CHR Celebrates Ribbon Cutting and Dedication of The Rose Center in Norwich
NORWICH, Conn. – Nonprofit behavioral healthcare provider Community Health Resources (CHR) celebrated the ribbon-cutting and dedication of The Rose Center in Norwich alongside DCF Commissioner Susan Hamilton, State Senator Cathy Osten, Norwich Mayor Swarnjit Singh, local elected officials, healthcare providers, CHR’s Board of Directors, and donors and supporters of CHR.
The Rose Center is a Sub-Acute Crisis Stabilization Center for youth ages 5 to 18 who are experiencing mental health emergencies. It is the first of its kind to open in Eastern Connecticut. Funded by DCF and managed by CHR, The Rose Center was designed to address ongoing mental health crises among CT children and teens and help alleviate overcrowding in Connecticut hospitals and Emergency Departments.
When it opens this month, May of 2026, compassionate staff at The Rose Center will provide individual, family, and group therapy; psychiatric consultation and medication management; safety and stabilization support; skills development for caregivers and youth; and linkages to ongoing care. Youth can stay for 14 days or fewer, based on individual needs. All care will reflect CHR’s commitment to honor the youth and family’s voice and provide a strengths-based approach.
“We were honored to be asked by DCF to open The Rose Center, in response to the growing need across the state for more specialized care for children and teens experiencing depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and other serious mental health emergencies,” said Heather Gates, CHR’s President and CEO. “We recognize that children and teens have specialized needs and deserve a place to call their own, as they heal, recover, and prepare to go home, and move forward with their lives.”
“It takes a village. It really does take a village, and I’m honored and humbled to be a part of the rollout and these partnerships,” said Susan Hamilton, DCF Commissioner.
“Our community is blessed to have you here, and there is so much need that I see on a daily basis, so I look forward to more collaboration,” said Norwich Mayor Swarnjit Singh. “This is an inspiring project for the whole State of Connecticut.”
Renovations on the building were led by Amenta Emma Architects and Proulx Building and Remodeling. Features of The Rose Center include:
- 10 private bedrooms
- Common areas include a dining room, living room, gym, gaming room, craft room, and quiet room
- Anti-ligature, weighted furniture, selected with safety and durability in mind
Throughout eastern and central CT, CHR offers outpatient therapy and evidence-based treatments for children, teens, families and adults to successfully address a wide range of issues, including trauma, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and substance use. These models are available in CHR’s outpatient and school-based clinics. CHR also recently opened a Child Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) in East Hartford, which is designed to support youth ages 12–17 experiencing anxiety, depression, and trauma-related challenges.
Impact of Donation from Phil Tartsinis
Also presented at the celebration was a generous donation from Phil Tartsinis, loyal donor and CEO of Professional Properties of Enfield, Inc. and AMF Property Management Corp. This support is critical to the many services we provide at CHR.
About CHR: CHR is Connecticut’s most comprehensive, nonprofit behavioral healthcare agency and was the first nonprofit agency in CT to meet all of the rigorous federal criteria as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic. Known for its supportive culture, CHR has repeatedly been named among the Top Workplaces in the State and has been recognized as a Top Workplace nationally by USA Today and Newsweek. Learn more at www.chrhealth.org.
May 12, 2026
For more information, contact mmcguire@chrhealth.org.