River Valley Services

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Services Offered

The Mobile Response Team (MRT) is a community crisis evaluation and intervention service which is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.  MRT has the ability to offer services to a client in need at home, in a local emergency room, on a city street, or in jail.  MRT is the sole screening point for Middlesex County admissions to state psychiatric hospitals.  MRT can be reached at any time by calling 860 344-2100.

Respite is an eight bed short-term residential service for individuals who are undergoing severe psychological distress, but who do not require an inpatient level of care. 

Community Support Program (CSP) provides clinical and case management services, psychiatry, psychotherapy, group and family services, supported employment, and money management for clients who need long-term, comprehensive services.

Lower County Clinical Team (LCCT) located in Old Saybrook, provides clinical and case management services, psychiatry, psychotherapy, group and family services, supported employment, and money management for individuals from shoreline communities who need long-term comprehensive services.

Young Adult Services (YAS) provides clinical case management and supported employment services for individuals aged 18-26, responding to the specific developmental challenges of this age group.  A component of YAS, the Community Living Service provides services to young adults in supervised and supported apartments.

The Intake Clinician receives requests for services and helps callers obtain necessary assistance.  If needed, the Intake Clinician conducts a comprehensive assessment of an individual’s needs and links him/her to appropriate DMHAS-funded services.  The Intake Clinician can be reached by calling 860 262-5223.

The Transitional Treatment and Evaluation service provides time limited, problem specific individual, group or family psychotherapy and/or clinical case management.

Deaf, Deaf-Blind, or Hard of Hearing Services:
RVS is committed to providing a full array of Clinical Services to clients and offer 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. People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing clients have access to all psychiatric services including case management, group and individual psychotherapy, Respite, vocational services and medication management. Michelle Leister is the contact person to address the communication needs of persons who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and ensure full access to services.  She can be reached by telephone at 860 262-5318 or via email at:  michelle.leister@ct.gov.

The Hospital/Community Liaison coordinates community and hospital treatment planning for hospitalized clients.

The Court Liaison Service is a jail diversion program staffed by a licensed clinical social worker.  The Court Liaison provides rapid assessment and referral to clinical services for persons with mental health and substance abuse disorders in pre-arraignment lock-up, out on bond, or on Promise to Appear.

The ASIST Program provides alternatives to incarceration for individuals with significant psychiatric disorders who have criminal justice system involvement with a primary focus on individuals who have been incarcerated.  

Client Rights Officer This position is responsible for helping to resolve issues of dissatisfaction or disagreement clients may have with the services they receive at RVS, including through the use of the Grievance Procedure.

Shelter Plus Care This program provides rent subsidies and support services for people who are homeless and who have a history of psychiatric disability, substance abuse, dual diagnosis, or are homeless and HIV positive.

RIDE Transportation Program This program provides free transportation to RVS clients as a supplement to existing transportation resources (e.g., public transportation).  RIDE transports clients to RVS for appointments with case managers or psychiatrists, or to other appropriate appointments.

Common Thread Warmline (CTWL) A peer support service, the CTWL is run by volunteers who are in recovery from mental illness.  Volunteers are there to listen and support callers’ efforts to problem-solve.  The CTWL services Middlesex County, Lyme, Old Lyme, Meriden and Wallingford.  Warmline hours will continue from 4pm-9pm and is now open daily, Sunday through Saturday. Warmline can be reached by calling 1-800-316-9145.


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