The Connection

What The Connection does

The Connection Inc. is a private, Connecticut-based nonprofit human services agency founded in 1972 in Middletown by social advocates Kätchen Coley and Nancy Flanner. It operates four core service lines — Family & Child Services, Young Adult Services (ages 18-24), Adult Services (addiction, behavioral health, community justice), and Housing Services — delivered across at least eight residential facilities (Cochegan House, Eddy Center, Sierra Center Pre-Trial and Work Release, Roger Sherman House, Connection House, January Center, Women's RISE), an outpatient Center for Behavioral Health, and community-based outreach across Connecticut. The agency's clinical framework is Housing First combined with trauma-informed, culturally competent, gender-responsive, and solution-focused care, with open-access and low-barrier intake processes designed to engage clients without delay.

The primary technology stack is operational rather than digital: person-centered care delivery models, evidence-based practices, and the proprietary I-RISE leadership development framework housed within the Institute for Innovative Practice, which also runs external training (e.g., Mental Health Response Training) and consultation. There is no disclosed AI/ML tooling, no public APIs, and no consumer-facing mobile product; service delivery is human-staffed across residential, outpatient, and field locations.

Revenue mechanics are dominated by Connecticut state government contracts (Department of Correction for community justice facilities, Department of Children and Families for child welfare, plus other state-funded human services programs and federal housing grants), with supplemental income from individual donations, corporate sponsorships, the annual Community Links Golf Tournament ($200/golfer entry), and fees generated by the Institute for Innovative Practice's training and consultation arm. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and the go-to-market is referral-based via healthcare providers, social services agencies, and community organizations rather than commercial sales; the toll-free helpline (855-HELP-955) functions as the primary intake channel.

Name

The Connection

Legal name

The Connection Inc.

Website

https://theconnectioninc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Connection Inc. is a Connecticut-based nonprofit founded in 1972 that delivers statewide community-based human services — including housing, behavioral health, addiction, family support, and community justice programs — to individuals and families experiencing homelessness, mental illness, substance use, or incarceration-related challenges.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community-based Human Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities (62322), Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093)

akta.pro primary industry

Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Housing Transition & Supported Living Navigation (EDAKANAK), Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO), Interagency Coordination & Case Management (VR, DD, Medicaid Waivers) (EDAKANAM), Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)

Keywords

• Community human services
• Homeless services
• Mental health treatment
• Substance use recovery
• Housing assistance

Headquarters

HQ city

Prince Frederick

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Contracts and Grants: The majority of funding comes from government contracts with Connecticut state agencies including the Department of Correction, Department of Children and Families, and other state-funded human services programs. The agency also receives federal grants and participates in government-funded housing programs.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and special events (such as the annual golf tournament) provide supplemental funding. The Kätchen Coley Society recognizes major donors.
3. Training and Consultation Fees: The Institute for Innovative Practice generates revenue by providing professional development training, organizational consulting, and coaching services to external clients including businesses and other nonprofits.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Connection is a Connecticut-based nonprofit human services agency that provides a continuum of community-based programs addressing homelessness, mental illness, substance use disorders, and community justice rehabilitation. Services are organized into four program areas (Family & Child, Young Adult, Adult, and Housing) and delivered using trauma-informed, person-centered, Housing First models through residential facilities, outpatient clinics, and community outreach across the state. The agency also operates the Institute for Innovative Practice, which provides professional development, leadership training (I-RISE), mental health response training, and consultation to external organizations.

Product overview

The Connection operates as a statewide community-based human services agency with a portfolio of interconnected programs organized around four service lines: Family & Child Services, Young Adult Services, Adult Services, and Housing Services. The agency follows a Housing First philosophy and delivers services using trauma-informed, culturally competent, gender-responsive approaches. The Institute for Innovative Practice serves as the professional development arm, offering leadership training (including the I-RISE program), mental health response training, and consultation services to external organizations. The Center for Behavioral Health provides outpatient mental health and addiction services through an open access model.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Institute for Innovative Practice: The Connection's Institute for Innovative Practice provides professional development and essential skills training to staff and emerging leaders. Customized organizational training provides innovative solutions to address today's complex workforce development needs. All trainings are rooted in culturally competent, gender responsive and trauma-informed care.

Products and services

• Family & Child Services

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Middlesex United WaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMiddlesex United Way is listed as a key partner/donor of The Connection, contributing to solving complex community problems. United Way affiliations typically involve funding support, collaborative community initiatives, and shared mission alignment for human services delivery.
• The WheelercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Wheeler is displayed as a partner organization, suggesting collaborative relationship in providing human services or community support in Connecticut.
• State of Connecticut Department of CorrectioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Connection operates community justice facilities (pre-trial, work release) under contract with the CT Department of Correction. The agency participates in PREA reporting and compliance efforts with DOC.
• Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual ViolenceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a third-party resource for reporting PREA allegations. The Alliance provides sexual violence victim services and is a referral resource for The Connection's PREA compliance program.
• Lyman Orchards Golf ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHost venue for The Connection's 9th Annual Community Links Golf Tournament, providing a location for fundraising event that supports agency programs.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• The Center for Human Development (CHD): Western Massachusetts human services nonprofit offering behavioral health, foster care, and residential programs; comparable model in an adjacent geography.
• Gandara Center: Massachusetts nonprofit delivering behavioral health, addiction, and housing services with culturally responsive care, comparable to The Connection but serving a different state.

Direct peers

• Community Health Resources (CHR): Statewide Connecticut behavioral health and human services nonprofit offering mental health, addiction, and housing programs, directly overlapping The Connection's continuum of care.
• Columbus House: Connecticut nonprofit focused on homelessness with emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, and supportive housing using a Housing First approach mirroring The Connection's Housing Services.
• InterCommunity Health Care: Connecticut nonprofit integrating behavioral health, addiction recovery, and primary care with supportive housing, serving a comparable client base under similar public funding.
• Rushford (Hartford HealthCare): Central Connecticut provider of addiction and behavioral health treatment across outpatient and residential settings, directly comparable to The Connection's Adult Services.
• Wheeler Clinic (Wheeler): Connecticut nonprofit providing behavioral health, addiction, primary care, and family services under state contracts; listed as a partner and competes for the same funders and clients as The Connection.

Others

• Community Solutions: National nonprofit focused on ending homelessness through data-driven Housing First initiatives; thematically related but works through systems change rather than direct-service delivery.

Broad incumbents

• Volunteers of America: National human services nonprofit providing housing, reentry, addiction, and family services across many states; overlaps The Connection's mission at far larger scale.

Emerging players

• Journey Home: Greater Hartford nonprofit coordinating housing and services to end homelessness, overlapping The Connection's housing and coordination mission on a narrower scope.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/theconnectioncc
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheConnectionCT
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-connection-inc

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Connection