THE CHILD AND FAMILY

INSTITUTE OF FAIRFIELD COUNTYAT GREAT HOLLOW WILDERNESS SCHOOL

THE UNDER DEVELOPED GEM OF NEW FAIRFIELD AND SHERMAN CONNECTICUT

Healing Children Strengthening Families and Inspiring our Community

THE CHILD AND FAMILY INSTITUTE

OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY

THE MISSION of the Child and Family Institute of Fairfield County (CFI) is to provide comprehensive

and effective mental health services that change the lives of children, adolescents, and their families.

The Child and Family Institute of Fairfield County visions a community where children’s futures are not compromised by their differences. CFI believes that every individual deserves the opportunity to achieve his/her potential; and this value system is defined within its programs and organizational structure.

MISSION AND VISION

CFI’s primary goal is to provide clinical intervention that will support lifestyle choices and behavior changes that will strengthen and empower children and their families.

Our Comprehensive Approach includes working with the child as well as the family, school, and community agency resulting in sustainable and abiding positive change in the child’s life.

GOALS

Clinical and Psychiatric Evaluations Prior to the start of treatment, an extensive evaluation is completed on every

individual. This in-depth assessment ensures that a proper diagnosis and treatment plan can be made to guarantee effective treatment.

Individual, Group and Family Therapy The center provides psycho-educational and therapeutic groups. Groups are

designed to provide participants healthy coping and life skills. The focus is to develop skills to effectively manage anger and emotions, resolve conflicts, improve social relationships, and family functioning.

Parent Management Training Program This ten week course provides parents and caregivers with an understanding of

their child’s disorders and behaviors and teaches effective parenting skills, communication, problem solving techniques, and enhances family unity.

Liaison and Advocacy Services CFI provides liaison and advocacy services to school systems, community

agencies, and daycare facilities to ensure that clients are receiving the appropriate educational services and care.

We provide services to approximately 450 individuals annually

SERVICES

Mental illness among children and adolescents has reached epidemic

proportions, and is now considered to be the leading cause of disability in children.

5,ooo,ooo children and adolescents in the country

suffer from a serious mental health disorder that causes significant

impairment in functioning at home, school, and with

peers

STATEMENT OF NEED

5 million children and adolescents in the U.S. suffer from a serious mental illness such as

Symptoms can include frequent outbursts of anger, irritability, hyperactivity, excessive worries and fears, sadness, impulsivity, isolation, and hopelessness. These symptoms often interfere with a child’s ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with friends and family, perform well in school, and develop a good sense of themselves and their abilities.

eating disorders

pervasive development

disorders

anxiety disorders

learning disorders

tic disorders

mood disorders

CHILDREN NEED OUR HELP

If left un-treated, these youth are at a greater risk for developing maladaptive behaviors including bullying, aggression, self harm, and are likely to develop more serious mental health problems. Even more seriously, youth with mental health problems are most likely to experience school failure, substance abuse

issues and possible suicide.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15 – 24 year olds and the sixth leading cause of death for 5 – 15 year olds

•Despite the many mental health services that are available to children and their families the number of children experiencing mental health challenges is increasing and the impact on their lives is devastating. Unfortunately, many children don’t respond well to traditional types of therapy. Their age, lack of insight, lack of commitment, denial, and stigma are all barriers to successful treatment Wilderness Therapy provides challenging experiences in a supportive educational format so participants will develop inner strength, character and resolve.

GREAT HOLLOW

WILDERNESS SCHOOL

In the late 1960s, a 1,440

acre wildlife preserve in

New Fairfield was willed

to Wesleyan University by

Walter Gordon Merritt.

The land was named Great

Hollow and in 1969, a

wilderness program for

disadvantaged youth was

developed. This once

1,440 acre wildlife

preserve, now at 890

acres, was eventually sold

to the Regional YMCA of

Western Connecticut.

CFI held the Intensive

Summer Therapeutic

Program for children and

youth with emotional,

behavioral, and social

disorders from 1997 to

2011, when the YMCA

decided to sell the

property.

