What we do

We are a nonprofit, community resource committed to providing effective outpatient mental and behavioral health services to children and families in the greater Norwalk region.

Our team of board certified psychiatrists, psychologists, and clinical therapists provide evidence-based individualized and group therapies to children struggling with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, trauma-related disorders, and other mental health needs.

Our mission

To provide mental health and community wellness services that improve the health, resiliency, and quality of life of children, adults, and families.

"The true character of society is revealed in how it treats its children."
Nelson Mandela

Who we help

We serve as the safety net for families who cannot access private mental and behavioral health services for their children. Every year we provide therapy and support services to over 700 children and 1,500 family members who live in Norwalk, Westport, Weston, Wilton, Darien, New Canaan, and Stamford.

Our programs

We offer a broad range of therapeutic interventions and services including:

Individual & Family Therapy

Group Therapy

School-Based Programs

Day Programs

Home-Based Services

Community Programs

Enrichment Programs

Alice M. Forrester, PhD
Chief Executive Office
Alice Forrester, Ph.D., is the Chief Executive Officer of Clifford Beers Clinic and its affiliate - The Child Guidance Center of Mid-Fairfield County. Dr. Forrester sits on the State of Connecticut Behavioral Health Partnership Oversight Council and the Tow Youth Justice Institute Advisory Council. In 2015, Dr. Forrester was appointed by Gov. Malloy to the Sandy Hook Commission charged, in part, with offering practical solutions to prevention of youth violence. Dr. Forrester holds an M.A. from New York University in drama therapy and a Ph.D. from Fielding University in clinical psychology.

Gail Melanson, PhD
Executive Director
Dr. Melanson is a licensed psychologist who joined Med-Fairfield in 1995. She is responsible for the administration and management of all clinical and non-clinical programs at Mid-Fairfield. Dr. Melanson earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Connecticut and her master’s degree and doctorate in Applied Developmental Psychology from Fordham University in New York.

David Sasso, MD, MPH
Medical Director
Dr. Sasso is a board-certified psychiatrist and oversees all psychiatric care at Mid-Fairfield. He is fluent in Spanish and directs the bilingual program at Mid-Fairfield. He also serves as Assistant Clinical Professor at the Yale Child Study Center. Dr. Sasso received his medical and public health degrees from the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, IL. He completed his adult and child psychiatry training in the Department of Psychiatry at Yale University and the Yale Child Study Center, respectively.

Andrew Lustbader, MD, MPH
Medical Director, Prospects Extended Day Treatment Program
Dr. Lustbader has been with Mid-Fairfield since 1998 and is responsible for overseeing all psychiatric patient care at the Mid-Fairfield's Prospects Extended Day Treatment program. He earned his Medical Doctorate degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, and did his training in pediatrics, general psychiatry, and child & adolescent psychiatry at Yale-New Haven Hospital. He is a co-director of Psychopharmacology and Evaluation at the Yale Child Study Center, and works within pediatric and psychiatric groups at the State level to promote children's mental health.

Mary Alice Delagrange, LCSW
Director, Prospects Extended Day Treatment Program
Ms. Delagrange serves as the Director of Prospects Extended Day Treatment (EDT) program at Mid-Fairfield. She is a licensed clinical social worker who received her Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Relations and her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Connecticut. Ms. Delagrange has been involved in Extended Day programming for over 20 years and is a member of the Extended Day Treatment statewide training committee .

Cheryl Entwisle, MS
Director, EHR and Systems
Ms. Entwisle is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Mid-Fairfield's electronic medical records system. Ms. Entwisle has worked in the managed health care industry for over 20 years and has been employed at Mid-Fairfield since 1999. She received her bachelor's degree in psychology from Stonehill College in 1989 and master's degree in healthcare administration from the University of New Haven in 1991.

Marissa Mangone
Director, Business Development
Marissa Mangone has served as Mid-Fairfield's Director of Business Development since spring of 2014. She is responsible for the planning and implementation of all business development, fundraising, grant-related activities, and capacity and program expansion. She earned a degree in Political Science from Sacred Heart University and began her professional career in Hartford working at the State Capitol. Mrs. Mangone is a member of Norwalk ACTS Implementation Team, Social-Emotional Initiative, and the Norwalk Public Schools District Wellness Committee.

Delphine Naudine, LCSW
Clinical Director Outpatient Clinic
Ms. Naudin serves as Clinical Director of Mid-Fairfield's Children's Outpatient Clinic. She is responsible for the administration and management of outpatient programs and supervises program development, staff training, and statistical monitoring. In addition, Ms. Naudin supervises Mid-Fairfield’s Dialectical Behavior Therapy and VOCA programs. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Boston University and her Master’s degree in Social Work from Tulane University.

Jessica Rak, APRN
Associate Medical Director, Prospects Extended Day Treatment Program
Ms. Rak is a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and serves as the acting Associate Medical Director for Mid-Fairfield's PROSPECTS Extended Day Program. She also provides psychiatric support for the Dialectical Behavior Therapy Program at Mid-Fairfield. Jessica received her undergraduate degree from Cornell University and her Master's degree from Yale University.

Segundo Ruiz
Director, Operations
Mr. Ruiz is responsible for office administration, including front desk operations, scheduling, client transportation, and office equipment at Mid-Fairfield. He has over 20 years of experience in IT and Office Management. He is responsible for managing the day to day operations of all three facilities that comprise the Child Guidance Center of Mid-Fairfield County.