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 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:
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Text the word "Deaf" to 741-741
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Wait for a response.
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.
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
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Interpreter Request Form for Office of the Commissioner ONLY (pdf) - Please note this form MUST BE FAXED and may not be sent electronically.
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:
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Deaf Clinician = 1
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Staff Interpreter = 1
F.S. DuBois Center
1351 Washington Boulevard
5th Floor
Stamford, CT 06901
203.388.1600 (Voice)
DHOH Team/ Services:
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Deaf Clinician = 1
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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:
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DHOH Clinician = 1
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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:
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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.
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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.
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
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Deaf Clinicians = 3
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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
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Special Programs – Statutory References
DMHAS Resources
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DMHAS Memorandum and Roles Clarification – October 12, 2018
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External Resources
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Disability Rights Connecticut: https://www.disrightsct.org/
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C-Print Services: Source Interpreting: http://www.sourceinterpreting.com/
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Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART):
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New England ADA Center: https://www.newenglandada.org/cart-services
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State Legislation: https://www.cga.ct.gov/2014/rpt/pdf/2014-r-0025.pdf
Return to: Office of Multicultural Healthcare Equity