KIDS COUNT Data Center

The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s KIDS COUNT® is a premier source of data on children, youth and families in the United States. Find a wide range of statistics and indicators…

Jordan Porco Foundation-Hartford, CT

The Jordan Porco Foundation is committed to preventing suicide in the high school, college, and college entry student population. Through awareness, education, and innovative programming, JPF is challenging stigma around mental…

Family Educational Materials-SAMHSA

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers  facts sheets on anxiety disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, depression, first episode psychosis, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). SAMHSA developed…

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Since its inception,…

Prevent Suicide Connecticut

Since January 2012, the CT Suicide Advisory Board (CTSAB) has functioned as the single state-level suicide advisory board in CT that addresses suicide prevention and response across the lifespan. It…

The Cerebral Palsy Group

Cerebral Palsy Group is a national organization that was created so that it may serve the individuals and families who have been diagnosed with cerebral palsy. They are here to…

The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds

The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds at Massachusetts General Hospital is a web-based resource that educates parents and other caregivers about the psychological development and emotional well-being of children, adolescents,…

National Autism Awareness Month Resources

April is National Autism Awareness Month! Click the links below to read about the information and resources kidsmentalhealthinfo.com provides on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).   Autism Services & Resources Connecticut,…

CDC Autism Spectrum Disorder

The CDC has general facts about Autism, information about screening and diagnosis, as well as treatments and resources for families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). They provide up-to-date research…

Cerebral Palsy Guidance

This website provides excellent information about Cerebral Palsy including an overview about the disorder, treatment, therapy options and other helpful information. Please click on the link below to go directly…

Children’s Mental Health Network

The Children’s Mental Health Network provides weekly news and unbiased analysis of key issues focused on children, youth and families’ mental health and well-being. To go directly to this website,…

Cerebral Palsy Guide

This website provides information about cerebral palsy, treatment options, community support groups and resources. Please click on the link below to go directly to the website.

MATCH Connecticut Provider Agencies

MATCH-ADTC (Modular Approach to Therapy for Children with Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, or Conduct Problems) is an evidence-based treatment designed for children ages 7 – 15. Unlike most treatment approaches that…

Court Support Services Division (CSSD)

The Court Support Services Division (CSSD) oversees pretrial services, family services, divorce and domestic violence, probation supervision of adults and juveniles as well as juvenile residential centers including Juvenile Detention.…

CerebralPalsySymptoms.com

The mission at CerebralPalsySymptoms.com is to provide the public with accurate and up to date information on the many aspects of cerebral palsy and other birth injury complications. Their team…

American Youth Policy Forum

Nonprofit, nonpartisan professional development organization based in Washington, DC, provides learning opportunities for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers working on youth and education issues at the national, state, and local levels.…

American Speech Language Hearing Association

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association is the professional, scientific, and credentialing association for 140,000 members and affiliates who are speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists in the United…

Child Welfare League of America

An association of almost 1,000 public and private nonprofit agencies that assist over 2.5 million abused and neglected children and their families each year with a wide range of services.…

Child Trends, Inc.

Child Trends is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization that studies children, youth, and families through research, data collection, and data analysis. To go directly to this website, please click on the…

Children’s Defense Fund (CDF)

CDF, provides a strong, effective voice for all the children of America who cannot vote, lobby, or speak for themselves. CDF pays particular attention to the needs of poor and…

Effective Child Therapy Online Education

ECT Online Education was developed by Division 53 of the American Psychological Association (Society for Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology) in collaboration with the Center for Children and Families at…

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is the leading patient-directed national organization focusing on the most prevalent mental illnesses. The organization fosters an environment of understanding about the impact and…

Healthy People 2020

Healthy People contains 467 objectives, and 22 topics that focus on mental health. Search the objectives by selecting Topic: mental health and mental disorders to identify them. Use HealthFinder to look…

Functional Family Therapy

FFT is an empirically grounded, well-documented and highly successful family intervention for at-risk and juvenile justice involved youth. To go directly to this website, please click on the link below.

