Positive Directions is a non-profit behavioral health organization providing prevention, counseling, medication management, and support groups to adolescents and adults struggling with mental health or substance use disorders. FY 2024 Impact Report Dear Friend, Thanks to the unwavering support of donors like you, we can provide essential and affordable counseling and recovery support to those in need. Currently, 40% of our clients utilize state insurance, sliding scale fees, or our Treatment Fund. The repercussions of mental health issues can be profound in children, and it is a growing crisis. At Positive Directions, we have experienced a 15% increase in our mental health services for children aged twelve to eighteen over the past year. To better meet our community’s needs, we are proactively expanding our services to include youth as young as ten. Our targeted, tailored treatment and resources empower young people to manage their mental health struggles effectively and develop strong coping strategies. In Fiscal Year 2025, we are prioritizing partnerships and programs that directly support youth mental health. Our collaboration with Norwalk Public Schools is providing vital drug and alcohol counseling to high school students, addressing this critical issue head-on. Our summer SMART Recovery group for middle schoolers equipped them with the tools necessary for success as they transitioned to high school. Additionally, programs like 1:1 Peer Support offer teens and young adults valuable alternatives to traditional counseling. Our “Teen Nights Out”—sober social activities for Norwalk teens—have been developed in response to data from our youth surveys, allowing us to effectively tailor strategies to our community's immediate behavioral health needs. Tackling these challenges requires a determined, collective effort from families, counseling professionals, partner organizations, and engaged community members like you. The rising demand for our services this year underscores the urgency of our mission. Your prompt support is essential for Positive Directions to continue delivering critical clinical, prevention, and recovery services to all members of our community, regardless of their financial situation. With more children facing mental health struggles, we need your support now more than ever. You can make a donation through our website, and checks can be mailed to Positive Directions, 90 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06880. We also invite you to consider including us in your company’s corporate matching program. Your support, in whatever form it takes, is crucial to our ability to continue serving our community. To learn more about Positive Directions’ impact on the community, please read the enclosed Impact Report. Thank you for being a vital part of our mission. Your past support has been invaluable, making a tangible difference in the lives of many. We look forward to your continued partnership and the impactful changes we can achieve together. Sincerely, Vanessa Wilson, LMFT Executive Director Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to our website to stay up-to-date

NYC Marathon charity page Support Team Positive Directions! Positive Directions is proud to be an official charity partner of New York Road Runners, which organizes the famed TCS New York City Marathon each year. Through this partnership, Positive Direction provides a limited number of runners with guaranteed entry. For over 50 years, Positive Directions has provided Fairfield County mental health and substance misuse services through community prevention, counseling, and recovery support. Our purpose is to 1) support individuals and families in need and 2) creating a healthy, positive, and inspiring environment that fosters mental well-being. Positive Directions will NEVER refuse treatment based on an individual’s ability to pay. 100% of event proceeds will go to supporting Positive Directions' ongoing support of mental health services and substance use prevention. Run Strong, Think Positive Click below to apply for Team Positive Directions. Apply Here! MARATHON TEAM MEMBER BENEFITS Guaranteed entry into the TCS New York City Marathon Assistance setting up a personalized fundraising page Form letter for potential supporters Team t-shirt MARATHON TEAM MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES Commitment to raise at least $3,000 for Positive Directions Responsible for the registration fee paid to New York Road Runners ($255 entry fee for NYRR members, $315 for non-members) Required to provide credit card information as a personal guarantee Not a runner, but want to support Positive Directions? Click below to make a charitable donation. Donate Here!

