Connecticut State Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services

DMHAS Deaf/Deaf-Blind/Hard of Hearing Program and Services (DHOH)

Marlene Jacques, RN, MSN, MPH, LMSW, Director
860-418-6974 (Voice)
860.418.6780 (Fax)
Marlene.jacques@ct.gov

Organizational Structure:  The DMHAS Deaf/Deaf-Blind/Hard of Hearing (DHOH) Program/Services is located under the Office of Multicultural Health Equity (OMHE).

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Text-to-911 is now availabe in Connecticut. Screenshot of video.
 
Emergency Services - Text-to-911 now available
 
Text to 911 Image
In August of 2018, Connecticut launched the Statewide Text-to-911 capability as part of the state’s next generation 9-1-1.

Text-to-911 is now available in Connecticut. Individuals who are Deaf/Deaf-Blind/Hard of Hearing or have a speech disability and are in need of emergency services may now text their emergency situations to 9-1-1.

For more information on Text-to-911 go to https://www.text011ct.org/.

Mental Health Hotline for Individuals who are Deaf/Deaf-Blind/Hard of Hearing

There is a HOTLINE for Deaf/Deaf-Blind/Hard of Hearing individuals who need mental health assistance by using text:

  • Text the word "Deaf" to 741-741
  • Wait for a response.
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DHOH Mission:  The mission of DMHAS/OMHE DHOH services is to ensure effective communication and equity in services. All persons who are Deaf, Deaf-Blind, or Hard of Hearing in DMHAS services will have equal access to culturally and linguistically affirmative mental health and substance use services.

Woman speaking with clinician through an ASL interpreter

“Culturally and linguistically affirmative mental health services” means the provision of the full continuum of mental health services to Deaf or Hard of Hearing individual through appropriately licensed mental health professionals fluent in the primary communication mode, style, and language as well as the cultural needs of the individual requiring such services.

Legal Requirements:  “People who are Deaf, Deaf-Blind, or Hard of Hearing are entitled to effective communication with state and local government agencies. Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. ŠŠ12131-12134, forbids discrimination by any public entity.”

“Under the ADA, local and state agencies are required to give equal access and equally effective services to people with disabilities. 28 C.F.R. 35.130. They may not deny people an opportunity to participate in their programs, or give them an opportunity that is less effective than the opportunity given to others.”

Accessing Services:  DMHAS Deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHOH) Services are available through all DMHAS Regional state-operated facilities. Each DMHAS state-operated facility has designated a contact person who is trained and educated on addressing the communication needs of persons who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

DMHAS offers Deaf or Hard of Hearing Services to clients/patients/companions/visitors of DMHAS state-operated facilities and programs to provide equal access to recovery-oriented, person-centered, culturally appropriate and linguistically accessible mental health and substance use services through an interpreter to people who are Deaf, Deaf-Blind, or Hard of Hearing at no cost.

Recovery Initiatives:  DMHAS offers vocational/employment services through a staff employment systems manager to assist individuals who are Deaf, Deaf-Blind, or Hard of hearing in finding employment. 

Click to this link to verify DHOH Interpreter’s Credentials: http://ct.gov/dors/  

LOCATION & CONTACT INFORMATION FOR DMHAS DHOH PROGRAMS & SERVICES

Office of the Commissioner

Contact Person:  Marlene Jacques, RN, MSN, MPH, LMSW, Director, Marlene.jacques@ct.gov,  860-418-6974

DMHAS State-Operated Facilities DHOH Programs & Services

Vocational Rehabilitation Services:  Employment System Manager charged with assisting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing in finding employment. Individual may contact:

Ellen Econs, MHSA, LCSW
Employment Systems Manager
Office of the Commissioner
410 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 06134
Mobile:  860-308-4523

REGION 1

Greater Bridgeport Community Mental Health Center (GBCMHC)
1635 Central Avenue
Bridgeport, CT  06610
203.551.7400 (voice)
886-416-6097 (videophone)
203.551.7690 (Fax) 

DHOH Team/ Services:

  • Deaf Clinician = 1
  • Staff Interpreter = 1

F.S. DuBois Center
1351 Washington Boulevard
5th Floor
Stamford, CT  06901
203.388.1600 (Voice) 

DHOH Team/ Services:

  • Deaf Clinician = 1
  • Staff Interpreter = 1

REGION 2

Connecticut Mental Health Center (CMHC)
34 Park Street, New Haven, CT
203-974-7328 (voice)
203-361-3370 (videophone)
203-974-7322 (fax) 
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm

DHOH Team/ Services:

  • DHOH Clinician = 1
  • Staff Interpreter = 1

Contact Person:  Melissa Dennis, LPC, melissa.dennis@ct.gov

River Valley Services (RVS)
Silver Street
Middletown, CT 06457

Contact Person: Michelle Leister, Clinical Director, (860) 262-5318

Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH)
Language Services Department
(860) 262-7193

CVH provides for clients who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing:

  • Deaf and Hard of Hearing services through a full time certified Deaf and Hard of Hearing Interpreter (NIC). The full time interpreter is available 8-4:30 M-F. When the CVH interpreter is not available, outside vendors are utilized to provide services.
  • A PockeTalker is available for clients in need of an amplification/noise reduction device.  The hospital also has 4 video phones that DHOH clients can use to make telephone calls and Teletypewriter’s (TTY) for use by clients who prefer this older technology.
The Language Services Department provides an array of services for clients who prefer to utilize a language other than English, including American Sign Language. Language Services is responsible for quality testing of existing staff who are able to interpret, scheduling interpreters through three different contracted agencies, evaluating interpreter services and interpreting for clients. Language Services helps ensure that all clients have access to all components of treatment at CVH in their preferred language.  
Contact Person:  Ann Lenz represents CVH on the Statewide DHOH Advisory Council, Ann.Lenz@ct.gov

Whiting Forensic Hospital (WFH)
WFH
P.O. Box 70
Middletown, CT  06457
Contact Person:
PH:   860-262-5400  FAX:  860-262-5485
Admissions:  860-262-5479 DHOH Team/Services

REGION 3

Southeastern Mental Health Authority (SMHA)
401 West Thames Street Building 301
Norwich, CT 06360
860-859-4500 (voice)
860-373-9093 (videophone) 

Contact Person:  Mary Beth Jordan, Behavioral Health Clinical Manager, 860-859-4510

REGION 4

Capitol Region Mental Health Center (CRMHC)
500 Vine Street
Hartford, CT  06112
860-297-0800 (voice)
Mainline for DHOH Team:  860-297-0957
860-899-1871 (videophone)
860-297-0805 (TTY)
860-297-0915 (fax)

Hours of Operation:  Monday-Friday 8:00-4:30

DHOH Team/Services

  • Deaf Clinicians = 3
  • Staff Interpreters = 2

Contact Person: DHOH Team Member, 860-899-1871 (videophone) or 860-297-0957 (voice)

REGION 5

Western CT Mental Health Network
(Danbury Area, Torrington Area, Waterbury Area)

55 West Main St  Suite 410
Waterbury, CT 06702-2004

203-805-6400 (voice)
203-805-6432 

State Rules and Regulations

DMHAS Resources

External Resources

Adaptive Equipment Resources
Service Dogs for the Deaf

Return to:  Office of Multicultural Healthcare Equity