Joe Milke, Klingberg Family Centers’ Vice President of Finance and Administration, was recently nominated for recognition as the ‘Hartford Business Journal — CFO of the Year 2011’.   Pia Brown of Ovation Benefits Group, which serves as KFC employee benefits broker, nominated Joe, based on her respect and appreciation for his great work:  “I have worked with Joe for almost two years on the employee benefit plan strategy (design and cost).  He is thoughtful and comprehensive in the application of the changes to plans in order to achieve the best balance of cost and coverage for his employees, and in staying true to the mission of Klingberg Family Centers.  Joe has guided his organization through some tough financial times due to state funding cuts, and has been instrumental in the development of a new program to help children/families with special needs.”  Always optimistic and encouraging, Joe has had the admiration of his coworkers at KFC for many years.  Now we can all celebrate with him as he is recognized throughout Greater Hartford for his tremendous contributions to Klingberg Family Centers and our cherished clients.  Congratulations Joe.

“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.”

Steven Girelli, PhD, President of Klingberg Family Centers [KFC], led a team of runners in the 2011 Malibu Fitness Farmington 5K Road Race, on Thanksgiving morning.  This was the 7^th year that Jack Banks, owner of Malibu Fitness, has organized the event as a fundraiser for the benefit of select local non-profits, and the 4^th year that KFC will be a beneficiary.  Mr. Banks estimates that the proceeds for KFC this year may be as high as $5000!

This annual event, which competes for runners with the world famous Manchester Road Race, has seen steady growth in participants in seven years, to approximately 800 runners/walkers!  Joining Dr. Girelli for the 6:45 a.m. start time at Malibu Fitness health club in Farmington were: KFC staffers Barbara Divalentino, Cheryl Fliss, Marissa Lammlin [along with her husband Dave, father Steve Robin and faithful dog Bronx], Christina Mangini [and her dad Greg], and Kathleen Woolley.  Representing our very own Park View Group Home was group-home coordinator Kevin Paquette along with three athletic residents from PVGH, each of whom finished the race in very fast times!  Rounding out the field was Dr. Girelli’s son Ari, who finished with the fastest time of all ‘Team Klingberg’ runners, crossing the finish line in approximately 21 minutes!  Congratulations to all participants and many thanks for supporting this KFC fundraiser.   Great Job!  

A heartfelt ‘Thank You Very Much’ goes out to Jack Banks and his whole team for organizing this wonderful event.  We are truly grateful for your generous support through the race and your encouragement all year long!  Your commitment to our cherished clients is making a real difference.  Thank you as well to all the participants, whose registration fee is converted into financial support for KFC and other agencies serving people in need throughout Connecticut.  Last but not least, ‘Thank You’ to meteorologist extraordinaire, Scot Haney of WFSB TV, Channel 3, who covered the race ‘on air’ again this year,  and did a live interview with Dr. Girelli after the race.   Thanks for your support Scot! 

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.

This year’s 27^th Rosalynn Carter Symposium will focus trauma and its long-term effect on children. It will be webcast live.  

The National Association of Children’s Behavioral Health (NACBH)  will be ably represented by Beth Chadwick, President and Pat Wilcox, Klingberg Family Centers Traumatic Stress Institute who will be joining an illustrious gathering of national leaders, advocates, policy makers, practitioners and researchers as they meet to bring this most pressing issue into greater focus and resolution. 

27^th annual rosalynn carter symposium on mental health Policy to cover Trauma’s long-term impact on children exposed to juvenile justice, welfare, and domestic violence 

Estimates suggest that millions of American children and adolescents experience trauma each year, through exposure to physical or sexual abuse, a life-threatening illness, natural disaster, or the loss of a loved one. Although effective treatments are available to prevent the long-term impacts of trauma on a child’s intellectual development and physical well-being, most traumatized children do not have access to these services. 

On Oct. 26-27, the invitation-only, 27th annual Rosalynn Carter Symposium on Mental Health Policy will bring together more than 200 health advocates, policy-makers, practitioners, educators and researchers from across the country to discuss ways to remove barriers to providing mental health services for children at greatest risk for trauma—especially those exposed to domestic violence, child welfare, and the juvenile justice system. 
The event is open to the media and will be webcast live on www.cartercenter.org on Oct. 26 starting at 1:00 p.m. (EDT) and on Oct. 27 starting at 8:30 a.m.

Laura Centurelli, Program Coordinator, with Christy Parker, RN in the nursing office of the Webster House.

