

Permanency Diagnostic Center:

Opened on January 1st 2003, this program also provide 24 hour, 7 day per week residential care with a comprehensive clinical evaluations of multiply placed foster children. Located in Danbury this program serves 16 children from the entire state.

Child Guidance Clinic:

Founded in 1978, the clinic provides evaluation and treatment of children 0 to18 years old and their families. We provide services in the clinic at our offices in Danbury and New Milford or at clients' homes.

KIDHELP Northwest: Toll Free 1-866-543-2774

A DCF grant program that provides rapid response to psychiatric emergencies in children aged 0 to18 years.

Home Care Service
A program funded in part by the United Way, Department of Social Services, Department of Human Resources, Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging, and Connecticut Community Care, Inc. designed to support the elderly and physically challenged in independent living.

Family Centers (Danbury & Torrington)
A DCF grant program specializing in supervised visitation for children in foster care.

Extended Day Treatment Program
A DCF grant program, recently expanded from 15 to 31 slots as part of the KidCare initiative. There are two treatment sections for high-risk children who require intensive treatment.

Juvenile Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment Services
A Court Support Services grant program in which FCA collaborates with the YMCA. Provides drug and alcohol abuse detection and psychotherapy treatment to high-risk juveniles and their families.

One on One Mentoring Program
DCF involved children ages 8-21 receive mentors to guide them through often-difficult transitions.

Harmony House
As of July 1, 2002 FCA assumed the operation of the former Thresholds Women & Children's Shelter. Harmony House provides shelter for 16 homeless women and children 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

History:
The story of Family & Children's Aid (FCA) leads back to America's earliest efforts to protect children. The agency's history begins before that, in the 1800s.

In 1892 Smith founded Connecticut Children's Aid Society (CCA). By 1896 she incorporated it as the first statewide agency for the care of dependent children.
CCA satellite offices soon opened throughout the state.
By 1926 CCA's Fairfield District Branch opened at 30 West Street, Danbury, with two children under its care.

CCA combined services with the Hartford Orphan Asylum in 1950 and became known as the statewide, private, non-sectarian Children's Services of Connecticut.

In 1973, after several more mergers and metamorphoses, Family & Children's Aid, Inc., came into being as it is known today.

Contact people:

Valerie Ventura, MSW, LCSW, Clinical Director, 203-748-5689, (email) Beth Agen, Community Relations Manager, (203) 748-5689 x149, (email)

Address:

75 West St. Danbury, CT 06810 (See a map)

Directions:

* I-84 West to exit 4 in Danbury * At light at the end of exit go left onto Lake Ave. Extension * Straight through the next 5 lights = 1.2 miles from the exit * After 5th light the 1st road on. . . (more)   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: n/a   Nearest Bus Stop: less 1 mile, 5 minute walk