Help For Depression

Help for Depression provides a comprehensive explanation of the various approaches and treatments for depression as a critical starting point for individuals and/or their loved ones. To go directly to this…

KidsPeace

Private, not-for-profit charity dedicated to serving the critical behavioral and mental health needs of children, pre-adolescents and teens. Since 1882, KidsPeace has been helping kids develop the confidence and skills…

KidsHealth.org

If you’re looking for information you can trust about kids and teens that’s free of “doctor speak,” you’ve come to the right place. KidsHealth is the most-visited site on the…

Jewish Family Services of Greater Hartford

Jewish Family Services of Greater Hartford is a social service agency helping individuals and families deal with life cycle transitions and adversity. Guided by the highest professional standard in counseling,…

MedlinePlus

Contains a selective list of authoritative health information sources for consumers and health professionals on a wide range of mental health and behavior topics. Offers links to Web sites and…

MayoClinic.com

A research tool from the Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical practice dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of virtually every type of complex illness. To go directly…

Wrightslaw Special Education Help

Parents, educators, advocates, and attorneys come to Wrightslaw for accurate, reliable information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities. Begin your search in the Advocacy…

The Balanced Mind Foundation

Parent-led, not-for-profit, Web-based membership organization of families raising children diagnosed with, or at risk for, pediatric bi-polar disorder. To go directly to this website, please click on the link below.

Tourette’s Syndrome Association

Founded in 1972 in Bayside New York, the national Tourette Syndrome Association is the only national voluntary non-profit membership organization in this field.  Our mission is to identify the cause…

Turningpointct.org

TurningPointCT.org was developed by young people in Connecticut who are in recovery from mental health and substance use issues. Their mission is to empower teens and young adults in their…

Stop Bullying

StopBullying.gov provides information from various government agencies on how kids, teens, parents, educators and others in the community can prevent or stop bullying. If you or someone you know is…

Psych Central

Psych Central is the Internet’s largest and oldest independent mental health and psychology network. Since 1995, it has been run by mental health professionals offering reliable, trusted information and over…

National Institute on Drug Abuse

NIDA’s mission is to lead the Nation in bringing the power of science to bear on drug abuse and addiction. This charge has two critical components.  The first is the…

Autism Society of America

This group promotes lifelong access and opportunities for persons within the autism spectrum and their families, to be fully included, participating members of their communities through advocacy, public awareness, education,…

Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law

Bazelon center’s mission is to protect and advance the rights of adults and children who have mental disabilities. To go directly to this website, please click on the link below.

About Our Kids

The New York University Child Study Center is dedicated to advancing the field of child mental health through evidence-based practice, science and education. To go directly to this website, please…

Administration For Children and Families

A federal agency funding state,local and tribal organizations to provide family assistance (welfare), child support, child care, Head Start, child welfare, and other programs relating to children and families. To…

Data on Children in Poverty

The National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP) collects and analyzes data and publishes a range of reports and tools on child poverty, early childhood mental health, and related issues.…

Substance Abuse in Teens

Facts for Families on Teens: Alcohol and Other Drugs This information is from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. To go directly to this page, please click on…

Schizophrenia

Facts for Families on Schizophrenia This information is from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. To go directly to this page, please click on the link below.

Panic Disorder

Facts for Families on Panic Disorder.This information is from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. To go directly to this page, please click on the link below.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Facts for Families on Oppositional Defiant Disorder. This information is from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. To go directly to this page, please click on the link…

Hair Pulling (Trichotillomania)

Facts for Families on hair pulling or Trichotillomania.This information is from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. To go directly to this page, please click on the link…

Eating Disorders

Facts for Families on eating disorders in teens. This information is from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. To go directly to this page, please click on the…

Depression

Facts for Families on Depression or depressed children.This information is from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. To go directly to this page, please click on the link…

Conduct Disorder

Facts for Families about Conduct Disorder.This information is from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. To go directly to this page, please click on the link below.

Bipolar Disorder

Facts for Families on Bipolar Disorder.This information is from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. To go directly to this page, please click on the link below.

Aspergers Disorder

Facts for Families on Apergers Disorder.This information is from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. To go directly to this page, please click on the link below.

National Institute of Mental Health

Information on specific mental disorders, diagnosis and treatment, “Mental Illness in America”, Consensus Conference proceedings, NIMH long range plans & research reports, information on the DEPRESSION Awareness, Recognition, & Treatment…

HELPGUIDE.org

Helpguide’s mission is to help people understand, prevent, and resolve many of life’s challenges.They empower people with knowledge and hope. Their goal is to give you the information and encouragement…

Child Advocate

Child Advocate is a non-profit organization that serves the needs of children, families and professionals while addressing mental health, medical, educational, legal and legislative issues. To go directly to this…

American Psychological Association

This organization is a scientific and professional organization that represents psychology in the United States. To go directly to this website, please click on the link below.

Rehab.com and Protalk

This website offers information about addiction, rehab intervention and treatment (state specific) and general information about addiction and behavioral health. Please click on the link below.

Bullying-Facts for Families

Bullying is a common experience for many children and adolescents.  Surveys indicate that as many as half of all children are bullied at some time during their school years, and…

Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP)

CPP is an intervention for children aged birth through age 5 who have experienced at least one traumatic and, as a result, are experiencing behavior, attachment, and/or mental health problems,…

Bedwetting or Enuresis

Facts for Families on bedwetting or Enuresis This information is from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. To go directly to this page, please click on the link…

Autism

Facts for Families on Autism. To go directly to this page, please click on the link below.

