We are pleased the Olive Garden at Corbins Corner in West Hartford invited us to apply for the grant in support of vocational education and training programs for students at Raymond Hill School (RHS).  In addition to a standard curriculum, RHS offers vocational electives to engage students in the education process. Our goal is to strengthen the connection between academics, work-related skills and pursuing post-secondary education. Our vocational education components produce either a service or product to be sold, and are based on a profit sharing concept. They include: Culinary/Food service training; Woodworking and furniture refinishing; Marketing/Retail management, Graphic Design and Information Technology. Engaging and sustaining student interest in active learning based on a Youth Business Model fosters the development of self-esteem, a sense of accomplishment, work ethic and teamwork. Students also receive instruction in life skills training, including resume writing, interviewing, self-assessment, business etiquette, goal setting and professional communication.

Pamela C. Nichols, Senior Vice President – Wells Fargo Advisors and Mark H Johnson-Vice President -Klingberg

Hartford, Conn. – January, 2012 – The Klingberg Family Centers has received $10,500 from the Wells Fargo Advisors’ Investing in Our Communities initiative and donations from the Hartford Complex of Wells Fargo Advisors. The check was presented on December 19 by Pamela C. Nichols, Senior Vice President – Hartford Complex Manager.

The grant will be used to establish the ongoing Wells Fargo Advisors Fund, allowing the Hartford Complex to help support more than 300 families with a range of programs, including residential treatment, a special education school, family preservation and reunification services, and a parent aide program.

“Our initial effort was to brighten the homes of some of the neediest families in Hartford with basic essentials, as well as provide meals for children who miss their usual school meals during the holidays,” said Nichols. In addition to the grant, team members of the Wells Fargo Advisors Hartford Complex adopted several families, raising additional funds and donating items such as cribs, beds, clothing, and holiday gifts from the families’ wish lists.

“Wells Fargo Advisors is proud to support Klingberg Family Centers in their mission to provide hope and healing to children and families affected by abuse,” said Nichols. “We are very excited to make a dramatic impact on 11 families in the Hartford area who are currently receiving support and services from Klingberg Family Centers this holiday season.

“We appreciate Wells Fargo Advisors’ generous donation,” said Mark Johnson, Vice President of Development for the Klingberg Family Centers. “Their generosity has helped us provide much needed essentials for our families, including beds, clothing, heaters, food, gas and more. We look forward to a long partnership with Wells Fargo in helping the neediest children and families in our community”.

“Youngsters involved with this Department deserve every chance to experience a normal childhood with a family that loves and cares for them,” Commissioner Katz said. “We have been moving in the right direction, and Klingberg is going to be instrumental in accelerating that movement.” In June 2011, 1,433 youngsters received care in congregate settings within and outside of Connecticut — 28 percent fewer than in 2004. In addition, the number of children six and under in congregate care has fallen to 10 in December 2011 compared to 38 in January, when Commissioner Katz took office. The number of children age 12 and under in congregate care has fallen to 123 in December compared to 201 in January. Reducing the use of congregate care for these younger populations was made a special point of emphasis by Commissioner Katz following the Congregate Care report. “Despite these indicators of progress, too many children and youth are not growing up with family and community ties,” Commissioner Katz said.

Klingberg Family Centers President/CEO Steven A. Girelli, Ph.D. said the private, nonprofit provider shares the same goals. “We fully agree that, whenever possible, children experiencing behavioral health issues are best served in a family setting bolstered by in-home and community-based services.  Over the past 20 years, Klingberg Family Centers has developed a full continuum of in-home, outpatient, foster care and community-based programs to address issues ranging from moderate family problems to serious behavioral health needs and traumatization.”

As part of this plan, Klingberg Family Centers will reduce the number of congregate treatment beds from 68 to 26 at its main campus in New Britain. This will enable Klingberg family Centers to redirect its attention to expanding its network of foster homes, family support services, and day treatment and educational programs at the same time as DCF continues its efforts to shift state spending on behalf of children to community based services. Planning is underway to provide alternative care settings for 30 youths who have been residents at the treatment facility. DCF and Klingberg Family Centers have been working closely to plan and implement the next phase of care and treatment for each of these children. It is expected that the majority, consistent with existing discharge plans, will return to family homes with specialized in-home support services to be arranged as necessary by DCF or Klingberg.

