Programs

PROGRAMS

BETTER HORIZONS

Better Horizons is Y-US’ longstanding program, which has been in existence since 1989. Better Horizons provides a long-term peer support program serving approximately 30 children, ages 8-15, from the southern half of Hartford. Participants attend the program two days per week from 4:30pm-7pm and two Saturdays per month from 10am-4pm. Activities include therapeutic play, peer support meetings, arts & crafts, educational activities, meals and outings. The program operates year round and features outdoor recreation and camping trips during the summer months.

BUILDING FAMILIES FAST

Building Families FAST (Foster and Adoptive Support Team) is the agency’s second major program that began serving youth in the summer of 2000. FAST is a short-term adoptive and foster care intervention program serving children ages 2-18 from north central Connecticut. The children are at risk of disrupting their foster or adoptive placements or are awaiting placement in a residential treatment facility. FAST provides individual and group respite care, behavioral interventions, and family support for over 60 children, for three months at a time. The youth attend after school activities several days per week which focus on social interaction, peer support, anger management, and decision making.

FEE-FOR-SERVICE

Fee-for-Service is Y-US’ newest program, which began in the summer of 2004. It provides customized services as requested by DCF social workers in the Hartford, New Britain and Manchester Area Offices. Services may be short or long term and may be various ages.

JUNIOR YOUTH WORKERS

The Junior Youth Worker is a small employment training and mentoring program for several teenagers (former Y-US program participants) who provide general assistance with the agency’s programs and light housekeeping duties, two afternoons a week each. The youth are paid for their work, provide positive teenage role models for the younger children, and receive staff mentoring in career and financial matters.