CT Latino Behavioral Health System
History
In 2005, a group of community providers initiated planning efforts for an improved and expanded system of behavioral health care in response to the identified unmet needs of the monolingual Latinx community of greater New Haven and surrounding areas. The uniform consensus among the thirteen local agency leaders at the time reflected shared concerns regarding: (a) the difficulty of recruiting and retaining competent bilingual staff; (b) limited training, education, and consultation opportunities to learn about the implementation of evidence-based treatment practices with monolingual Latinxs; and (c) limited sources of funding available to address these issues. The effort put forth by the development team, in conjunction with the ardent support of State Representatives Patricia Dillon and Juan R. Candelaria, the CMHC leadership, and the CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services culminated in the funding of the CT Latino Behavioral Health System by the State Legislature in 2007.
What We Provide
As an established hub for Latinx services, program development, and professional training, the Hispanic Clinic of the Connecticut Mental Health Center serves as the coordinating anchor for the CT LBHS. This initiative seeks to expand and enhance the provision of empirically validated treatment alternatives for the Latinx community in Connecticut and throughout the collaborating mental health, primary care, social rehabilitation, and substance use agencies. Due to the glaring need for culturally adapted interventions for individuals experiencing mental health, substance use, and co-occurring disorders, the CT LBHS aims to: 1) increase the number of bilingual staff trained to provide evidence-based interventions; 2) advocate at the local, state, and national levels to address policy issues affecting the Latinx community; 3) provide an effective consultation mechanism to facilitate the sharing of information between health disparity researchers and providers; and 4) identify and pursue sources of funding to support system functioning and expansion.
Recognitions
2019: Greater New Haven Chamber, 17th Annual Clinical Program Award, CT Latino Behavioral Health System
2017: The Division 18 (American Psychological Association): Psychologists in the Public Service Best Paper Award in Psychological Services / Paper titled: “Connecticut Latino Behavioral Health System: A Culturally Informed Community-Academic Collaboration”
2009: The CT Latino Behavioral Health System (CT LBHS) was recognized and included in The Community Defined Evidence Project (CDEP) National Directory of Successful Practices for Latinos/Hispanics. The CDEP is a joint initiative of the National Latino Behavioral Health Association and the National Network to Eliminate Disparities
Contact Us
Michelle A. Silva, PsyD
Director, CT LBHS
michelle.silva@yale.edu
View Dr. Silva's web profile
203-974-5805
Esperanza Diaz, MD
Medical Director, CT LBHS
esperanza.diaz@yale.edu
View Dr. Diaz's web profile
203-974-5800
Luis Añez, PsyD
Director, Hispanic Services / CMHC
luis.aneznava@yale.edu
View Dr. Añez's web profile
203-974-5806
Manuel Paris, Jr., PsyD
Deputy Director, Hispanic Services / CMHC
manuel.paris@yale.edu
View Dr. Paris' web profile
203-974-5819