Separation Anxiety

Facts for Families on separation anxiety or school refusal.This information is from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. To go directly to this page, please click on the…

Teen Suicide

Facts for Families on teen suicide. This information is from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. To go directly to this page, please click on the link below.

Self-Injury In Adolescents

Facts for Families on self-injury in adolescents.This information is from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. To go directly to this page, please click on the link below.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a cognitive-behavioral treatment approach with two key components: a behavioral, problem-solving focus blended with acceptance-based strategies, and an emphasis on dialectical processes. “Dialectical” refers to…

Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP)

CPP is an intervention for children aged birth through age 5 who have experienced at least one traumatic and, as a result, are experiencing behavior, attachment, and/or mental health problems,…

Search Institute

Search Institute® is an independent, nonprofit, nonsectarian organization committed to helping create healthy communities for every young person. Because they believe that “all kids are our kids,” they create books and…

National Association of School Psychologists

The National Association of School Psychologists represents and supports school psychology through leadership to enhance the mental health and educational competence of all children. To go directly to this website,…

The Connecticut State Department of Education

The Connecticut State Department of Education is the administrative arm of the Connecticut State Board of Education. Through leadership, curriculum, research, planning, evaluation, assessment, data analyses and other assistance, the…

Promoting First Relationships

PROMOTING FIRST RELATIONSHIPS is a training program at the Barnard Center for Infant Mental Health and Development at the University of Washington. We are dedicated to promoting children’s social-emotional development…

New York University Child Study Center

The Center was founded in 1997 to improve the treatment of child psychiatric disorders through scientific practice, research, and education, and to eliminate the stigma of being or having a…

Circle of Security International

The Circle of Security is a relationship based early intervention program designed to enhance attachment security between parents and children. Decades of university-based research have confirmed that secure children exhibit…

Strengthening Families Program (SFP)

The Strengthening Families Program (SFP) is a nationally and internationally recognized parenting and family strengthening program for high-risk and regular families. SFP is an evidence-based family skills training program found…

Head Start Locator

The Head Start locator is a searchable directory that provides locations, addresses, and driving directions for Head Start programs, centers, and grantees. To find a Head Start or Early Head…

Birth to Three – Connecticut

This is a Connecticut state program that helps parents and caregivers meet the developmental and health-related needs of their infants and toddlers who have delays or disabilities. To go directly…

Help Me Grow – Connecticut

Help Me Grow is a prevention program of the Connecticut Children’s Trust Fund. This program helps to identify children at risk for developmental or behavioral problems and to connect these…

Minding the Baby

MTB is an intensive home visiting program for first-time young mothers and their families living in New Haven, Connecticut. This program brings together a home visiting team including a pediatric…

Postpartum Support International

Postpartum Support International is dedicated to helping women suffering from perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, including postpartum depression, the most common complication of childbirth. They educate family, friends and healthcare…

Child Development Infoline – Connecticut

Child Development Infoline (CDI) is a specialized unit of United Way of Connecticut. Care Coordinators are available to answer the phone Monday through Friday from 8am-6pm, except on holidays. Messages…

Early Intervention

The National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities website provides a detailed explanation of the “early intervention” system. This site covers the basics of understanding early intervention as well as…

Healthy Eating

This publication from KidsHealth talks about five of the best strategies to improve nutrition and encourage smart eating habits in your children. To go directly to this website, click on…

The ABC’s Of Child Development

Website by PBS, The Whole Child devoted to child development. Children grow and develop at different rates. While their pathways through childhood differ, most pass a set of predictable milestones…

Development Milestones – CDC

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention list of developmental milestones for your child age newborn to 5. To go directly to this website, please click on the link below.

Infant Toddler Temperment Tool

The Infant Toddler Temperament Tool (IT3) was developed for the Center for Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation, an Innovation and Support Project funded by the Office of Head Start. The…

Head Start

A national program that provides comprehensive developmental services to low-income, pre-school children ages three to five and social services for their families.       To go directly to this…

American Academy of Pediatrics

This is an organization dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. To go directly to this website, please click on the link below.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation

This is a private charitable organization dedicated to helping build better futures for disadvantaged children in the United States They publish, The Kid’s Count Data book that ranks states on…

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of persons living with serious mental illness and their families.…

KIDS COUNT Data Online

State by state profiles with different statistics about children. To go directly to this website, please click on the link below.

