The Haven Teen Center, which hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony in Chicopee on November 1, is just what its name implies—a safe place for teens—one that is filled with resources tailored to their growth, creativity, and enjoyment. Among local officials and community members attending the event were Penny Dugan (pictured far right), the outpatient youth services coordinator and clinician at CHD’s Gateway Community Behavioral Health Center (CBHC), and CBHC clinician Dagmara Krotki (left).

Through grant funding, over the past two years our CBHC has been supporting behavioral health and emotional needs of grade- and middle-schoolers at the Chicopee Boys and Girls Club’s main building for several hours a week. Dugan has been providing services for a year, and now Krotki will be taking on that role at the new teen center.

The 4,500 square-foot building, adjacent to the main building, features a study zone, digital media lab, Zen room, club café, gaming den, professional development programs, and an outdoor basketball court.

Dugan has been supporting not only children, but also staff at the Boys and Girls Club. “Sometimes I work one-on-one with a member who is struggling with their emotions or choices, or provide coaching and insight to staff members around especially challenging behavioral or emotional issues children are experiencing,” she said.

Boys and Girls Club children, staff, and family members also benefit from a streamlined referral avenue, as Dugan facilitates access to therapy without waitlists, and quick referrals to psychiatry, In-Home Therapy, Therapeutic Mentoring, and other CHD services.

“Because transportation and work hours present a barrier to treatment for many families, I have also been coming to the Boys and Girls Club outside of contracted time to provide individual therapy—covered by health insurance— to children during their after-school time at the club,” she said. This has greatly increased connections to clinical services for them, and several families have already begun accessing services onsite at Boys and Girls Club.

Dugan said every she visits the club, several children will approach her and immediately “check in” by sharing how they are feeling that day, and many of them have increased their ability to “talk it out” with those around them and make positive choices in times of emotional dysregulation or interpersonal conflict. “Also, members who experience adversity at home or school actively seek my support during my club hours,” said Dugan.

Krotki said the innovative arrangement fills a resource gap. “A lot of kids and young adults don’t access the services they need outside of school or in the community,” she said. “This is a great way to support their mental health.”

The program, unique in the community, has the potential to be replicated with other childcare agencies in the Pioneer Valley, said Dugan. “I think it can be used as an effective model,” she added.