All the children that come through the doors of Klingberg Family Centers benefit from a safe, therapeutic environment where they can heal from past trauma.  Some of these children, who struggle with health problems as well, need an even more targeted support system.

Many kids who fit this profile are living in hospitals throughout the state, but they would be better served in a residential, homelike setting.  About one year ago, the Medically Complex Unit opened here in response to a growing need throughout Connecticut for treatment of children whose emotional or behavioral health needs are compounded with “co-occurring medically complex needs.” This program, located in the Elizabeth Webster House, is the first of its kind in Connecticut. 

Laura Centurelli, LCSW is the Program Coordinator at the Webster House, which has 12 children aged 12 to 18.  She says it is similar to other residential units on campus, but with additional elements:  an around-the-clock nursing service and consultations with physicians at Yale-New Haven Hospital, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, and an on-site registered dietician.  The entire program, medical or otherwise, is individually tailored to each child. 

Though some children in the Webster House do have life-threatening conditions, the most common ailment is diabetes.  Staff are trained to provide close monitoring, helping manage blood sugar and recognizing the signs of hypo- and hyper-glycemia. 

The greatest challenge on the unit, according to Centurelli, is food.  She admits it can be difficult to balance dietary restrictions with the room kids need to be independent and make their own choices.  Kids are encouraged to research and prepare some of their own meals in the Webster House kitchen.  They also keep logs of their diet and activity.   Ultimately, Centurelli wants to see kids lead a fun, healthy life at the same time they are learning to deal with their illness. 

And they are making excellent progress.  There are rich rewards for everyone when kids take ownership, gain freedom and begin to feel at home in the Webster House.  It’s not uncommon to witness that when medical issues are resolved, behavioral issues somehow follow suit with out more intervention.  Once their health is stabilized, kids are discharged to a lower-level care setting, such as a group home, or they return to live in their original community.

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.

Erin Joudrey (far right, third row from front) with other women honored at the luncheon

The YWCA of New Britain hosted its 14th biennial Women in Leadership luncheon recently at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville. This year’s group of “Women in Leadership” included 12 honorees and six inductees into the Academy of Women Leaders.  One of this year’s honorees is Erin Joudrey, Director of Community-based Care at Klingberg Family Centers.

Erin is most deserving of recognition for her outstanding work.  She began her career at Klingberg Family Centers in 1998 working with pre-adolescent children facing behavioral health issues. Since that time she has made her mark on the lives of scores of boys and girls, earned a Masters Degree in Social Work, and taken on increasingly demanding leadership roles in the organization.

Known for her cheerful, enthusiastic spirit, Erin embraces new challenges. Her roles have included serving as Director of the Therapeutic Foster Care Program. In that capacity several years ago, she headed up a redesign of our specialized foster care and adoption services that involved participation in many statewide meetings and training staff in new models of care. Currently, Erin oversees the agency’s three group homes for teens and is working hard on opening a fourth group home. 

Erin is driven by a passion for helping young people overcome the tragic consequences of trauma and move forward to a more promising future. As she has advanced into supervisory and administrative roles, Erin appreciates the opportunity to inspire her staff to always treat children and families with genuine respect and seek to understand their unique situations. She is dedicated to hiring a diverse staff that reflects and appreciates the diversity of the clients we serve.Erin realizes that advocacy is an essential component of working with children and families who often have no voice.  Her greatest fulfillment has been witnessing the healing and restoration that takes place when abused children come to know they are loved and have tremendous value.

In keeping with her heart of compassion, Erin also enjoys volunteering for the Connecticut Humane Society.

Last weekend Mark Johnson and Peter Burk from Klingberg’s Development Office brought the Model T down to the 14th Annual Antique Vehicle Show at Mystic Seaport.  Despite the threat of rain, the vehicle fit right in at this especially picturesque show-by-the-sea.  A finishing touch came from Gwen and Parker Ackley, pictured below riding in the Model T’s back seat.  The Ackleys are antique car enthusiasts who often wear turn-of-the-century costumes to match the surrounding vehicles.  And, their willingness to get into character has brought a special nostalgic flair to Klingberg’s own Vintage Motorcar Festival more than once.  

Whether it’s at the Governor’s Mansion or a small town car show, the Connecticut Business Expo or the ribbon cutting of a bank, the Model T offers an entry point into conversation about Klingberg and a means of building connections with those who make contributions to to the agency. In the five years this car has been “working” for Klingberg, he has definitely earned his keep.

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 Antique cars draw enthusiasts to Mystic Seaport
by Jeffrey A. Johnson
from The Day, 9/26/11

14th annual show attracts more than 100 pre-1930 vehicles

Mystic – A couple inched closer to the hood of a 1927 Cadillac Model 314-A Dual Cowl Phaeton and Marlis Jacobowitz sprang from her seat.

She quickly grabbed the attention of her new audience. She explained how the shutters worked on the Cadillac’s grille. Then she divulged the back story behind the eight-cylinder, 87-horsepower automobile.

Asked what the now-pristine car looked like when she and her late husband, Edward, first got it, Jacobowitz, of Uncasville, laughed and gave an honest response.

“Decrepit. A total wreck,” she said. “You have to have a vision. My husband said, ‘This could be a good car.’”

That’s how the restoration of her jewel began. Jacobowitz spent Sunday sharing this story and others with those passing by at the 14th annual Antique Vehicle Show at Mystic Seaport.

While the threat of inclement weather kept some of the registered automobile owners from attending, organizers said more than 100 pre-1930s cars and trucks packed the grounds. And every few paces, there was a story waiting behind another vintage car.

John D. Parker III and his wife, Kim Parker, of North Stonington, stayed close to their 1921 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Tourer Sunday. A picture of the car’s original, beaten-down chassis rested nearby with a clever caption: “I still can’t believe it myself.”

Kim Parker said that her husband managed to obtain the chassis in 1970 after winning an improbable bet. The previous owner bet Parker that his wife at the time – who was blind – could not drive the car around a parking lot.

When she did so successfully, the chassis was his free of charge. That started years of restoration and obtaining various parts. The radiator came from Kenya, Kim Parker said.

On Sunday, the Rolls-Royce also emitted the distinct smell of motor oil. No surprise there. The Parkers must keep up on maintenance. The Rolls has close to 136,000 miles on it.

“People who live in the area see us driving up and down River Road,” Kim Parker said. “We love that drive. If it’s a nice day, we take it to the Stop & Shop. We do the grocery shopping.”

Organizers of the show said Sunday that some antique automobile owners traveled from as far as Maryland. Others came from throughout New England and the Northeast. Volunteer and organizer Len Parker said there is no judging at the show. Rather, the focus is on sharing stories and a fun weekend.

As is customary, the event was punctuated Sunday afternoon by the Grand Parade of Vehicles, an informal parade in which all the automobiles made their way through the Seaport’s grounds.

Prior to the parade, Don Setters, of Somerset, Mass., said he was stunned by the number of high-quality antique cars. A first-time participant, Setters traveled to the show with his 1919 Ford Model T Depot Hack on a trailer.

He said he plans to travel again to the Mystic show.

“You have the backdrop of the Seaport, with the water and the antique buildings,” Setters said. “For me, it excites all my senses.”

Patricia D. Wilcox, LCSW of Bristol, is one of six members of the National Association of Social Workers, Connecticut Chapter, to be honored June 14 at the association’s annual awards dinner in New Haven.

Wilcox will receive the 2011 Social Worker of the Year Award.

She is the vice president for strategic planning at Klingberg Family Centers in New Britain. At Klingberg she is responsible for designing new programming, maintaining a quality assurance process, consulting clinically, and contributing to sustaining trauma-informed care.  It is her work in the area of trauma treatment for youth that particularly distinguishes her.

A national leader in the area of trauma treatment for youth, especially in congregate care treatment settings that work with the most psychiatrically complex children, Wilcox has forged new paths.  At Klingberg she initiated and oversaw an organizational transformation process from a traditional, control-oriented, token economy treatment approach to one that is based on state-of-the-art knowledge about treatment of complexly traumatized children.

Wilcox is also the primary creator of the Restorative Approach, a trauma-informed alternative to traditional point-and-level systems for child congregate care treatment settings.  She has trained internationally on the Restorative Approach, has self-published a book on the subject, and is writing a book to be published by the NEARI Press.

Helping to bring the Risking Connection Training Program to Klingberg, Wilcox has established Klingberg as a national training center for RC, and has assisted 30 agencies in nine states and Canada to adopt RC as an ongoing staff training program.  A member of NASW since 1983, she has participated on the board of directors, on committees, and has presented numerous workshops at conferences.  She is a strong advocate for paying attention to the care of both clients and treatment providers and has a long history of supervising and mentoring social workers, generously sharing her expertise with those who care for children.  Service to deeply troubled children has been the central mission of her life work and she has done this work tirelessly and unselfishly in her effort to look for ways to help them heal.