Zero to Three

A national, nonprofit organization dedicated solely to advancing the healthy development of babies and young children. To go directly to the website, click on the link below.

The State Education Resource Center (SERC)

SERC is a nonprofit agency that serves as a resource for educational research and best practices. SERC provides schools and the community with professional development, information dissemination, training, and technical…

The Connecticut State Department of Education

The Connecticut State Department of Education is the administrative arm of the Connecticut State Board of Education. Through leadership, curriculum, research, planning, evaluation, assessment, data analyses and other assistance, the…

Connecticut Children’s Medical Center

Connecticut Children’s Medical Center is dedicated to improving the physical and emotional health of children through family-centered care, research, education and advocacy. It is located in Hartford, CT.

Keep the Promise Coalition

Keep the Promise Coalition is dedicated to advocating for a comprehensive, community mental health system for adults, children and families in Connecticut. The Children’s Committee of the Keep the Promise…

Center for Children’s Advocacy

Lawyers at the Center for Children’s Advocacy operate on the belief that every child, no matter the circumstances, deserves justice, equity and access. The Center promotes and protects the legal…

CT Parenting website

CTparenting.com is a central hub of useful parenting information brought to you by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families. At this one site, you can find thousands of fully…

CDC Parenting Infants Information

Important parenting information is provided by the CDC for infants and toddlers. On this site you will find information about diseases, safety in the home, development of your infant and toddler…

CDC Essentials of Parenting

Essentials for Parenting Toddlers and Preschoolers is a free, online resource developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  Designed for parents of 2 to 4 year olds,…

Rehab Info – Trusted Rehab Referrals

RehabInfo.net is a comprehensive guide for the entire treatment process – from spotting issues to finding and enrolling into rehabilitation. It’s also an extensive educational resource that includes up to date…

SAMHSA Behavioral Health Treatment Locator

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) an online Mental Health Treatment Services Locator which helps users search more than 8,000 mental health treatment facilities and programs. SAMHSA…

2/1/01

2-1-1 is an integrated system of help via the telephone – a single source for information about community services, referrals to human services, and crisis intervention. It is accessed toll-free…

National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP)

The National Center for Children in Poverty is the national leading public policy center dedicated to promoting the economic security, health, and well-being of America’s low-income families and children. Using research…

Effective Child Therapy

This site was developed to educate the public and professionals about mental health treatments that have the strongest scientific support, and are most likely to work. This site is offered…

Clifford Beers Clinic

The Clifford Beers Clinic is a place where thousands of children and their families turn when they are in crisis or need mental health services. They offer a safe haven where…

Parent Child Interaction Therapy

PCIT is a parent-child treatment program that helps parents of children aged 2-7 years old with behavioral problems (aggression, non-compliance, defiance, and temper tantrums). PCIT focuses on promoting positive parent-child…

Anxiety Disorders Association

The Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) is the leader in advocacy, education, training, and research for anxiety and stress-related disorders. ADAA leads the way, improving the lives of millions…

Child First

Child First, developed by Dr. Darcy Lowell, is an innovative evidence-based model which effectively decreases emotional and behavioral problems, developmental and learning problems, and abuse and neglect among very vulnerable…

Intermittant Explosive Disorder

Intermittent explosive disorder is characterized by repeated episodes of aggressive, violent behavior in which you react grossly out of proportion to the situation. Road rage, domestic abuse, and angry outbursts…

How do I get support for myself?

Parents and caregivers often say that talking to other parents is one of the most useful forms of support. Connecticut has many family advocacy and support centers where trained parents…

Is the medication dangerous?

Medications that have been approved for use for children must go through an intense review by the Federal Drug Association (FDA). All medications have risks and it is important to…

Is the medication expensive?

Medications differ in price and in some cases can be expensive. Most common psychiatric medications are paid for by insurance plans and HUSKY. If your family is getting HUSKY/Medicaid coverage…

What if my child needs medication?

Depending on the type, how serious and how long your child has had the symptoms, your pediatrician or child psychiatrist may prescribe medication for your child. Often, medication is prescribed…

What other treatments are there?

Some parents choose faith-based support, recreational activities, native or local healers, or nutritional plans to help with their child’s mental health concerns. Parents must find out whether these treatments have worked…

Who do I turn to for help?

It is sometimes hard to know whom to turn to when your child has mental health concerns. A good place to start is your child’s doctor or pediatrician. You can…

How is progress measured in the IEP?

The IEP must include a statement of how the child’s progress will be measured. An explanation of how parents will be given information of that progress should be included in…

What is Childhood Trauma?

Trauma occurs when a child experiences an intense event that threatens or causes harm to his or her emotional and physical well-being. Some events are more likely to be traumatic…