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I-TEAM: CT’s Kids in Crisis: Walk-in Urgent Crisis Centers, Med Psych Inpatient Unit coming to Connecticut

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I-TEAM: CT’s Kids in Crisis: Walk-in Urgent Crisis Centers, Med Psych Inpatient Unit coming to Connecticut


(WFSB) – The Channel 3 I-Team continues to examine the crisis surrounding youth mental health here in Connecticut.

Earlier we showed you the work Connecticut still needs to do to help kids find the right resources, instead of ending up in the ER. (Click HERE for that article).

Here are some current programs in the works.

URGENT CRISIS CENTERS:

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Amy Samelna gave the I-Team a tour of what will be 1 of 4 urgent crisis centers coming to the state. These are centers created for kids and teens experiencing a mental health crisis, that don’t need to be in the emergency room.

“Our job at the UCC is to see children anywhere from zero up until 21 who literally can walk into our building and get needs met, regardless of a family’s ability to pay or insurance,” says Samelna, Vice President of Residential Programs at The Village for Families and Children.

One center will be at the Village for Families and Children Campus on Albany Avenue in Hartford.

The Village for Families and Children is a non-profit, with 40 programs and services to help children, adults and families.

The idea is that you won’t leave with just a referral, you’ll leave with a plan and actual services.

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”You have psychiatrists, you have behavioral health nurses, you have licensed clinicians, you have family support systems that will all wrap around these families and these kids,” says Samelna.

Samelna says the center should be ready to go by the beginning of July.

At the same time, the Village is also opening what’s called a subacute stabilization program.

”Continued program where kids can stay there upwards of one day to 14 days. Children ranging from age 5 to 21,” says Samelna. “It is a voluntary program where that age range would come here, have an interdisciplinary continued assessment and stabilization and treatment.”

Over at CT Children’s Hospital, they’re currently building a 12 bed med psych inpatient unit set to tentatively open in January 2024.

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The unit, separate from their ER, will care for children with both medical and psychiatric concerns, says Doctor Melissa Santos, division head of pediatric psychology.

“Kids with diabetes that are having problems dealing with their insulin regimen because of their depression, anxiety. Perhaps they’re using their treatments to self injure in some other way. Kids that have other chronic health conditions that we just know that regular inpatient psychiatric facilities can’t appropriately treat,” says Doctor Santos.

President and CEO Jim Shmerling says having this unit will allow them to reduce the time a child spends in the hospital.

”Nowhere in the state is there a place for the children to be seen all in one place. The inpatient psychiatric beds across the state, will only take psychiatric issues, they won’t take children with medical problems so they have to be completely stable until they take the patient. Now we can stabilize that patient and start the mental health intervention much sooner, while they’re in that unit. It will reduce the length of stay by two or three weeks,” says Shmerling.

Shmerling, Doctor Santos and Samelna say the work has only just begun.

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”We have to be able to listen to our kids and listen to the stressors they are going through; they are going through stress and it’s real. And it has detrimental consequences if we don’t pay attention to them,” says Salmena.

WHERE ARE THE OTHER URGENT CRISIS CENTERS?

Yale New Haven is currently operational as their program is an enhancement of their current emergency department.

Wellmore in Waterbury starts their Urgent Crisis Center later this month.

Child and Family of Southeast Connecticut in New London expects to open their urgent crisis center next month.

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STATE FUNDING:

Last May, the state legislature set aside $300 million for children’s behavioral health services.

According to state records, at least $25 million has been set aside for the urgent crisis centers/sub-acute crisis stabilization programs. Right now, the funds are coming from the American Rescue Plan, available through the end of the year, which puts the future of the programs in question.

Lawmakers would have to fund the continuation in this budget cycle, they are currently working on that.

CT Children’s new unit is expected to cost 13 million dollars, which was approved last year by the legislature.

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The Hospital has to spend the money first and submit for reimbursement from the state.

CONTINUING COVERAGE:

Everyone the I-Team spoke too, says the problem is much larger than just this report.

There are issues with staff shortages, waitlists, medicaid reimbursements.

The I-Team will continue to cover these topics, speaking with educators, doctors, lawmakers, advocates, parents and kids in the days, weeks and months to come. If you want to reach out to Sam Smink, please do so at sam.smink@wfsb.com.

