United Way of Connecticut’s (UWC) service mission is to help meet the needs of Connecticut and its residents by providing information, education, and connection to services. United Way of Connecticut is proud to partner with the State of Connecticut, local United Ways, and many community partners to carry out our service mission through the following: •Through the 211 program, UWC helps people find and access basic needs such as shelter and food, provides suicide intervention services, and helps children and adults in crisis. •Through 211 child Care, Care 4 Kids and 211 Child Development Infoline, UWC provides information about child care, early intervention services, and developmental concerns. •When a natural disaster or personal crisis threatens or occurs, UWC provides people access to essential information before, during, and after the event. •As the statewide association of United Ways, UWC fosters collaboration and provides support for initiatives that benefit and improve our communities. Named one of Hartford Business Journal’s 2023 “Best Places to Work"

From prevention to crisis… The Village does whatever it takes to help children, adults and families transform their lives and achieve real and meaningful change. The Village has been serving children and families for over 200 years. Today, we are one of the most respected child and family serving organizations in the state, helping vulnerable children and families at all levels of need…from children who have severe emotional or mental health problems to those who need support and guidance to stay on a successful path. We have also grown and evolved to better serve the needs of our community by adding mental health and substance abuse services for adults and partnering with primary care service providers to form integrated pediatric clinics. Our mission is to build a community of strong healthy families who protect and nurture children. We believe that families can thrive despite traumatic experiences they may have suffered in the past or adversity that may overwhelm them now. Our continuum of behavioral health treatment and support services for children and adults allows us to customize programs to treat the whole person – mentally and physically – and help children, adults and families build resilience to overcome challenges that life throws at them. The work we do enables children to be socially and emotionally healthy, thrive in safe and permanent homes and to succeed academically. We help adults to be effective, nurturing caregivers, and be able to manage and prevent crises. Our work also builds strong, stable communities. That’s good for everyone – in every community. To learn more – and meet some of our clients and dedicated staff – visit www.thevillage.org or call 860-236-4511.

Family & Children's Aid (FCA) is a community-based, non-profit agency designed to help support and heal Connecticut's children, adolescents and their families by providing high quality emerging and evidence-based mental health services. FCA believes that seeking help is a sign of strength and that excellent care should be available to individuals and families in all walks of life, whenever needed and without discrimination. FCA’s clinical services reach throughout western Connecticut and include group homes for children and adolescents who have been removed from their home environments by the CT Department of Children and Families, outpatient therapeutic programs, Therapeutic Foster Care program, and in-home and community-based services for children and families who are at-risk for, or are in the midst of crisis. FCA's main campus is located in Danbury, with additional offices in Waterbury, Torrington, New Britain, Shelton, Bridgeport and New Milford to better serve clients throughout western CT.

Since 1988 Alternatives For Children, a not-for-profit private school, has been at the forefront in providing educational experiences to a broad spectrum of children from across Long Island. Alternatives For Children is approved by the New York State Department of Health as an Early Intervention Program provider under contract with Nassau and Suffolk Counties, and is a New York State Preschool Special Education provider, offering both integrated and self-contained preschool classes. Alternatives For Children provides a nurturing environment for children that reflects our longstanding commitment to children, their individual needs, and our own high standards. A dynamic early childhood environment is one in which children are encouraged to be creative, explore and experiment in order to meet or exceed the criteria established for their age. Children who graduate from our program are given the tools they need to be ready to learn and be successful as they transition to the kindergarten environment. Approved and licensed by the New York State Departments of Education and Health, the New York State Office of Children & Family Services, the Nassau & Suffolk County Department of Health Divisions of Services for Children with Special Needs. All classes are taught by New York State dually certified special education/early childhood teachers working in collaboration with certified teaching assistants. Therapeutic services are provided by specially trained, licensed/certified therapists experienced in working with young children. Counseling and social work services are provided by licensed/certified psychologists and social workers. Alternatives For Children is a longstanding member of the National Association of Private Special Education Centers. Alternatives For Children is committed to adhering to the Developmentally Appropriate Practices of NAEYC

Founded in 1903, Klingberg Family Centers is a private, nonprofit multi-service agency providing help to thousands of persons across Connecticut each year. Our goal is to extend hope and healing to children and families whose lives have been traumatized by abuse and/or neglect in its various forms, severe family problems and mental health issues. Through an array of group care, special education, foster care and community programs, children and parents are given the encouragement and skills they need to function more effectively at home, in school and in their community. Our main campus is located in New Britain, Connecticut. We also offer a wide range of community services from our office in Hartford.

