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Welcome to Vernon, a celebrated place to live, work and visit. 

Youth Services

 Click here to download a brochure of our services (PDF)

Youth Services
9 Elm Street Vernon, CT 06066
860-870-3555
860-870-3556 - Fax
email: mhill@vernon-ct.gov
YSB Staff Members
Michelle Hill – Director
Kim McTighe – Prevention Specialist
Julie Halpin – Youth Program and Prevention Coordinator

Mission Statement: The Vernon Youth Services Bureau is a Town of Vernon Department dedicated to providing:

  • Program Coordination
  • Information and Referral
  • Prevention Services
  • Early Intervention Services
  • Resource Development
  • Community Involvement
  • Youth Advocacy

Building Success Through Community Collaboration

Youth Services Goals
I. COORDINATION OF SERVICES
Through coordination with local, regional and state services, Vernon Youth Services Bureau will guide youth and their families to needed services such as:

  • Mental Health Counseling
  • Early Childhood Education Services
  • Nutrition Programs
  • Problem Assessment
  • Education on Youth Issues
  • Prevention Programs
  • Substance Abuse Counseling
  • Juvenile Court Process
  • Other Services as Requested

II. Community Networking
The Youth Services Bureau takes a leadership role in creating a coordinated network of community services. This goal is accomplished through the YSB involvement and membership on a variety of boards and commissions. Examples include membership on:

  • Vernon School Readiness Collaborative
  • Vernon Drug & Alcohol Prevention Council
  • Vernon Community Network
  • CT Youth Services Association

III. Youth Services Programs
The Vernon YSB advocates for the healthy development of children, youth and families through providing a variety of programs that focus on preventing problem behaviors. Examples of these programs include:

Peer Advocate Program
The Peer Advocate Program provides training for Rockville High School students to become role model helpers for their peer group. Peer Advocates work with elementary, middle and high school students in both group and one to one settings. Peer Advocates are trained in an intensive course to provide the following services:

  • Crisis Intervention
  • Mentoring
  • One to One Helping
  • Tutoring
  • New Student Tours
  • Intergenerational Community Programs

Truancy Intervention
The Vernon Youth Services Bureau works closely with the Vernon Public Schools to assist children attend school regularly. Students who are not attending school can be referred to the Truancy Intervention Program and receive a variety of in-school and community-based services. Our Youth Counselor will meet with students in school, at home and at the Youth Services office. This program is offered to children attending the five elementary schools in Vernon. Involvement in the Truancy Intervention Program is voluntary.

After-School Program
Helping children with healthy development through after-school programming is an important goal for the Vernon Youth Services Bureau. Through this program, the YSB offers elementary aged youth the opportunity to learn and have fun in a setting that is well-supervised and well-structured. The YSB after-school program is offered at our 9 Elm Street office. Children attending our after-school program will:

  • Learn Social Skills
  • Enjoy Recreational Activities
  • Benefit from Homework Support
  • Participate in Field Trips
  • Assist in Community Service Projects
  • And Much More!

Early Childhood Education
The Youth Services Bureau co-chairs the Vernon School Readiness Collaborative. The Collaborative is responsible for helping the community understand the need to achieve and continuously improve high quality pre-school education programming and smooth transition from pre-school to kindergarten. This is accomplished through coordinating professional development for pre-school teachers. Through its public awareness activities, the Collaborative informs Vernon residents about the importance of high quality pre-school education. Contact our School Readiness Project Manager for more information.

For more information call (860)870-3555 or send email to: Michelle Hill