PTO and Family Resources

Report Suspected Bullying

What is the Anonymous Alerts app?

The Anonymous Alerts anti-bullying and safety app reporting system helps combat bullying and other negative activity in WHPS middle and high schools by empowering students to speak up. Social and peer pressure are some of the hardest obstacles for students to overcome.

The system allows for 1-way or 2-way anonymous encrypted communications between submitters (students, parents or community members) and district administration and/or school staff. Users of the system have the option to remain anonymous or reveal their identity when submitting a report.

How does it work?

To use this revolutionary new app, students, parents or other school personnel can simply visit the West Hartford Public Schools website and click on the “Anonymous Alerts” button or text link to submit a report expressing their concern. Anonymous Alerts® mobile applications can be downloaded directly from the Apple, Google Play or the Chrome stores.

West Hartford Public Schools supplies students an activation code, making the app remarkably easy to use and students select which school the message should go to. In addition, informational posters explaining how to use the app will be displayed throughout schools and offices in the district.

Send Reports from the Web

To send a report from your phone:

Download the Anonymous Alerts® app for free from the Apple Store, Google Play store, or the Chrome store
Start the App, enter activation code: westhartfordps
Send important reports to school officials
Add a screenshot, photo or video about the incident

In an emergency, always call 9-1-1!

Community of Concern

West Hartford Community of Concern is an organization that was founded to work with parents to help keep our youth alcohol and drug free. We have expanded our programs to include mental health issues, social issues, avoidance or risky behaviors, while continuing education on substance abuse prevention. COC is a collection of parents and community members who share an interest in helping youth to live a healthy lifestyle and make good decisions. We work primarily with parents with the goal of helping them help their children lead healthier, happier lives. We look to collaborate with other organizations in the support of this goal. If you have a topic you feel is important or would like to work with us, please get in touch.

Listen: "Moms' Voices: Celebration Diversity & Empowerment." On Thursday, February 20, Conard High School hosted a panel of six Conard and Hall moms from diverse backgrounds who shared their life experience. The program aimed to understand and embrace our diverse school community and to provide girls and boy with encouragement through the moms' shared stories. Click here to listen to an audio recording of the panel discussion, which was moderated by Dr. Nancy DePalma.

For information & questions: conardpto@gmail.com For more information, add your name to our email list or to make a donation, contact Conard High School, 860 231-5000, conardpto@gmail.com

West Hartford Cares Card

The West Hartford Substance Abuse Prevention Commission has created emergency contact cards with information students (and parents) can use to find crisis services, counseling, help with substance abuse and other issues. Cards will be distributed to all West Hartford high school students, and a copy can also be found at www.westhartfordct.gov/whcares and www.westhartford.org/whcares

Studies indicate that the likelihood of a young person using alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs decreases the more that child believes usage would upset his or her parents. The mission of the Community of Concern is to educate parents and build partnerships to keep youth alcohol, tobacco and other drug-free.

Parents in partnership with each other, their children and their schools form a strong alliance enabling all of us to coordinate our efforts to protect our children. Parents, schools and other organizations are then able to play a critical and essential role in a comprehensive, community-based prevention effort whose goal is to keep children healthy and safe. - (from Community of Concern Website)

Community Resources

Al-Anon/Alateen Family Groups

CT office of the national self-help organization offers information, 12 step recovery programs and mutual support to adult and adolescent family members and friends of alcoholics. Call for listing or local meetings, times and dates.
State Information Office (888) 825-2666
P.O. Box 9441
Bristol, CT 06011

Alcoholics Anonymous

Offers 12 step support groups for people who are recovering from alcohol addiction. Call for listing of local meetings, time and dates.
Hartford, CT (800) 530-9511
(860) 282-9524 Or Infoline at 211

Asian Family Services (Community Renewal Team)

AFS offers mental health and other social services to individuals and families in the preferred language of the client (Cantonese, Cambodian, Japanese, Laotian and Vietnamese). Current services include individual, family and group counseling, citizenship classes and English as a second language classes.
1921 Park Street (860) 951-8770
Hartford, CT 06106 Contact: Sou T.

The Bridge– Youth and Family Services

Offers comprehensive services for children, youth and families
1022 Farmington Avenue (860) 521-8035
West Hartford, CT 06107 FAX: (860) 521-8036

Counseling Services: Individual, family and group counseling. Sliding fee scale; Spanish-speaking therapist available

Parenting Program: Parent Consultation Center, support groups, workshops

Positive Youth Development Programs: Bugbee Ropes Course, West Hartford Teen Center, a variety of groups, adventure-based counseling.

Youth Job Corp: Matches youth with residents who need work done.

The Bridge - Youth Shelter

Offers temporary shelter, providing a safe, caring and nurturing environment for 11 to 17 year old adolescents in crisis.
1019 Farmington Ave (860) 521-6890
West Hartford, CT 06107 FAX (860) 521-6892

Casey Family Services

Provides counseling, information, legal advice and other services to foster and adoptive parents.
43 Woodland Street (860) 727-1030
Hartford, CT 06105

Catholic Family Services

Offers a variety of counseling services on a sliding scale or at no cost
896 Asylum Avenue (860) 522-8241
Hartford, CT 06105 Executive Director: Rose Alma

Individual and Family Counseling: Individual, marital, parent/child, family, and group therapy are provided. Specialized services are provided to African American and Latino families, the elderly, ex-offenders, and family violence victims and abusers. Also offers counseling and support for grandparents and has a special program for Southeast Asians.

