Hartford Business Journal

28 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | July 4, 2022 BUSINESS PROFILES | APRIL 25, 2022 | HARTFORD BUSINESS JOURNAL 9 I nterCommunity Health Care was already on the front lines when the Covid-19 pandemic struck and exacerbated the challenges people face with behavioral health and addiction. The challenges have been particularly acute for young people, as the virus upended the normal course of development. At InterCommunity, leaders have relied on a nimble approach that leads to creative solutions for addressing the needs of the communities it serves. The nonprofit began offering a wide range of services via telehealth during the pandemic and it is planning a mobile unit to bring services directly to the people who depend on them. InterCommunity also has been ramping up efforts to assist people coping with food insecurity, an issue that has grown worse over the last two years. "Our community is struggling in many ways, so providing services to address these varying needs and doing so in tandem is crucial," says Kimberly L. Beauregard, president and CEO of the organization. "Impactful care in one area requires meeting needs in other areas too. This is exactly what InterCommunity does." It is something the nonprofit has been doing since 1977, when three families met in a church basement to exchange information regarding mental health issues and to offer each other support. Forty-five years later, InterCommunity provides primary care, behavioral health care and addiction recovery services at a range of clinics and centers, including a burgeoning network of school- based health centers. At the center of it all is a whole-person approach that is available to people regardless of their ability to pay. "Whether clients need physical or mental health care, struggle with substance use, or need help building skills or meeting their everyday needs, we have services to help," Beauregard says. And reflecting an emphasis on community and partnership, InterCommunity is offering a new mental health training program with a goal of engaging local officials, school staff and other members of the community. The most pressing needs include behavioral health services for young people. Recent research shows that symptoms of anxiety and depression have doubled among youth, with 25 percent reporting symptoms of depression and 20 percent reporting symptoms of anxiety. InterCommunity offers support through a children's clinic but also through seven school-based health centers. Parents struggling with a child's behavior issues receive support through the nonprofit's Child First program. Diversity is another priority for InterCommunity. "By hiring diverse staff from all backgrounds and walks of life, we represent the communities we serve," Beauregard says, noting that diversity also extends to how the nonprofit provides services. "Having multiple options available assures that people of all backgrounds can access our services when they need them. We believe that having access to quality health care is not a privilege, it's a right." That priority is reflected in the nonprofit's plans for a mobile unit that will deliver several primary and behavioral health services. "Transportation is a huge barrier to care, so this unit will allow us to meet some of the most vulnerable populations within our community right where they are," Beauregard says. Nonprofit Brings Aid to Community Members in Crisis Administrative Office: 800 Connecticut Blvd. East Hartford, CT 06108 Phone: (860) 569-5900 Website: www.intercommunityct.org Product or Service: Health Care No. of Employees: 385 Head of Company: Kim Beauregard, President & CEO Year Founded: 1977 ADVERTISEMENT

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