Connecticut Institute For Communities, Inc. (CIFC) is a locally based independent, non-profit, IRS recognized Section 501(C) (3) Community Development Corporation (CDC), whose Mission is dedicated to advancing our communities, and fostering greater opportunities for low and moderate income individuals and families of our service areas, through a combination of health and education programs, and housing and economic development projects. It is the only such organization in Western Connecticut.

A Head Start Organization

Recovery Network of Programs (RNP) is a non-profit social service agency that has been providing critical recovery care and support services to the Greater Bridgeport Community for 50 years. Our dedicated staff is experienced in delivering inclusive care that is held to the highest standards of respect, integrity, and excellence. Our mission is to provide comprehensive care and expert recovery services to any individual or family on their journey to restore hope, health, and healing. We are committed to empowering those in need to get the compassionate and personalized support they deserve to help improve their lives, all while creating impactful change in our community. At RNP, we understand that the road to recovery is different for each individual. Whether you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, mental health, or behavioral health, we tailor our holistic service offerings to meet the personal needs of each client, providing integrated support through every stage of recovery. Regardless of race, gender, age, sexual identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, or financial status, we are here to provide a safe and healing environment for all. For more information, visit: www.recovery-programs.org.

STAR is a not-for-profit organization serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as providing support services to their families. They create opportunities for individuals to live full lives with independence, freedom of choice and personal growth by providing support, services and advocacy. STAR is located at 182 Wolfpit Avenue in Norwalk, and serves Mid-Fairfield County Connecticut with additional offices at TEC in South Norwalk, the STAR Rubino Family Center in Norwalk, and over 25 residential and community-based employment programs serving clients throughout Norwalk, Westport, Darien, New Canaan, Wilton, and Weston. STAR was established in 1952 by parents who believed that children with intellectual and developmental disabilities were entitled to the same basic opportunities as other children. Today, the organization has grown to include a full array of services for over 600 individuals with disabilities, from birth to their senior years, and their families. Services include: early intervention programs for infants and preschoolers; family support; job assessment and training; recreation and leisure activities; and residential support to adults in group homes and apartments. For more information, visit www.starct.org .

For nearly 60 years, Easterseals has been the indispensable resource for people and families facing disability. We believe that anyone facing a disability can reach their potential and our diverse programs and services support this belief. Throughout the Greater Waterbury, Central and Northwest CT communities, we strive to provide a broad network of services including school readiness education, early intervention, rehabilitation services, vocational services and audiology services. These services assist children, adults and their families to live, learn, work and play as integral members of the community. Easterseals is changing the way the world defines and views disabilities by making profound, positive differences in people’s lives every day. BIRTH TO THREE SERVICES Easterseals provides services for the Birth to Three Program, a State-of-Connecticut early intervention program available to eligible families whose children under age 3 have significant developmental delays or disabilities CHILDREN'S ACADEMY Provides an inclusive, high quality early care and education that promotes a child's social, emotional, physical and cognitive growth. We offer a full day, year-round program, parental support and a School Readiness program to prepare children for Kindergarten success. CENTER FOR BETTER HEARING Our highly skilled audiologists conduct comprehensive evaluations to determine the nature of a person’s hearing difficulties. EMPLOYMENT AND COMMUNITY SERVICES Employment and Community Services offers a CARF accredited employment program including pre-vocational evaluation, work adjustment training, employment planning, school-to-work transition, supported employment, and job placement services. DRIVER ASSESSMENT PROGRAM We provide thorough driving assessments - both clinical and on-the-road - as well as vehicle equipment recommendations.

Horizons' mission is to create and sustain person-centered opportunities for people with special needs where they live, learn, work and play.

Founded in 1942, Boys & Girls Village serves children and families in at-risk situations by strengthening their ability to succeed in life. Through its four-pronged approach of behavioral health services, education and transitional training, permanency planning, and juvenile justice programs, BGV cares for the “whole child” to allow the youth’s development to progress in a positive direction. BGV offers in-home therapy, a special education day school for K to 12th grade, outpatient clinical services, therapeutic foster care, a residential program for youth with Problem Sexual Behavior, and multiple programs for court-involved youth. Clients come from 50 different communities throughout Connecticut, with the majority residing in Fairfield and New Haven counties. Children and adolescents who become part of the BGV family range in age from 3-18 years old often with histories of extensive abuse, neglect, or serious behavioral health disorders. Operating in four locations – Bridgeport, Norwalk, Milford, and Waterbury - Boys & Girls Village has highly skilled and dedicated staff to help Connecticut children and families heal, learn, and grow.