Winchester Youth Service Bureau

 

With goals to assist young people and their families through difficult life experiences; to help improve the quality of life of our constituents; to facilitate families in conflict resolution; to assist families involved in the juvenile justice system; to increase awareness of substance abuse to young people; to keep children safe and to enhance our communities, the Winchester Youth Service Bureau provides services to the youth of Barkhamsted, Colebrook, Hartland, New Hartford, Norfolk and Winsted.

Hours: Monday-Friday: 9 am-5 pm

Services

One-on-one Support & Case Management

Free, one-on-one support and advocacy for children and their families in our service area towns of Winsted, Barkhamsted, New Hartford, Colebrook, Hartland and Norfolk. Parenting, behavioral management, social and coping skills, drug, alcohol and violence prevention education.

One-on-one Support Services Include:
  • Information and referral
  • Individual, small group, and family services
  • Specialty groups based upon needs (i.e., parenting)
  • Specialized Juvenile Justice program
  • All services are confidential

Therapeutic Recreation Programs

These are small, age appropriate groups that incorporate cooperative activities which are designed to address a variety of issues facing youth today. Activities are focused on promoting self-awareness, building positive peer relationships, and developing conflict resolution skills. School aged children can benefit from sharing personal experiences in a non-judgmental, structured group setting. WYSB staff collaborates with school personnel and parents to ensure that the group activities meet the needs of the individual participants. Groups are available for youth (grades 1-12) both in and after-school.

 

Rising Star Camp

Rising Star Camp is a therapeutic day camp especially designed to promote self-esteem, conflict resolution skills, positive interactions and success in its participants. Rising Star Camp is a unique program that accommodates children who may not have had the opportunity to attend day camp. This program is also designed to support children who have struggled with the traditional day camp experience. Rising Star Camp utilizes a reward system in which camp participants earn stickers with good choices/positive participation in camp activities; participants who have earned at least 20 stickers throughout the week are able to attend the weekly field trip on Friday. This camp program operates Monday–Friday and is open to youth ages 6 to 14 years old.

 

WYSB is involved in “Change the Script” – a statewide public awareness campaign to help communities deal with the prescription drug and opioids misuse crisis. Click the image to learn more.

 

Additional Services Available

Community Awareness
Workshops, radio and cable shows, discussion groups on youth issues

Child Advocates
School, court, community

Juvenile Review Board (JRB)
A court diversion program for juvenile first time offenders.

“Stewards of Children”
Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Training

Drug and Alcohol Education Groups

Court Advocacy for Juveniles

Crisis Intervention

Discussion Groups for All Ages