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PARK | What We Do
The PARK Project is a school-based system of care funded by the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The PARK Project strives to build a system that cares by our work in several areas, including:
Community KidCare
The PARK Project builds on Connecticut Community KidCare which is a statewide network of community based systems of care. In a System of Care, professionals from mental health, education, child welfare, juvenile justice and other agencies work together to ensure those children with mental, emotional, and behavioral challenges and their families have access to the services and supports they need to succeed. A true system of care is about partnership that provides total care for children and adolescents with serious behavioral and emotional challenges.
Community Resource Collaborative
The PARK Project works with Bridgeport’s system of care, known as the Community Resource Collaborative or CRC. The CRC is a group of people in the behavioral and mental health professions who meet regularly with other local care providers such as parents, churches and recreational providers to make sure that families get the right support and help they need to find behavioral and mental health services. The PARK Project provides school staff in the targeted schools with training in Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and the Wraparound philosophy. Wraparound is a process and a philosophy for creating a unique plan for each child and family, that is designed to meet a set of goals reflecting the voices and choices of the children and family.
Family Organization
The PARK Project is creating a Federation of Families chapter in Bridgeport to ensure that family voices and choices will be at the center of the System of Care. Family members will receive training and support in the Wraparound process and its philosophy so that they can become better advocates for their children.
Youth Leadership
The PARK Project is developing a youth leadership movement where young peoples’ voices and choices will be heard.
Social Marketing
The PARK Project has developed a Social Marketing Plan to promote the message that there should be “no shame in mental illness.” We invite the community to join us in caring for the behavioral and mental health needs of children and families at home, school, work, and community. The Project’s communications outreach efforts will target the stigma that surrounds children with serious emotional disturbances and lets people know that mental health is as important as physical health.
Project Evaluation
The PARK Project is being evaluated every day. We get information on how well we are doing from parents, school staff, and service providers. We use this information to improve the system of care in Bridgeport and to better help children with serious emotional and behavioral health challenges.
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