Madison Youth & Family Services

09/11/2026

Honoring a Legacy: Reflections on Community Prevention

This weeks spotlight is written by MYFS Director, Scott Cochran

This week, several MYFS staff members attended the Connecticut Prevention Summit in Hartford. A highlight of the event was the posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award presented to our former colleague and friend, Catherine Barden, which was accepted by her husband before an audience of over two hundred people. Catherine’s profound influence on prevention spanned her entire life, beginning in her teens with liquor store compliance checks and testimony at the State Capitol. Throughout her professional career, she launched countless education campaigns and inspired both youth and adults to actively contribute to community wellness. Her legacy is marked by the countless lives she improved through her tireless dedication.

The five of us in attendance spent the day absorbing insights from keynote speakers and training sessions. There was a unique energy in the room, grounded in the work so closely tied to Catherine, who dedicated 13 years of her career to MYFS. Each of us channeled her spirit—her passion, intellect, humility, humanity, and even her humor. We left feeling energized and renewed in our commitment to our mission.

Drug and alcohol prevention efforts in Connecticut are vital for fostering healthy youth development and addressing critical public health challenges, including rising substance use and its connection to adolescent anxiety, depression, and impulsive behavior. These initiatives serve as an essential protective shield, curbing physical harm from ni****ne and substance exposure while reducing dangerous behaviors like impaired driving. Madison possesses strong protective factors, including a healthy natural environment, excellent schools, robust extracurricular programs, engaged adults, civic organizations, strong faith communities, and an active municipal government. While one might hope these advantages are enough to keep our youth safe, the threat of substance abuse remains constant and targeted—acting like arrows designed to reach their mark regardless of background.

At MYFS, our ongoing challenge is operating with limited resources and capacity in the face of widespread risks. Regardless of personal views on the legalization of cannabis and proliferation of on-line gaming and gambling, one clear outcome has been an influx of messaging aimed at youth, accompanied by increased access. Over time, this constant exposure risks desensitizing adults as well. Now more than ever, Madison needs heightened awareness, education, and focused efforts to understand local trends. MYFS is doubling down on its commitment by raising awareness, engaging with youth and adults to define key challenges, and building partnerships with like-minded stakeholders to drive greater impact.

To our dear Catherine: know that we are carrying your work forward—remaining intentional, informed, targeted, and organized as we build connections and collaborate across the community.

08/28/2026

This week's spotlight is written by MYFS Assistant Director in charge of community support, Justin Zeigler.

Every year, around October, the phone would ring at our house. My mother would answer the phone and the conversation was usually brief. When it was done, my mom would pry me away from the TV and let me know that my grandmother had called and my annual trip to my grandparents’ house to rake leaves was happening that weekend.

It might sound strange, but I LOVED that weekend. I felt like I was needed. I felt like I was a valuable part of my family and my community. And yes…the trip to Dairy Queen when we were finished certainly helped!

Fall is just around the corner, and we’re looking for a few good neighbors to help local seniors get their yards ready for the season. Madison Youth and Family Services (MYFS) is hosting our Second Annual Fall Volunteer Event, and we’d love for your family to be part of it!

On October 24, families (with kids of all ages) will be paired with a Madison senior who could use a little extra help getting their yard ready for fall. Together, families will spend the morning doing simple yard work like raking, trimming, and bagging leaves. We’re looking for eight family groups, and each group should include at least one adult—a parent, caregiver, or other trusted adult—to lead the crew. Note: Family can be “friend family”...as long as an adult is present!

The goal is to spend no more than two hours volunteering, depending on the size of the yard. And if 9:00 a.m. doesn’t work for your family, that’s okay! We can adjust the timing as long as it works for the senior you’re paired with.

For me, this event is about more than raking leaves. It’s about giving kids the opportunity to experience what I felt as a middle school student—that feeling of being needed, contributing to your family, and knowing that your time and effort can make someone else’s day a little easier.

If your family is looking for a simple way to spend a fall morning together while making a difference for a neighbor, we’d love to have you join us. We’re looking for eight families, so don’t wait! To sign up, email Justin at [email protected].

08/27/2026

08/04/2026

Madison Youth and Family Services would like to express our deepest gratitude for the Madison Senior Center Staff and Seniors and all that they have done to accommodate our summer programs. The Madison Senior Center staff went above and beyond to provide us with welcoming and flexible spaces for our Elementary Social Skills Summer Camp. Our MYFS staff appreciated the warm smiles and kind greetings from the Seniors who were also attending their activities. While MYFS always values this partnership, we particularly want to highlight the meaningful multi-generational connections built this summer. Thank you, Madison Senior Center, for your ongoing support and community spirit.

07/17/2026

The Freedom to Make Good Choices

This week’s spotlight is written by our Assistant Director in charge of Community Support, Justin Zeigler.

Something I love about living in Madison is the freedom that our young people have. Groups of kids on bikes, friends grabbing a snack at Cumby’s, or laughing (sometimes a little too loudly) at the library.

Early adolescence is a critical time for young people to begin making decisions for themselves. Whether it's choosing friends, managing their time, handling a little money, or deciding how to spend an afternoon, these everyday experiences build confidence and judgment. They learn that their choices have consequences and that they are capable of navigating challenges without an adult directing every step.

In many ways, this is why my family moved to Madison. We wanted our children to experience the kind of childhood I was fortunate enough to have—a place where it is safe to ride your bike, explore your community, and gain confidence through increasing independence.

As adults we want young people to have opportunities to explore, learn, and grow while also helping them avoid risks that can have lasting consequences. One of those risks is underage alcohol use. Research from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) shows that during June and July, more than 11,000 young people try alcohol for the first time each day, compared with an average of 5,000 to 8,000 per day during the rest of the year. There are likely many reasons for this seasonal increase, including more free time, less structured schedules, and greater independence during the summer months.

So, what do we do with this information? How do we give adolescents the freedom they need to grow while also helping them stay safe?

One of the most important things we can do is have clear, ongoing conversations about expectations. What are your family's values around alcohol and other risky behaviors (like gambling, drugs, sexual behavior)? What responsibilities come with greater freedom? How can your child handle situations where they may feel pressured to make choices that don't align with their values?

As adults, our role isn't to eliminate every risk our children might encounter—it's to prepare them to navigate those risks with confidence and good judgment. The goal isn't simply to tell them "don't drink," but to help them develop the skills to make healthy choices when no adult is present. Conversations about alcohol (and other risky behaviors) work best when they are ongoing, honest, and rooted in trust rather than fear.

The same freedom that allows a young person to ride their bike across town, spend an afternoon with friends, or explore their community can also become an opportunity to practice responsibility. When we pair independence with guidance, support, and open communication, we help young people develop the skills they need not only to stay safe today, but to thrive as adults tomorrow.

07/16/2026

Come see us tomorrow in front of MYFS at 10 School Street from 9-11am. Get some baked goods from us to support Senior Center Bingo, then grab a coffee from Camper Coffee. Win, win for all!

07/16/2026

MYFS Community Service Food Drive today at Stop & Shop from 3-5pm. All food and money donations collected support the Madison Food Pantry. Please note new updated list of items needed. Hope to see you there!

07/15/2026

MYFS Community Service Food Drive tomorrow at Stop & Shop from 3-5pm. All food and money donations collected support the Madison Food Pantry. Hope to see you there!

07/15/2026

The Madison Senior Center will be open as a Cooling Center today (07/14) through Thursday (07/16) from 8:30AM-8:00PM.

07/14/2026

Today's the day! Come see us at the Madison Senior Center this afternoon from 2:30-4:30pm. By donation.