Positive Directions is a non-profit behavioral health organization providing prevention, counseling, medication management, and support groups to adolescents and adults struggling with mental health or substance use disorders. About Us Positive Directions-The Center for Prevention & Counseling had its origins in 1971 as a volunteer-based organization known as the Alcoholism Council. Developed by people in recovery from alcohol use disorder, the organization sought to bring substance misuse awareness into the Westport, Connecticut schools and community and to support recovery. Over the following years, we evolved into a 501(c)(3) behavioral health nonprofit working to strengthen the mental wellbeing of both individuals and communities in Fairfield County, CT. Today, we are recognized for our mission: to serve as innovative community leaders in mental health, substance prevention, and peer support. Our reach is now statewide. In our state-licensed outpatient clinic, we provide individual and family counseling to children, adolescents, and adults with mental health and substance misuse challenges. We serve clients in-person at our Westport location as well as virtually, and we have substance counselors located at two high schools in Norwalk. We have staff licensed in Connecticut, New York and New Hampshire. Through our community prevention programs, we help towns in mid-Fairfield County plan and implement data-based strategies to educate youth and families and to change community norms to prevent substance misuse and promote mental wellbeing. Our free support groups and one-on-one peer support for youth and young adults provide a safe space and trained facilitators to help individuals and families learn coping skills and gain support for their personal journeys. Our CT Support Group project is a statewide, peer-developed platform for youth and young adults searching for mental wellbeing and connections with peers and peer support. History Our Beginnings Meet our Team Staff & Board Testimonials What Our Clients Say Upcoming Events Trainings & Talks Community Sponsors Thank you to our funders! Careers See current openings

Positive Directions is a non-profit behavioral health organization providing prevention, counseling, medication management, and support groups to adolescents and adults struggling with mental health or substance use disorders. Nina Chanana Survey Evaluator Nina Chanana, MPA, is principal of Chanana Consulting in Fairfield, CT. She enjoys helping clients understand the value of evaluation for documenting and demonstrating program value and building organizational capacity for internal monitoring and assessment. She loves working with committed, avid colleagues and clients who create exciting experiences for youth and their families. Most importantly, Nina is committed to being part of teams that work to improve the communities in which they work and live. Since 2007, Nina has been providing evaluation services to a diverse group of clients at her time as a consultant for duBay Horton Associates, a community-based public health consulting firm located in Bridgeport, CT, and currently as principal of Chanana Consulting in Fairfield, CT. Over her career, Nina has worked with a wide range of clients including schools, non-profits, neighborhood organizations, foundations, and city and state agencies. She has conducted evaluations in formal and informal settings, and has experience with evaluation planning, needs assessments, resource inventory, data management, strategic planning, and program design. Nina Chanana: Team Members

Positive Directions is a non-profit behavioral health organization providing prevention, counseling, medication management, and support groups to adolescents and adults struggling with mental health or substance use disorders. Our History Positive Directions was established in 1971 in Westport, CT as a volunteer effort by people in recovery from alcohol addiction to bring awareness and prevention into school and community programs and support recovery. Since then, treatment and prevention programs have evolved to become more disciplined and outcome focused, and Positive Directions today emphasizes evidence-supported clinical treatment services and community-focused prevention programs. We are now a 501(c)(3) non-profit behavioral health organization working across the continuum of prevention, treatment, and recovery. Our outpatient clinic provides counseling, recovery groups, and peer supports to youth and adults who are struggling with their mental health, substance misuse, problem gambling or other addictions. We have also received state prevention and awareness funding continuously for more than 25 years, in recognition of our expertise as a provider of evidence-supported, data-driven, locally focused prevention programs to the communities we serve.

Positive Directions is a non-profit behavioral health organization providing prevention, counseling, medication management, and support groups to adolescents and adults struggling with mental health or substance use disorders. Angelina Miceli, LCSW Clinical Director Angelina joined Positive Directions with experience providing individual and group psychotherapy in the school system as well as in both the non-profit and private sectors. Most recently, she served as Assistant Director at Personal Growth Concepts, Inc in Stratford - a private counseling agency. In those settings, she has helped adolescents and adults to work through and overcome challenges such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, marital conflict, grief, loss and traumas. Angelina utilizes a collaborative approach to help clients work toward their identified goals. She believes that her clients are the experts on their lives and, in turn, are the most important tool in their healing process. She adjusts her style to fit her clients and their needs as opposed to functioning from a one-size-fits-all approach. In doing so, she draws from her experience using Cognitive-Behavioral (CBT), psychodynamic, insight-oriented and strengths-based approaches. She offers to her clients an empathetic ear, a supportive environment, and the encouragement to realize their full potential. In her spare time, Angelina loves spending quality time with her husband attending concerts and exploring nature or being a kid again with her niece and nephew. She can often be found in the kitchen baking a new egg-free confection, or curled on the couch travelling around the world through the pages of a good book. Angelina can be contacted via e-mail at amiceli@positivedirections.org . Or by phone at 203-227-7644 ext 828 Psychology Today Angelina Miceli, LCSW: Team Members