Sexuality Counseling: Runs group counseling for adult sexual offenders, with priority given to child molesters and incest offenders.

Crime and Delinquency Prevention: Outreach to Hartford youth between the ages of 8 and 18 in order to prevent and reduce juvenile delinquency.

Mental Health Information and Education: Education and consultation to Latino families and providers of mental health care services.

Psychiatric Care-Outpatient: Psychiatric assessment and monitoring of medication.

Commission of the Deaf and Hearing-Impaired (CDHI)

Serves persons with hearing disabilities from the slightly hearing impaired to the profoundly deaf. Also offers interpretive and counseling services.
67 Prospect Ave. 3^rd Floor (800) 708-6796 TTY/Voice
PO Box 330730 (860) 231-8169 TTY only
West Hartford, CT 06133 (860) 231-8756 TTY/Voice
FAX (860) 231-8746

Connecticut Association for Children with Learning Disabilities (CACLD)

A non-profit organization dedicated to children and adults with learning disabilities and attention deficit disorders. Provides education, support, information and referral about issues related to children and adults with learning disabilities and attention deficit disorders.
25 Van Zant Street, Suite 15-5 (203) 838-5010
East Norwalk, CT 06855-1719 FAX: (203) 866-6108

The Cove

A non-profit group that is free to participating families. Runs support program for grieving children and their families. Semi-monthly, Sunday evening meetings from September to June.
854 Farmington Ave. (860) 233-1700
West Hartford, CT 06119 Director: Valerie B. Cordiano

Emergency Mobile Psychiatric Services (EMPS)

Emergency Mobile Psychiatric Services (EMPS) is a state-wide, child-centered, family-focused program funded by a grant from the Connecticut Department of Children and Families. EMPS offers on-site emergency psychiatric intervention for children and adolescents.(The Institute of Living – Hartford Hospital’s Mental Health Network)
400 Washington Street Dial 211
Hartford, CT 06106

Hope Works

Hope Works specialized in youth and family counseling with an emphasis on teen issues, including drug and alcohol concerns. There is no fee for services but clients are encouraged to donate.
90 North Main Street (860) 561-1175
West Hartford, CT 06107 Executive Director: Cruger Phillips

Human Services

Human Services provides programs and services to enhance community life. The department offers assistance through Social Services and Volunteer Services. Programs offered to West Hartford residents include case management, crisis intervention and counseling.
28 South Main Street (860) 561-7561
West Hartford, CT 06107

HUSKY (Healthcare for Uninsured Kids and Youth)

The HUSKY Plan is Connecticut’s (low-cost) health insurance program for children. HUSKY Plan offers a comprehensive health package for youngsters up to age 19. Benefits include preventative care, prescriptions, vision and dental care, and more. In addition, HUSKY Plus offers services for children with special physical or behavioral health needs.
(877) 284-8759 Toll Free
(800) 842-4524 TDD/TYY
www.huskyhealth.comInfoline 211 – Toll Free
c/o/United Way of CT (800) 203-1234 – Toll Free
1344 Silas Deane Hwy. (860) 522-4636 – Voice/TDD
Rocky Hill, CT 06067 (860) 545-7068 FAX

Link: Programs that Help People in Connecticut
http://www.211ct.org/referweb/
Provides information on health and human services in Connecticut, referrals to community resources and crisis intervention. Free, confidential, twenty-four hour service is available statewide.

Institute of Living

The Institute of Living is Hartford Hospital’s mental health and substance abuse treatment facility. It also specializes in counseling for individuals with eating disorders and their families along with specialty services for children, adolescents, young adults and adults.
200 Washington Street (800) 673-2411 – Toll Free
Hartford, CT 06106 (860) 545-7000 – Main Number
(860) 545-7200 – Assessment Center
(860) 545-7068 – FAX

Jewish Family Service of Greater Hartford

Family service agency provides child, adolescent and adult psychotherapy, family counseling, adoption services, foster care services, older adult services, a Homemaker Referral Program and resettlement assistance for refugees from the former Soviet Union.
740 North Main Street (860) 236-1927
West Hartford, CT 06117

Village for Families and Children, Inc.

The Village offers a continuum of Child Welfare and Mental Health services to children and families in the Hartford Metropolitan Area to meet each child’s permanency needs and to ensure an optimal quality of life. The Village emphasizes culturally competent multi-system approaches to meet the unique needs of each child and family. In addition, The Village seeks to enhance and develop families’ community network to maintain and strengthen treatment gains.
1680 Albany Ave. (860) 236-4511
Hartford, CT 06105

West Hartford Continuing and Community Education

Offers many different types of programs for continuing education. Offers classes in English as a second language.
28 South Main Street (860) 561-6900
West Hartford, CT 06107

Wheeler Clinic

The clinic provides individual, family and group therapy for all children in CT. The help line provides 24-hour phone counseling to suicidal clients. It also offers an alternative education setting and various extended after school day programs.
91 Northwest Dr. (800) 793-3588 – Access Center
Plainville, CT 06062 (860) 747-3434 –24 hr. help line