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Connecticut

Hundreds get flu shot at free clinic in Farmington

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Hundreds get flu shot at free clinic in Farmington


Hundreds of people rolled up their sleeves today to get a free flu shot in Farmington.

For the 7th year, NBC and Telemundo Connecticut teamed up with ProHealth Physicians for a free, drive-thru flu shot clinic. 

The clinic started at 10 this morning, but people started lining up as early as eight in the morning to get their shots.

“I do it for others because I do not want to give anyone else the flu,” said Marguerite Rose of West Hartford as she waited online for her flu shot. “We figured we could zip in and get our flu shot and that’s why we’re here,” she said.

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“Very convenient right around the corner from the house, no hassles,” said Debi Koch of New Britian, who also was waiting online bright and early. “It’s an in-and-out shop,” she said.

ProHealth Physicians had 350 flu vaccines and 100 high dose shots to give out to the community for free and with no insurance needed.

“It’s the safest way to keep yourself safe for the winter,” said Dr. Stephen Traub, CEO of ProHealth Physicians.

The CDC says the flu can spread year-round, but its spreading spikes from December through February.

That’s why experts recommend now is the time to get your shot. 

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“The flu shot gets updated every year based on predictions of what strains of influenza are going to be,” said Traub.

The shots can cause minor aches and other symptoms, but doctors say that’s just the vaccine building your immunity. They say the flu shot will not give you flu, and any minor side effects from the vaccine are better than the actual virus. 

“It’s about 7 days probably of misery fevers aches and chills and missed work if you don’t have the flu shot,” said Dr. Joy Hong of ProHealth Physicians.

People over the age of 65 or those who have preexisting conditions are especially encouraged to get the shot too.

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Police shoot man who allegedly stabbed Bridgeport officer

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Police shoot man who allegedly stabbed Bridgeport officer


Police shot a man brandishing a knife in Bridgeport early Saturday morning.

Officers responded to the 100 block of Terry Place for a report of an emotionally disturbed person, according to police.

When they arrived, they found a man with a knife. Police shot the man, who was then rushed to the hospital, where he is listed in critical condition.

It is not clear how many officers were involved or how many fired their weapons.

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Police have identified the man as 45-year-old Huntly Jackson, of Bridgeport.

According to police, Jackson is under arrest, charged with criminal attempted murder, first-degree assault, assault on a public safety officer, second-degree threatening, interfering/resisting arrest, and carrying a dangerous weapon.

Bridgeport police also said one of the responding officers was stabbed in the shoulder, neck and head by the suspect. The officer was taken to the hospital for treatment but has since been released.

The Office of the Inspector General is investigating the shooting along with the State Police Western District Major Crimes Squad.

The officer or officers involved in the incident have been placed on modified duty, according to police.

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WNBA playoffs: Resurgent Las Vegas rout New York to keep title defense alive

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WNBA playoffs: Resurgent Las Vegas rout New York to keep title defense alive


Jackie Young scored 24 points and the Las Vegas Aces took control with a 16-point third-quarter run Friday night to stave off elimination with a 95-81 win over the New York Liberty in Game 3 of the WNBA semi-finals.

The Liberty, who lead the series 2-1, will get another shot at closing out the two-time defending champion Aces on Sunday. If Las Vegas wins that, a winner-take-all Game 5 will be Tuesday in New York.

This was the Aces’ 12th consecutive home playoff victory, breaking the WNBA record shared by the Los Angeles Sparks (2001-04) and Sacramento Monarchs (2003-06).

Las Vegas finally beat the Liberty for the first this time year. New York won all three regular-season meetings and the first two games of this series.

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In addition, Kelsey Plum scored 20 points, A’ja Wilson had 19 points and 14 rebounds, Tiffany Hayes finished with 11 points and Chelsea Gray totaled 10 points and seven assists. The Aces shot 52.1%, including 40.6% from the three-point line.

Breanna Stewart led the Liberty with 19 points, Jonquel Jones and Nyara Sabally each scored 11 points and Leonie Fiebich had 10 points.

