WSPIC is a unique collaboration among Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), Connecticut Women’s Consortium (CWC) and non-profit providers of women’s specialty services. WSPIC was created in October 2004, as a three-year initiative designed to improve the behavioral health service system for women by incorporating current best practices in gender-responsive and trauma-informed programming. Since its inception, WSPIC has served as a forum for a vital exchange among community-based service providers, persons in recovery, the research community, national leaders and policy-makers. 

In the initial stages of collaboration WSPIC developed the following documents:
§ Gender Responsive Treatment Guidelines
§ Core Gender Responsive Guidelines
§ Guidelines for Men’s and Women’s Programs
§ Gender Responsive Program Self-Assessment Tool

While the original aim of WSPIC was improving women’s substance abuse services programs, the fact that the vast majority of women are being served in co-ed programs required an additional focus. WSPIC is currently investigating two co-ed pilots that are working on instituting gender-responsive and trauma-informed programming..

Programs and providers involved

§ Family & Children’s Agency - Project Reward
§ Chemical Abuse Service Agency (CASA) / Project Courage
§ Liberation / Families in Recovery
§ Women’s Recovery Support Program
§ The Connection / Women and Children’s Center
§ Crossroads / Amethyst House
§ APT Foundation / Central Treatment Unit
§ APT Foundation / Women in Treatment
§ Community Prevention and Addiction Services (CPAS) / New Life Center
§ The Connection / Mothers’ Retreat
§ The Connection /Women’s Services of Groton
§ Wheeler Clinic / Lifeline
§ Alcohol and Drug Recovery Center (ADRC) / Coventry House
§ Midwestern Connecticut Council on Alcoholism (MCCA) / Women & Children’s Program
§ Morris Foundation / Women and Children’s Program
§ Sisters Together Achieving Recovery (STAR) Program
 

Groups, committees and projects

WSPIC Guide
The guide team oversees the events and committees of WSPIC

WSPIC Best Practices
The best practices committee gathers provider input and makes recommendations to the WSPIC guide team concerning the implementation of gender-responsive care in the state. The committee also directly implements strategies that will improve services to women.

WSPIC Quarterly Meetings and Annual Retreats
WSPIC quarterly meetings and annual retreats provide an opportunity for women’s services providers to look at education opportunities and the future of women’s services in Connecticut. Meetings often feature provider panels and noted speakers.

WSPIC eNewsletter
 Sent out on a quarterly basis to keep all WSPIC parties up to date on various WSPIC activities.

Contact information
o Cinda Cash, executive director, CWC, ccash@womensconsortium.org
o Olivia Yetter, executive administrative assistant, CWC, oyetter@womensconsortium.org
o Terry Nowakowski, assistant director, DMHAS Statewide Services, terry.nowakowski@po.state.ct.us