The support groups listed below are for both caregivers and youth. If there isn’t a group located near you, go to your local System of Care Collaborative to talk about starting one!
Circle of Hope
This is a group for parents who have children with behavioral health needs who want to network and receive support.
- Language: English
- When: Every Wednesday from 6:00 PM- 7:00 PM
- Where: 583-585 East Main St, Bridgeport, CT 06608
- Contact: Audra Holmes-Greene 203-999-6063
- Greater Bridgeport Community Resource Collaborative
Advocacy Academy
Helping parents learn skills to appropriately advocate for their families.
- Language: Bilingual
- When: TBD
- Where: Spanish Community of Wallingford
- Contact: Marta Persia, 203-535-4804
- Meriden/Wallingford Collaborative
Inspiration
This is a group that provides support and encourages caregivers who have children and/or youth with behavioral, social, communication, or health challenges. They also empower, inspire and educate families to see beyond the diagnosis and see the possibilities and potential each family unit embodies.
- Language: Spanish
- When: 3rd Tuesday of every month from 5:30-8 p.m.
- Where: Meriden Public Library, 105 Miller Street, Meriden, CT
- Contact: Marta Persia, (203) 535-4804 or Amalia Medina, (203) 600-0937
- Meriden/Wallingford Collaborative
Parent’s Pride
This group provide Parents/Caregivers of children of LGBTQIA youth a safe supportive place to share thoughts, feelings, information about their role as parents/caregivers.
- Language: English
- When: TBD
- Where: Putnam Library, Putnam, CT
- Contact: Lisa Girard
- Tri-Collaborative
Parents Supporting Each Other-Dayville
For parents of children with behavioral health needs. Childcare and refreshments available.
- Language: English
- When: 1st Wednesday of the month 6;30PM-8:00PM unless otherwise planned
- Where: United Services, 1007 N Main St., Dayville, CT 06341
- Contact: Lisa Girard
- Tri-Collaborative
Families Supporting Families
For parents of children with behavioral health needs. Childcare and refreshments available.
- Language: English
- When: 1st & 3rd Thursdays of every month
- Where: Waterford Country School Safe Home
- Contact: Josephine Suarez, 860-857-2232
- Southeastern Mental Health System of Care (SEMHSOC)
Parents Supporting Each Other-Middletown
For parents of children with behavioral health needs. Childcare and refreshments available.
- Language: English
- When: 3rd Wednesday of the month 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Where: Wesleyan University, Boger Hall, Room 111 41 Wyllys St, Middletown, CT 06457
- Contact: Maura Sheil-Hughes-860-305-2660
- Greater Middlesex Community Collaborative
Youth Support Groups
Circle of Hope Youth
This is a group for YOUTH who are siblings to a child with behavioral health needs. Aimed at improving wellness and stress reduction.
- Language: English
- When: Every Saturdays 1:30PM – 2:30PM
- Where: 583-585 East Main St, Bridgeport, CT 06608
- Contact: Audra Holmes-Greene 203-999-6063
- Greater Bridgeport Community Resource Collaborative
Activity Group-NCCC
This group is designed to help children benefit from prosocial activities.
- Language: English
- When: Date and times vary
- Where: Location varies
- Contact: Penny Lemery
- North Central Community Collaborative
Brady’s Brigade
Welcomes all children with special needs with various activities and developing social skills.
- Language: English
- When: 2nd Sunday of the Month @ 2:00 PM
- Where: Montville Youth Services Bureau, Montville Park & Recreation
- Contact: Corine Canoza
- Southeastern Mental Health System of Care (SEMHSOC)
Inspiration Youth
This is a group that provides support and encourages youth with behavioral, social, communication, or health challenges.
- Language: English
- When: TBD
- Where: TBD
- Contact: Christopher Rendon/Marta Persia, (203) 535-4804
- Meriden/Wallingford Collaborative
Empower Hour Girls Program
This group is for young ladies between ages 6-19 years of age. Empowerment group serving at risk youth from Hartford/Bloomfield to help them be successful in school and achieve their goals & dreams.
- Language: English
- When: 1st Saturday of month 12-4, 2nd Saturday of month 11:30-1:00 PM& Every Friday (Milner) 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
- Where: Location Varies
- Contact: Tanya Gordon
- Hartford/West Hartford System of Care
Kindness Kids
This group provides LGBTQIA youth with a safe and supportive place to share thoughts, feelings and information.
- For: 6th-8th grade youth
- Language: English
- When: TBD
- Where: Putnam Library, Putnam, CT
- Contact: Lisa Girard
- Tri-Collaborative
Perfectly Imperfekt
This group is to help youth gain insight into topics such as physical, mental health, self-esteem, trauma etc.
- Language: English
- When: Every Saturday from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Where: City of Hartford 550 Main St, Hartford, CT 06103
- Contact: Taisha Blue 860-869-0987
- Hartford/West Hartford System of Care
Junior Next Steps
A group for children with special needs, bullied will receive peer support and engage in social activities.
- Language: English
- When: Every other Thursday from 3-4:30 p.m.
- Where: JFK Middle School, Southington, CT
- Contact: Desiree Daigle 860-302-6543 and Amber Smith
- Greater Bristol/Farmington Valley Collaborative