Partnership Facilitates Educational Opportunities for At-Risk Youth

Bridgeport, CT - Housatonic Community College (HCC) has announced a new collaboration with The Child & Family Guidance Center (CFGC). With social distancing and a virtual audience, an agreement was signed at the college formalizing the partnership that will facilitate educational opportunities for at-risk youth and their families.

The collaboration is part of a priority by the college to initiate, develop and sustain effective partnerships with area businesses, community organizations and key stakeholders in the region. By creating opportunities to work directly with these entities, HCC is expanding access to education for those that live and work throughout southwestern Connecticut.

“Housatonic cares deeply about the communities it serves, and by cultivating community-campus partnerships, we can better meet their specific needs. By working side-by-side with organizations such as The Child & Family Guidance Center, we are developing innovative pathways for entry into higher education, and strengthening our entire region,” said Dwayne Smith, Ph.D., HCC Chief Executive Officer.

The partnership between HCC and CFGC forges an educational pathway that includes presenting admissions and financial aid information to CFGC program participants, providing a liaison to guide CFGC families through the college admissions process for a gentle transition into higher education, and connecting CFGC families to HCC’s ‘wraparound’ services such as tutoring, counseling, and other non-instructional services.

Through the agreement, CFGC, which provides culturally-informed mental health care and complementary supports to vulnerable children and their families, will provide home visiting presentations and resources to HCC students and childcare staff. Eligible HCC students will also have access to resources available through CFGC’s continuum of care.

“The success and well-being of children and families in Greater Bridgeport depends on many factors — including, importantly, education,” said CFGC President & CEO Michael Patota. “Connecting our youth to resources and opportunities at Housatonic Community College is invaluable to building a stronger community, overall, and we know our services and care management can be a benefit to HCC students who may need additional support to reach their goals.”

To learn more about Housatonic Community College visit housatonic.edu and visit cfguidance.com to learn more about The Child & Family Guidance Center.