 

 

WILDERNESS THERAPY

Wilderness Therapy,

also known as Nature

Therapy, has been

instrumental in

creating significant

change in children’s

lives

It can be a life changing

and emotional healing

experience for

children, adolescents

and adults who are not

being reached by

traditional therapeutic

techniques

Acquiring Great

Hollow will enhance

CFI’s therapeutic

services by

incorporating nature

as a powerful source

of learning and

healing.

This innovative

approach will enhance

the lives of a greater

number of individuals

who otherwise may

not receive the

services they need.

Program Components

Therapeutic: Fosters improved communication, anger management, conflict resolution, social skills, and emotional health

Academics: Experiential Activities that improve academic functioning and enhance a positive attitude toward learning

Adventure Challenge: Hiking, rock climbing, caving, canoeing, and high ropes courses. These structured activities are designed to build confidence, trust, teamwork, and improve motivation for achievement

Cultural Enrichment: Dance, music, art therapy and drama provide participants healthy outlets for expressing emotions, fostering creativity and increasing self-esteem

Youth Leadership: Enhances leadership qualities, self advocacy, problem solving and decision making skills

B.O.O.S.TBUILDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR STUDENTS TO

THRIVE

THE CHILD &FAMILY

INSTUTUTE OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY….

We have seen

individuals

transformed by their

experience in the

B.O.O.S.T. Program

at Great Hollow.

The design of the

BOOST Program will

serve as a blueprint

for designing other

programs that

address issues such

as childhood

obesity, bullying,

substance abuse,

and autism.

The Peaceful Warrior: Powerful experiential program for children and adolescents who have issues with bullying

Harvest to Health: Experiential, skill building program for children and adolescents with the diagnosis of obesity

Second Chance: Cognitive behavioral wilderness program for adolescents with substance abuse issues

B.O.O.S.T. II: Intensive Therapeutic Program for children and adolescents on the Autism Spectrum

THERAPEUTIC PROGRAMS

GREAT HOLLOW

The experience of

being immersed in

an environment

different from

one’s everyday

world, coupled

with a strong

emphasis on

process and on

self-expression

leads to active

learning, which

makes an

impression on

people in powerful

and lasting ways …

EXPANSION OF EXISTING GREAT HOLLOW PROGRAMS

Provide Wilderness School Activities and Environmental Education Programs to an increased number of public and private

schools

Provide Summer Camp Programs to an increased

number of children

Provide College Orientation Programs to an increased number of colleges and

universities

DEVELOPMENT of “RECCONECT TO NATURE” PROGRAMS

Open Great Hollow to the public so everyone can enjoy hiking

and nature exploration

Provide Nature Excursions for individuals and families that

include kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing, and caving

The Great Hollow Environmental Center will provide educational

courses and programs to individuals of all ages

Being immersed in an environment different from one’s everyday world promotes self

examination and personal growth

BECOME A MEMBER OF OUR COMMITTED INVESTORS GROUP

WHO ARE DEDICATED TO PRESERVING THIS UNDER DEVELOPED GEM IN NEW FAIRFIELD AND SHERMAN

CONNECTICUT; AND MAINTAINING THE HEALTH AND

WELL-BEING OF OUR COMMUNITY

WE NEED YOUR HELP

The marketing plan will consist of the following components:

MARKETING PLAN

•A situation analysis•A positioning strategy•Reasonable, measurable and achievable objectives•Marketing goals that are likewise reasonable, measurable and achievable•Development of action steps and activities that match marketing opportunities with our own strengths and weaknesses

THE CHILD AND FAMILY INSTITUTE OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

MEDICAL DIRECTO

R

CLINICAL DIRECTOR

GREAT HOLLOW PROGRAM DIRECTOR

PROGRAM ADMINISTRAT

OR

DIRECTOR OF

DEVELOPMENT

CC

C

C

C

ASSISTANT PROGRAM DIRECTOR

OFFICE MANAGE

R

WILDERNESS STAFF

BOOK KEEPER

ASSISTANT