Trauma- Trauma- Trauma- Relief………………………

 

For more than 95 years, the Clifford Beers Guidance Clinic has demonstrated expertise in responsiveness to the needs of children and families. Annually, Clifford Beers Clinic serves nearly 2500 children and their families in the Greater New Haven area who are 90% TANF eligible. Clifford Beers Clinic provides a broad range of mental health services for children and families including outpatient treatment, emergency 24-hour crisis intervention, AIDS/HIV affected children and families, advocacy/care coordination services and specialized trauma treatment programs for families facing community violence, sexual abuse, and increased sexual behaviors.

 

As the demand for emergency housing assistance grows in the community where the resources are diminishing, it impacts the treatment of families the Clinic serves. The families are consistently looking for resources to assist them in securing/maintaining housing. The majority of the programs at Clifford Beers do not have funding to assist families that are faced with these difficult financial circumstances. The N2N funding is giving Clifford Beers Clinic the opportunity to address the families housing needs as the family is working on addressing the children and families mental health needs.

 

About five years ago, family X came to the clinic due to a traumatic incident that impacted there 12 year old child’s functioning. This resilient family moved into the area and came to the Clinic hoping that this would help the healing process. As the family began their treatment at Clifford Beers and was on the road to healing, the family endured more traumas. The family was working with the Clifford Beers clinician and case manager on their treatment, when they faced another barrier. One of the parents lost their job. The parent was able to find another but then fell extremely ill to the point of hospitalization for a period of time. The family’s housing became jeopardized. This family of four was now surviving off a single income with an increase in medical bills, on top of facing two traumas that impacted the child’s and family’s functioning.

 

The N2N Funding has allowed Clifford Beers to provide additional support to this family during their financial hardships. As they continue to come to the clinic to address the mental health needs, the Clinic is able to provide a glimmer of financial relief by assisting the family with rent. Their resiliency, determination and bravery along with the community supports will allow this family to once again be on that road of healing.