About YFS
Southbury-Middlebury Youth & Family Services (locally known as YFS) has served the towns of Southbury and Middlebury since 1984. It was first known as the Community Youth Council and it was housed in the basement of the Sherpardson Community Center in Middlebury. In 1991, with the assistance of the Town of Southbury, the agency relocated to the O'Neill House at 1287 Strongtown Road, Southbury, where it is still located.
YFS's current location just down the hill from Pomperaug High School
The staff consists of 5 administrative members and 5 clinical members. YFS is funded by the Region 15 school district*, state grants and donations from the public. It is one of 99 Youth Service Bureaus (YSBs) in the state of Connecticut.
Last year YFS served 1,871 clients. YFS counselors spent a total of 10,451 clinical hours on issues such as family and school, conflict, anger, mental and physical disorders (youth and parent), depression, trauma, substance abuse (youth and parent), violence in the home, suicidal youth, death of a parent or relative, pregnancy and sibling conflict. Of all these cases, 27% involved children less than 10 years old.
Staff:
- Lisa Hanggi, M.S., Executive Director
- Bunny Colburn, Office Manager
- Sylvia Sheldon, Office Assistant
- Lois Taylor, Development Director
- Nicole Gooden, Insurance Coordinator
Clinical Staff:
- Julie Sowell, Clinical Director, LMFT
- Denise Heimbrock, LCSW
- Melissa Hettenbach, LCSW
- Donald Phelps, MA
- Katie Molinaro, LCSW
*The towns of Middlebury and Southbury comprise Region 15.