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Positive Directions is a non-profit behavioral health organization providing prevention, counseling, medication management, and support groups to adolescents and adults struggling with mental health or substance use disorders. Karlene Barnett, MS, LADC, LPC-A Licensed Alcohol & Drug Counselor Karlene joined Positive Directions with experience providing individual and group psychotherapy in Early Childhood, Inpatient and Outpatient entities. She previously served as a Clinician at Recovery Counseling Services in Bridgeport - a non-profit counseling agency. In those settings, she has helped adolescents and adults to work through and overcome challenges such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), grief, traumas, and substance abuse. Karlene also worked in collaboration with Court Officers in assessing clients for mental health disorders and identifying the right approach for treatment. Karlene utilizes a collaborative approach to help clients work towards their identified goals. She believes that her clients are the experts on their lives and, in turn, are the most important tool in their healing process. Karlene also believes that the client has the power to thicken their stories. Therefore she believes immensely in the Narrative Theory which helps the client to minimize their problems and rewrite their lives. In addition to also using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Karlene also believes in Spirituality which guides the client in their beliefs and walks them through stages that are important in their recovery. She offers to her clients an empathetic ear, a supportive environment, and the encouragement to realize their full potential. Karlene graduated with her Masters from the University of Bridgeport and is also the recipient of a Doctorate in Theology. In her spare time, Karlene serves as the Senior Pastor for a growing ministry in Stratford and serves on the Board of Directors for an International Ministry in the Tri-state area. She is devoted to spending quality time with her husband and two children by traveling, going to the movies and enjoying great seafood! Karlene can be reached by email at: kbarnett@positivedirections.org Or by phone at 203-227-7644 ext 838 Psychology Today Karlene Barnett, LADC, MS: Team Members

Positive Directions is a non-profit behavioral health organization providing prevention, counseling, medication management, and support groups to adolescents and adults struggling with mental health or substance use disorders. Community Surveys Over the years, Positive Directions has worked with the Local Prevention Councils (LPCs) in Fairfield, Norwalk, Weston, Westport, and Wilton to conduct surveys of youth, college students, and/or community members. This information allows our community coalitions to identify needs and develop plans that address local conditions and target high risk groups. Survey data also assists in seeking grants. Our survey work has allowed both Norwalk and Fairfield to be awarded the federal Drug-Free Communities (DFC) grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. See recent data presentations below or contact us for additional data. Data Presentations 2021 Fairfield Youth Survey results: presentation to Board of Education Download Mental Health and Substance Use in Norwalk in 2021: presentation of community and youth survey findings to Common Council Download 2021 Norwalk Youth Survey results: combined presentation to Board of Education and The Norwalk Partnership Download 2021 Westport Youth Survey results: presentation to Board of Education and Westport Prevention Coalition Download

