1976 – A mission emerged to facilitate the transition of numerous hospitalized individuals back into the community.

2005 – Integrated Behavioral Health and First Step merged to become Sound Community Services.

2007 – Sound Community Services joined to support children and families by starting Project SAFE (Substance Abuse Family Evaluation) – A successful collaboration between the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) to improve the lives of children and their families in Connecticut.

2009 – Sound Community Services assisted individuals who faced federal probation and required mental health supports to re-integrate back into their community.

2010 – Sound Community Services began accepting applications in order to support people with WISE services – A program, initiated by DMHAS, in order to assist people with staying in their community with supports rather than higher levels of care, such as skilled nursing facilities.

2011 – Sound Community Services opened it’s residential doors to the first young adult program. The YAS Scattered Sites Initiative (Shaw Program) began to provide life skills to young adults who were transitioning into adulthood.

2012 – Sound Community Services assessed a need that the community would benefit from and develops the Rite of Passage Program (ROPP) – a 4-bed male house, dedicated to supporting the specific challenges that young adults who have a significant mental illness and cognitive challenges may face.

2013 – Under new leadership, Sound Community Services grew significantly by providing new and innovative services that affected the lives of many in southeastern Connecticut. The agency also grew from a cultural perspective by focusing attention on changing lives through empowerment, knowledge, and opportunity while living our values of integrity, teamwork, and service to our clients, our community and each other.

2014 – Sound Community Services continued its journey on supporting young adults with the implementation of the AXS Center – a young adult drop-in center that provides a range of services focused on socialization, educational, employment, life skills support, and links to services of need.

2015 – Sound Community Services embarked on integrating behavioral health services and coordinating and collaborating more closely with community primary care services with a new program called Behavioral Health Homes (BHH).

2016 – Sound Community Services redesigned the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), by moving to a dual-diagnosis model, as well as offering IOP 5 days/week in the morning and introducing a 3 days/week afternoon session as well. Sound Community Services partners with New London adult probation and the court system to provide effective support services by working collaboratively with system stakeholders to promote compliance with court orders and instill positive change in individuals, families, and communities.

2017 – Sound Community Services continued its focus on integration, collaboration, and implementing new strategies to serve our clients and community. The agency embarked on increasing clinical supports within our non-clinical programs in order to increase the level of understanding of the population we serve.

2018 – In the face of trying times, with regards to the region’s opioid epidemic, Sound Community Services began offering family support groups for loved ones who may have experienced this difficult journey.
– Sound Community Services earned Top-Rated Nonprofit Award by Great Nonprofits.
– Sound Community Services opened an Intensive Outpatient Program in Norwich.
– CEO earns an Executive Director of the Year Award and Mitchell College’s Distinguished Service Award.

2019 – Sound Community Services obtained its Substance Abuse License in the Norwich Outpatient Clinic to provide focused treatment with individuals with substance use disorder.
– Sound Community Services earned Top-Rated Nonprofit Award by Great Nonprofits, Top Workplaces Award by the Hartford Currant, and a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.
– Sound Community Services increased the clinical collaboration and supports with agency programs with the development of Community Support Groups (CSG). CSG provides various groups that meet the needs of individuals, no matter if they are early or late recovery.
– Sound Community Services developed an internal Leadership Training Academy to educate and empower managers to “lead from the heart” and to “model the way”.

2020 – CEO and CPO awarded the Patriot Award.
– Sound Community Services earned Top-Rated Nonprofit Award by Great Nonprofits, Top Workplaces Award by the Hartford Currant, and a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

2021 – Sound Community Services roles out a new Mission, Vision and Core Values Statement.
– Sound Community Services earned Top-Rated Nonprofit Award by Great Nonprofits, Top Workplaces Award by the Hartford Courant, and a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

2022 – Sound Community Services earned Top-Rated Nonprofit Award by Great Nonprofits and a Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid.

– Sound Community Services received 1st Place in The Day’s Best of the Best 2022 Readers’ Choice in Home Care Services (non-medical). 

– Sound Community Services receives a 3-year CARF accreditation. 

– Sound Community Services opens the Jason Hyatt Center, a 12-18 month residential program designed to support young adults 18-25 years of age who struggle with navigating a direct path transitioning to adulthood, mental health challenges, and chronic homelessness. 

– Sound Community Services was honored to be recognized at The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut 13th Annual Social Services Breakfast along with their community partner, New London Adult and Continuing Education, for the “Collaboration of the Year” award.

2023 – Sound Community Services earned Top-Rated Nonprofit Award by Great Nonprofits and a Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid.