By Bill Slocum
Contributing Editor
As Cos Cob-based Kids In Crisis struggles to deal with a $750,000 budget shortfall after the state abruptly backed out of a service contract in September, its leader vows their work will continue.
Executive Director Sheri Shapiro credits a surge in community support with helping Kids In Crisis in its mission of providing free, round-the-clock intervention, counsel, and shelter for children from birth to age 17 across Fairfield County.
“We are really blessed to be in a community that has embraced us, and accepted Kids In Crisis as part of the fabric of the community,” she said. “That ranges from our political leadership to our legislative delegation. The local businesses have been amazing.”
According to Shapiro, 15 percent of Kids In Crisis’s annual budget was drawn from the now-defunct contract. Last week, town Police Chief James Heavey broadcast a letter expressing concern about the state decision, calling Kids In Crisis “a critical partner to the Greenwich Police Department when there is an emergency situation involving children.” (The letter is printed in full on page 6.)
Lt. Kraig Gray, police public information officer, noted his department does not have the facilities to manage troubled youth directly: “More often than not, juveniles don’t need law enforcement. They need guidance, support, help. Any program that diverts young people from the criminal-justice system provides for a positive outcome.”
At Minute Men Cleaners, at Cos Cob’s Mill Pond Shopping Center, employees sell candy and leave jars on the counter for Kids In Crisis; they raised over $400 during a Halloween fundraiser. Just across Salem Street, Caren’s Cos Cobber diner donated a portion of a day’s proceeds to the cause.
McArdle’s Florist & Garden Center on Arch Street has set aside five dollars from every Christmas wreath sold for Kids In Crisis, so far raising $2,000.
“Kids In Crisis is a great organization,” McArdle’s CEO James McArdle III says. “It fills a need no other organization fills. We consider it a great asset.”
Shapiro continues to struggle for answers about the change in state policy. The state Department of Children and Families had signed a $3 million, four-year service contract with Kids In Crisis on June 22. Less than three months later, the DCF opted out of the contract. At the time, Shapiro says, budget concerns were cited; later, the DCF claimed Kids In Crisis did not serve a recognized need in providing emergency-shelter beds for children in Fairfield County.
Shapiro says she reached out to Joette Katz, the DCF commissioner, only to be told in a written message that there was no point in the two meeting.
Shapiro describes her reaction to this as “very frustrated, very concerned. When children are at stake, there’s never a waste of time to sit and talk about what their needs are.”
According to Shapiro, a discussion with Katz need not center on the cancelled contract, or Kids In Crisis’ need for funds.
“We want to talk about how to work together and get children the services they need,” Shapiro said. “We don’t want them to stop referring because they are concerned about being charged for the services. We want to work on this change in policy and funding. We don’t want it to affect the children.”
Meanwhile, Shapiro says the beds at Kids In Crisis remain in use, despite DCF’s claim there is no need for them. At present, eight children reside at the Salem Street facility, typically staying between two to three weeks while undergoing counseling, both individually and with their families. “We’re seeing abuse, neglect, homelessness, runaways,” Shapiro said.
Meanwhile, the local outcry in support for Kids In Crisis continues. Joe Kaliko, president of Needs Clearing House, a non-profit charitable agency like Kids In Crisis, which works with other local charities, says he has been reaching out to Gov. Dannel Malloy, whom Kaliko describes as a friend, requesting intervention on the issue.
Kaliko says his own experience with Kids In Crisis began last winter, when he got a call late at night about two women and their five children found living under a bridge in Bridgeport. He reached out to Kids In Crisis after learning they operate the only shelter that takes in children, and that they could also provide counseling for the mothers.
“Not only were they able to help, they literally picked them up and brought them to the shelter,” Kaliko said.
Kaliko said he understands the state is under strict budgetary imperatives. It’s the nature of the DCF Commissioner Katz’s reply to Shapiro he finds “infuriating.”
“I don’t think Kids In Crisis has been treated fairly,” Kaliko said. “I think the stance of the DCF has only made this worse, and I don’t think they’re helping the public.”
Shapiro says the community response provides “light at the end of the tunnel.” But she remains concerned about long-term viability.
“I’m less concerned about the next six months, and more concerned about the year and two years after that,” she said. “We can’t afford not to be here for children.”
