Category Archives: Institute for Innovative Practice

The Connection’s Institute for Innovative Practice Provides Evidence that Peer Mentorship Reduces Risk to Reoffend

For over a decade, community-based organizations have called for the expansion of peer-based services in the criminal justice system, as it has become common practice in the behavioral health field. However, efforts to employ peer mentors for individuals reentering society after periods of incarceration have been stalled in part because of a lack of evidence […]

The Connection Training Sessions, Spring/Summer 2020 Courses Now Enrolling

Due to coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns, The Connection is taking the precautionary measure of postponing all Connection training sessions through mid-April. When we are able to reschedule sessions, we will contact registrants to provide updated information. Thank you for your understanding as we take the measure necessary to ensure the well-being of our participants and staff. The […]

Announcing: Mental Health First Aid Courses for First Responders

The Connection Institute for Innovative Practice Director’s Book Receives
National Attention

The Connection Institute Co-Director Charles Barber recently published a book, Citizen Outlaw: One Man’s Journey from Gang Leader to Peacekeeper. The nonfiction book follows the journey of William Outlaw from housing project youth, to drug kingpin, to prisoner in the most notorious Federal correctional institutions across the country, and finally as an award-winning community advocate […]

The Connection Training Sessions, Fall/Winter 2019–2020 Courses Now Enrolling

The Connection provides quality training and professional development designed to promote excellence in the human services field. Our Fall/Winter catalog is now available and enrollment is open for all sessions. Click the cover image below to browse the full training catalog — which includes important information about our policies and registration, and also includes descriptions […]

Not just a place to live: From homelessness to citizenship

Twenty years ago, Jim lived under a highway bridge in New Haven, Connecticut. He was in his 50s and had once been in the Army. A New Haven mental health outreach team found him one morning sleeping under the bridge. His neon yellow sneakers stuck out from underneath his blankets. Read on to find out […]

Connecting criminal justice, mental health, and family support for better delivery of human services

The Connection’s uniquely flexible and cross-disciplinary service approach has been featured in a special World Health Organization-curated issue of the International Journal of Public Health. The article explores the elements of the institutional culture at The Connection, and outlines the role that The Connection Institute for Innovative Practice plays in integrating research practice and advocacy. […]