Positive Directions is a non-profit behavioral health organization providing prevention, counseling, medication management, and support groups to adolescents and adults struggling with mental health or substance use disorders. Careers CT Support Group Peer Support Specialist Our CT Support Group project is looking for a part-time Peer Support Specialist for the CT Support Group project. Young adults who are certified as peer support specialists (Recovery Support Specialists, Recovery Coaches) are strongly encouraged to apply. Occasional weekend or evening events. Some travel required. Get Job Description CT Support Group Volunteer Our CT Support Group project is looking for volunteers ages 15-29 from Connecticut to contribute content and help us grow our online mental health and peer support community. As a volunteer, you will help shape how we connect with young people across Connecticut through personal storytelling, social media, outreach, resource research, and engagement across all of our platforms (website, Discord, social media). There are many ways to be involved! Get Volunteer Description Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor Positive Directions—The Center for Prevention and Counseling is seeking a LADC to provide a full range of counseling and support services to individuals and families affected by substance use disorders. Bilingual preferred. Part-time or full-time. Get Job Description Licensed Counselor, Independent Contractor (1099) (Bilingual preferred) Positive Directions—The Center for Prevention and Counseling is seeking an independent contractor to provide in person and/or telehealth sessions to our diverse client population. Bilingual preferred. Get Job Description We seek highly skilled applicants to work in our collaborative, inclusive environment. We actively work to foster belonging and empowerment in our staff.

Positive Directions is a non-profit behavioral health organization providing prevention, counseling, medication management, and support groups to adolescents and adults struggling with mental health or substance use disorders. One-on-One Peer Support For people in their teens & 20s Our Peer Support Specialist, Ally Kernan , is recognized statewide as an advocate for recovery, a motivational speaker, and a young adult who uses her lived experience with mental illness and substance use to provide support and guidance to others. Ally is trained as a Recovery Support Specialist (mental health), Recovery Coach (substance use), and SMART Recovery facilitator, and a Drug & Alcohol Recovery Counselor. She is available two mornings a week on a first-come, first-served basis for free individual peer support. Text her at 203-227-7644 x842 to schedule. Download flyer

Positive Directions is a non-profit behavioral health organization providing prevention, counseling, medication management, and support groups to adolescents and adults struggling with mental health or substance use disorders. Addiction Addiction to alcohol and/or other drugs is a disease that negatively affects both the physical and mental health of the victim, while also hurting their friends and family. An individual suffering from addiction experiences withdrawal symptoms when they are unable to partake in the addictive behavior, making it extremely difficult to quit. Rehabilitation (inpatient or outpatient programs) and counseling that address physical, mental and behavioral aspects of addiction are necessary for a full recovery. The various types of addiction treatment include: Detox Inpatient or Residential Treatment Outpatient Treatment Support Groups such as SMART Recovery , Relapse Prevention or Alcoholics Anonymous Psychotherapy Behavioral therapy The recovery process is a long journey that can be challenging for the person who is addicted and their loved ones. Accepting several forms of treatment will help eliminate the possibility of relapse and susceptibility to other conditions such as anxiety and depression. Post-treatment care should be ongoing in order to help cope with the lifestyle changes that are required for a complete and lasting recovery. Positive Directions Approach to Addiction & Recovery: At Positive Directions, we work to help our clients support and sustain recovery from addictive behaviors and substances. Our approach in working with clients to address their addiction is collaborative and client-driven, and we work to meet the client where they are at to tailor treatment to their individual circumstances. Upon admission, a comprehensive intake evaluation is completed to gather a history of the client and learn more about what they have been experiencing. This helps us to gather a comprehensive picture of the impact that addiction has had on their lives and allows us to tailor our approach to the client’s needs. Starting with this information, we then develop an individualized treatment plan for each client that is tailored to their needs and goals. The treatment plan guides the work we do in session, and progress toward treatment goals is evaluated and measured during each counseling session. Additionally, we periodically review this plan with our clients to ensure that we are consistently working toward and updating goals and objectives as appropriate. Based upon the treatment plan, services are provided to address individual needs and teach clients the skills and tools necessary to gain insight and understanding around their substance use, work to reduce substance use and/or promote recovery, and improve their overall quality of life. Our counselors also work closely with family members as appropriate, educating them about addiction and recovery, and supporting their involvement in their loved one’s treatment. When providing these services, a variety of clinical techniques are utilized such as cognitive behavioral, behavioral modification, motivational interviewing, solution-focused and dialectical behavioral tools. Our clinicians are trained in a variety of effective treatment modalities, and treatment is tailored to specific individual and family needs. Our approach is designed to assist people in improving the quality of their lives. Addiction: What We Do