An Adolescent Therapeutic Group Home
New Dawn is a small, homelike facility located in a residential neighborhood in the greater Danbury area. Five adolescent girls with primary mental health diagnoses are cared for in a warm, intimate environment, with intensive level staffing to meet their multiple needs. The girls range from ages 13 to 18, and are given the support and assistance to transition to alternate living situations. All girls must be attending school while residing at New Dawn.
MCCA is known in the community as the premier provider of a wide range of services for substance abuse and/or co-occurring disorders. Many of the adolescents in the group home come to us with substance abuse history, are currently abusing, or are at risk for using alcohol and drugs. Our treatment program includes a wide array of services to address their individual needs.
Model
Our model of treatment is based on trauma-sensitive theory, focusing on the strength of the girl’s relationship with the group home professional and line staff. While we recognize the necessity to provide adequate structure to maintain safety within the home, we also believe in a positive, self-esteem building philosophy that maximizes the girls potential for healing through connections to healthy role models.
Programming
Programming at New Dawn consists of a combination of individual therapy sessions with a licensed clinician, as well as various treatment oriented community groups aimed at developing and maintaining coping skills, teaching and enhancing communication skills and helping the residents develop insight into their behavioral problems. Additionally, we provide a wide array of life skills groups, recreational opportunities and recognize the needs of the girls for “free” time to allow for de-escalation and self-reflection.
Referrals
All referrals come directly from the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF). We are committed to assisting the girls coming to our home with as smooth a transition as possible, for their individual benefit as well as for the benefit of the entire home community.
Prior to accepting the girls into our program, we require the DCF worker to provide the New Dawn Program Director with:
- A complete CPT packet
- 603 and confirmed school placement plan
- Complete psychiatric/intervention history
Recent medical assessment, including immunization record and recent PPD results
Staff
The staff is composed of multicultural, multi-disciplinary, professional individuals who work together to create comprehensive individualized goal-oriented programs and treatment plans in a supportive environment.
