Submitted by Laura Shipman
(May 19, 2022) — Spring brings change to the outside world as the leaves unfurl and flowers bloom. The anticipation of a new fiscal year brings changes to Youth and Family Services of Haddam-Killingworth starting July 1st. We appreciate the support of both Haddam and Killingworth, especially as the demand for our services grows as surely as the plants outside. Over the past two years, we have seen a 60% increase in families requesting counseling services, an 87% increase in requests for holiday giving, and a 150% increase in the need for school supplies. If you wish to help meet those needs, we welcome your tax-deductible donation as a 501(c)3 organization. Our core agency budget is funded approximately 60% by both towns; the rest must be generated by donations, grants and clinical revenue. Our clinical services are provided on a sliding pay scale so that everyone can afford help.
This past year we used agency reserves to employ Francesca LaFountain as a second full-time clinical therapist. The pandemic has been a trying time and we saw the need for additional mental health support. Franny was a wonderful contributor to the agency, first as a prevention coordinator and currently as a therapist. Unfortunately, the past year has shown our agency is unable to sustain this position given our current funding. We are deeply saddened to be losing Franny, but we know that she will continue to bloom wherever she works. Franny’s current last day is June 30th.
Our Clinical Director, Katy Clarke, will be leaving after three years. Katy has helped guide the agency through the pandemic and the current mental health crisis, and we are sorry to lose her. We wish Katy the best and know she will continue to support other communities. Katy will be leaving us on May 27th. If you are interested in the position of Clinical Director, please send your resume and cover letter to executivesearchhkyfs@gmail.com.
We are thrilled to announce that after joining us in November, our Prevention Coordinator Ben Eaves has risen to the challenge of the Prevention in Connecticut Communities Part 1 Grant and this program has been renewed for two more years. This means that the agency will have Prevention in Connecticut Communities Part 2, focusing on the implementation of the strategies he developed. Ben has been very active in the community. He works with the student groups Ignite (at HKHS) and Spark (at HKMS) and led a very successful “Drug Take Back Day” on April 23rd and April 30th. We are excited his journey with us will continue and invite you to congratulate him if you see him around town. Please visit our website: https://hkyfs.org/ to learn more about the prevention aspect of our agency and about upcoming programs.