Sabrina Ionescu, who entered the game averaging 24.5 points in the playoffs, was held to four points on 1-of-7 shooting. She was shut out until a minute into the fourth quarter when she made a technical free throw.

A back-and-forth first half quickly became one-sided in the third quarter when the Aces turned a 57-53 lead into a 73-53 advantage. New York went 7:36 between field goals and scored just six points in the period. Liberty coach Sandy Brondello called two timeouts to try to stop the Aces’ momentum.

Las Vegas extended its lead to 78-55 early in the fourth quarter to cap a 21-2 run.

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The game looked like it could go either way when the second half began. Both teams went back and forth in the first 30 minutes, which featured 18 lead changes and eight ties.

The Aces played without Kiah Stokes, who suffered a concussion toward the end of Game 3.

Dallas Mavericks star Luka Dončić sat courtside next to teammate Dereck Lively II, coach Jason Kidd and general manager Nico Harrison. The Mavericks’ training camp was in Las Vegas this week. Hall of Famer Sheryl Swoopes and Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, one of the Heisman Trophy front runners, also were in attendance.

Minnesota Lynx 90-81 Connecticut Sun

After struggling in the last game offensively, Napheesa Collier wasn’t going to let it happen again.

The Lynx’s star scored 26 points and Minnesota beat the Connecticut Sun 90-81 on Friday night to take a 2-1 advantage in their best-of-five semi-final matchup.

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“Everyone has an off night and I try to contribute in other ways to help the team,” said Collier, who had only nine points on 3-of-14 shooting in Game 2.

She has put in the work all season on both ends of the court and the league’s runner-up for MVP had the confidence to know the poor shooting game was a one-off.

With Connecticut making a run late, Collier also made three straight plays to change the momentum and seal the win.

Minnesota led 81-73 with 3:03 left when she scored, then got a deflection on the other end and capped it off by hitting Alanna Smith for a three-pointer to make it a 13-point game.

“It’s crunch time, I knew I had to be aggressive especially in one-on-one coverage,” Collier said. “Then, you know, just being the same on the other side, we really had to be aggressive. They were playing with desperation at the end.”

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Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier, left, scored 26 points in Friday’s win over the Connecticut Sun in Game 3 of the WNBA semi-finals. Photograph: Jessica Hill/AP

Game 4 is Sunday in Connecticut with the Lynx looking to advance to the WNBA finals for the first time since 2017. That season ended in the fourth of Minnesota’s championships during a seven-year stretch. Game 5 would be in Minnesota on Tuesday night if necessary.

Collier had 16 in the first half on Friday night and was aggressive from the start. Minnesota led by seven after one quarter and 48-36 at the half thanks to Collier, who made seven of her 10 shots in the opening 20 minutes.

The Sun tried to rally, cutting the deficit to seven on a three-point play by Marina Mabrey midway through the third quarter. But that’s as close as they got.

“Tough one for us. They do what they wanted to do on the offensive end of the floor,” Connecticut coach Stephanie White said. “We didn’t do a good enough job getting us prepared to play today. We got outplayed, outexecuted and outcoached.”

Brionna Jones, who had just eight points combined in the first two games, led Connecticut with 21.

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DeWanna Bonner scored 16 for the Sun to move into second place on the WNBA career postseason scoring list in the third quarter. She passed Candace Parker, who had 1,149 during her illustrious career. Bonner now has 1,159 points, moving ahead of Parker by hitting a free throw with 1:36 left in the quarter. Phoenix’s Diana Taurasi is the leader with 1,455.

All five of the Sun starters scored in double figures, but they got little contribution from the bench. The Sun reserves were outscored 16-4 by their Minnesota counterparts.

The first two games featured a chippiness between the teams, who pride themselves on playing physical defense. They were the two best defensive teams in the regular season – the Sun allowed an average of 73.6 points per game, the Lynx 75.6.

There had been hard fouls on both sides in the two games in Minnesota. There wasn’t much of that at all in Game 3.

“I just thought it was across the board a slugfest,” Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve said of the first two games. “And I’m quite sure they felt the same.”

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There’s also been a lot of trash talk on the court especially between Courtney Williams and Mabrey. The pair were teammates in Chicago last year and say that it’s just on-court fun and there’s no bad blood between them.



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