CONNECTICUT JUNIOR REPUBLIC
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Mission Statement
The mission of the Connecticut Junior Republic (CJR) is to provide care, treatment, education and family support for at-risk, special needs and troubled young people so they can become productive and fulfilled members of their communities.
About This Cause
The Connecticut Junior Republic was established in 1904 through the bequest of Litchfield, Connecticut resident Mary T. Buel. Miss Buel left her farmhouse, more than 150 acres of land and $5,000 at the turn of the 20th century to establish a home for at-risk and troubled boys. Over the years, the organization evolved to serve boys and girls and to become more family-focused. Today, the Connecticut Junior Republic now serves approximately 1,500 children, youth and families annually. The organization's continuum of care helps boys and girls in locations across Connecticut and includes prevention and early intervention programs, substance abuse treatment, specialized opioid abuse treatment, behavioral and mental health services, home-based and residential services, and a broad spectrum of highly individualized special, vocational, regular and alternative education programs. Behavioral health services are provided in a growing number of schools by special arrangement. A private, nonprofit organization, CJR is supported by fees earned for services, and by gifts, grants, legacies and event proceeds from individuals, businesses, organizations and foundations. The Connecticut Junior Republic's continuum of care is designed to help young people overcome behavioral and educational deficiencies so they may become productive and contributing members of their homes, schools and communities, and reach their full potential. Young people served by the Connecticut Junior Republic’s programs range from 2 to 19 years of age, and many are involved with either the Juvenile Justice System through the Judicial Branch Court Support Services Division (JBCSSD) or referred by the Department of Children and Families (DCF). The Junior Republic also serves at-risk young people through evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention programs funded by the Department of Social Services (DSS), and conducted in a number of public schools. Youth may be referred to CJR after being identified as at-risk by schools, parents, or referral sources; after they have committed status offenses, such as truancy, running away from home or demonstrating at-risk behavior beyond control of the parents or school system; for substance abuse issues; for intensive home-based services or residential services; for special, alternative or vocational education programs; or for behavioral and mental health services. CJR currently operates three residential programs for boys, ages 14 to 18, on its Litchfield Campus. Each program serves eight boys; depending upon the treatment model, each program includes one to four months of residential treatment, followed by three to six month of intensive, home-based therapy for boys and their families in the community. All three programs involve the family from the beginning of treatment and include intensive follow-up care and support services in the community after discharge. CJR also operates a Therapeutic Group Home for boys in Winchester, which provides longer term care for boys with more complex mental health needs. Its REGIONS (Re-Entry, Goal-oriented, Individualized, Opportunities to Nurture Success) Program in Waterbury provides residential services for a maximum of eight boys, ages 14 to 18, for up to six months, depending on individual needs. An additional four months of aftercare ensures continued support following discharge from the program. CJR has provided education for youth since 1904, and now operates two state approved, private, special education schools that are accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). The school for boys, ages 9 to 21, is located on CJR's Litchfield Campus and its school for girls is located in Bristol. The Cable Academic and Vocational Education Center (CAVEC) in Litchfield serves the 24 boys who are enrolled in CJR’s campus residential programs, as well as up to 50 young men who come from throughout the region and attend school on a daily basis. Enhancement, transition and related services are also provided for students. The school in Bristol enrolls adolescent girls referred from public schools in central and western Connecticut. A majority of the boys and girls served by CJR’s Cable Academic and Vocational Education Center (CAVEC) have a history of challenging behavior in the public education setting and may also have been diagnosed with specific learning and emotional disabilities and other conditions, such as ADHD. A significant percentage of students – approximately 10 to 20% of the boys enrolled in CJR's Litchfield CAVEC - have Autism Spectrum Disorder. More than 500 girls and boys are served annually by CJR’s community-based programs located in Danbury, East Hartford, Meriden, New Britain, New London, Torrington and Waterbury. These programs provide a broad spectrum of services ranging from teen pregnancy prevention, individual and group treatment, family, vocational and educational support, summer work-based learning experiences, substance abuse treatment and intensive, home-based therapy designed as an alternative to residential treatment. Based on CJR’s Litchfield campus in the Michael P. Mortara Family Center, and licensed by DCF and the Department of Public Health, the Wellness Center Program provides behavioral and mental health services for children, youth and families. Since it was opened in 2015, the Wellness Center has expanded to many of the Junior Republic’s community locations to accommodate the high demand for services. CJR also provides services by special arrangement at several schools in northwestern Connecticut. Behavioral and mental health services may be provided as an early intervention or as supplemental and/or follow-up care for children and families referred by CJR programs. Schools and other organizations in the community may make referrals to CJR’s Wellness Center and individuals and families may self-refer for help as well. Last year, the Wellness Center served nearly 650 children, youth and families. Referrals continue to surge, in large part due to the mental health epidemic precipitated by the COVID pandemic. More than 80 percent of the youth served by CJR’s community-based programs represent ethnic and racial minorities. A significant number of these youngsters are from families living at the poverty level or are from households that can be described as the working poor. Nearly half of the students that CJR helps through its community-based programs are girls. CJR programs are accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA), an international, independent, nonprofit, human service accrediting organization. The Cable Academic and Vocational Education Center is separately accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). The Junior Republic’s programs are funded primarily through fees earned for service contracts with JBCSSD, DCF, DSS, and Connecticut’s public schools. Some programs are augmented through third party payment for services and the Junior Republic contributes substantially toward many of its programs on annual basis through funds provided by a growing endowment and by support raised through grants, events, annual contributions and major gifts.