Klingberg Family Centers acknowledged that these changes will be disruptive for its employees. It hopes to retain staff, whenever possible, and transfer them to positions being created in new programs. The agency has invested in considerable training of its staff members and values their expertise, dedication, and commitment to working with children with special needs and their families.

Founded in 1903, Klingberg Family Centers originally served as a “substitute home” for children who were orphaned, abandoned or whose families were unable to care for them due to economic, social or medical hardships. During the orphanage era, many of these children spent their entire childhood at the Klingberg “Children’s Home,” as it was then known.  In 1968, the organization made the transition into a treatment center for children and families.  For decades, it has been providing a range of services beyond residential treatment to children and families across Connecticut. In1988, it was the first agency to bring the “Home-Builders Model” to Connecticut. This approach, which is designed to work with families in their own homes to strengthen parenting skills and prevent the unnecessary removal of children, effectively anticipated the formal state policies that are now being implemented by DCF.

DCF and Klingberg Family Centers have worked in partnership since the state agency was formed in 1969. Commissioner Katz underscored the importance of this relationship. “Throughout the decades of shifting state and national priorities about the best approaches to care for and treat children, the two organizations have enjoyed a productive and mutually respectful relationship that has been guided by a consistent focus on the well being of the children in our care,” Commissioner Katz said. “I expect we will continue to build on this collaborative spirit as we embark on this important set of improvements to Connecticut’s system of services to children and families.”

NEW BRITAIN — After the school bell rings and students are dismissed, programs funded by the American Savings Foundation will help give New Britain children a place to have fun while making learning a priority.

The foundation’s board of directors has approved $820,000 in grants to local organizations, including $470,400 in grants for after-school programs.

The foundation funds after-school programs with the objective of supporting student learning, providing help for working families and keeping kids safe.

Most of these programs start this week.

“The foundation is very proud of its efforts in connection with after-school programs, particularly at the beginning of each new school year,” Harry Mazadoorian, chairman of the American Savings Foundation’s board of directors, said in a prepared statement.

Mazadoorian said studies show that on school days, 3 to 6 p.m. is the peak time for teens to commit crimes or to become victims of crime. For working families this is when unsupervised children experiment with drugs and alcohol. Children who participate regularly in after-school programs show better school attendance and behavior, which lead to better grades and higher graduation rates, he said. 

Grants approved at the foundation’s September board meeting include $42,900 for the Smart Girls Program at the New Britain Boys and Girls Club; $7,500 for the Queen Ann Nzinga Center arts program; $104,000 for after-school programs run by New Britain Parks and Recreation Department; $53,000 for Klingberg Family Center’s after-school program; $55,000 for the Hardware City Bike Program on Arch Street; $106,000 for Opportunities Industrialization Center’s Moving Mountains-Sullivan Academy; and $102,000 for YWCA’s STRIVE program for girls.

“After school programs provide fun and challenging activities that keep kids coming back,” foundation President and CEO David Davison said.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal visited Klingberg Family Centers to meet with Klingberg President Steve Girelli and tour several programs. The main purpose of his visit was to see the fine work we do, especially the Webster House, which relates to his interest in the interface between physical health and mental health. The Senator spent a great deal of time talking with the adolescent residents in the program and was very eagerly and warmly received by them.

The Senator also toured the Raymond Hill School where he spent a considerable amount of time focusing on the vocational programs, which help prepare our students for independence and for employment and ongoing contributions to society.

Klingberg has had multiple and productive meetings with members of Senator Blumenthal’s education staff and behavioral health staff in the DC office. Since he has assumed office, the Senator’s staffs, both here and in Washington, have been very interested in and supportive of the work we do.

The Senator indicated that he is interested in returning to Klingberg to spend more time and to visit our other programs.