OLR Report 2014-R-0215 answers the question:
On what factors did the Department of Children and Families (DCF) base its decision to close five therapeutic group homes? How many children will be affected? How were the families of those children notified? Where will the children go when the homes close?
In keeping with the department’s goal of reducing reliance on congregate care placement, DCF is in the process of closing five therapeutic group homes and one short term assessment and respite (STAR) home. The department based its decision to close the group homes on several criteria, including geographic need and occupancy rate (see below). The homes have a total licensed bed capacity of 33, but as of August 4, 2014, only 19 of the beds were filled. The homes may remain open until August 31, 2014. The affected children’s families were notified of the closures by the children’s DCF case workers.
According to DCF, “individual transition plans have been developed by the DCF workers responsible for the 19 children that were placed in these homes. Some of the youth will move to other group homes, some may transition to adult services in [the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services] or [the Department of Developmental Services] and others may return home with community services.”
According to DCF, the (1) closures will save $4.6 million next fiscal year and $5.5 million the year after that and (2) reductions are part of the budget adjustments enacted by the General Assembly during the 2014 session. DCF also notes that the programs are grant funded, which means that they receive funding regardless of census.
For more information, read the full report.
