To be the premier behavioral health and wellness provider, building healthy communities where every person’s unique experience is valued without judgement.
OUR CORE VALUES
Compassion
We practice compassion by understanding that our behaviors and actions are contagious
We practice compassion by having empathy for others’ feelings and experiences
We Practice compassion by embracing our community’s diversity
Accountability
We are accountable to each other by setting clear expectations through honest communication
We are accountable to the people we serve by honoring our promises
We are accountable to our community by developing programs and opportunities that optimize resources
Respect
We respect our teammates by being mindful of our intentions, fostering a culture of kindness
We respect our clients by empowering them to choose their own path to wellness
We respect our community by listening to and acting upon its changing needs
Excellence
We exhibit excellence to each other, always leading by example
We exhibit excellence to our clients by modeling empathy, integrity, and dedication
We exhibit excellence to our community by continually improving service quality and outcomes
Why We Do What We Do
We believe in the endless possibilities that can be harnessed simply by access to hope – hope in recovery, hope in progress, and hope in the future. At Sound Community Services, we dedicate our days to providing a culture of compassion and human connection that fosters hope through support, education, and opportunity. And while the statistics inspire our mission, they do not define it. Ours is a mission defined by passion, intention, inclusion, diversity an enriched connection to our community, those we serve and a belief that any statistic can be overcome when you dare greatly from the heart.
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.
- 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 the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid.
Board of Directors
The SCSI Board of Directors (BOD) is an active group that is fully integrated into all organizational
development activities, including monthly board meetings and sub-committee meetings, strategic planning,
decision-making, and fundraising. Board members are active in the community on both local and state levels and
hold seats on a variety of committees.
The SCSI Leadership Team reports directly to the BOD and meets with them monthly to discuss any activities or
changes and maintains close contact with the BOD Chair regarding crucial decisions.
At Sound Community Services, we dedicate our days to providing a culture of compassion and human connection
that fosters hope through support, education, and opportunity. Below are the words and thoughts from just a
handful of the many individuals Sound Community Services has been able to help.
"Sound helped me with my mental health issues and provide me with an opportunity to be around other
people who have dual-diagnosis like me. We also get to go on trips, eat together, and be part of wonderful
groups.”
- Juanita, a client of Sound Community Services
"Sound is a wonderful community that really cares and helps. It is your job to take the help you are
given in life and to never give up. Sound helps to motivate you in right direction of life."
- Erik, a client of Sound Community Services
"I learned more about how to become independent in 4 weeks at AXS than I did in 4 years at a private
school meant for teaching independence. I was sheltered for so long and knew next to nothing until I came
here."
- Lauren, a client of Sound Community Services
"I love Sound, they make sure I’m comfortable and that I’m safe. They’ve always been amazing like
that with me. I love Sound Community Services."
- Jasmina, a client of Sound Community Services
"I was living in a hopeless situation, Sound Community Services is the best place I’ve been, I’m
very thankful."
- Bryan, a client of Sound Community Services
"AXS helped me when I needed it the most. It has helped me break my shell when I get nervous or
scared. I get along with everyone and they get along with me. I love it."
- Norris, a client of Sound Community Services
“Sound has helped me for over 15 years in becoming a better person. I am around people just like me.
I enjoy the groups that the agency provides for the clients.”
- Brenda, a client of Sound Community Services
"Sound has made a big difference in my life. I am a sober and clean person today. They helped me to do that. I feel like I am finally alive. I felt like I was dead before. Whenever I am down, I now can pick myself back up because Sound taught me how to do that."
- Jeanne, a client of Sound Community Services
STAFF TESTIMONIALS
At Sound Community Services, we dedicate our days to providing a culture of compassion and human connection
that fosters hope through support, education, and opportunity. Below are the words and thoughts from just a
handful of the dedicated Sound Community Services staff and volunteers.
“I am proud of my journey because agencies such as Sound Community allows second chances for
individuals like me. Sound Community has given me an extraordinary opportunity to be a change agent. This
agency has allowed me to give back in ways that I could not have imagined.”
- Kwan, a part of the Sound Community Services Team
“I love Sound Community Services! It is amazing when you can work for a place that no matter what
position you hold, we all jump in! Everyone is involved and engaged in making our community a better place by
providing sate of the art treatment. I’ve never worked for another place where the CEO walks through the
halls, high-fives clients, and knows all their names!”
- Lisa, a part of the Sound Community Services Team
“Sound is a place where we have the unique opportunity of changing lives daily. I have learned
though life that it is a great blessing to give than to receive. Working at Sound has been some of the
greatest years of my life.”
- Errol, a part of the Sound Community Services Team
"I joined Sound because I wanted to be a part of a team that did more than just look out for its own
self interests. It was clear from day one that the employees here care so deeply for the clients they serve,
that they would give the shirt off their own back if they could. This selfless mentality and dedication to the
work our employees perform on a daily basis is inspiration and motivation for my own work. I’m proud to be a
part of something that is so meaningful to our clients and our community."
- Max, a part of the Sound Community Services Team
“Sound Community Services provides much needed services to New London and the surrounding areas. I
am glad to see an agency step up to meet those needs, as I firmly believe it takes a village to change the
world. Sound acts as a supportive village to our part of the world.”
- Donavan, a part of the Sound Community Services Team
“Nothing is better than working in the community you were raised in! I have a good time working with
the young adults and the staff here at Sound Community.”
- Derek, a part of the Sound Community Services Team
“Every day I wake up ready to serve my clients and give them an opportunity for a better future.”
- Alixzandra, a part of the Sound Community Services Team
“We all walk in the dark and each of us must learn to turn on our own light. In a world full of such
negativity and darkness, it is important to be a light. Not only to the people we help and serve also to those
we work with and even those we pass on the streets or in supermarkets. That’s the light I strive to be when
encountered.”
- Tobias, a part of the Sound Community Services Team
“We care about the people we serve, and we always keep trying. We continue to try and adapt in
different ways to provide the best and continuous supports. I get to see the most progress working with YAS
clients, and I get to see the passion and enjoyment the staff have in the process..”
- Joey, a part of the Sound Community Services Team
“I would just like to say that I truly enjoy working for Sound. I love our commitment to our persons
served and to helping them better their lives utilizing the many resources we have. Personnel here make it
very easy to want to come to work each day. To feel valued, heard, supported, and respected gives me a sense
of belongingness and for that I am thankful!”
- Karen, a part of the Sound Community Services Team
