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JUNIOR REPUBLIC TO PROCEED WITH NEW RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM IN LITCHFIELD |
Litchfield – John F. Boyd, Executive Director of the Connecticut Junior Republic (CJR), announced today that the organization will be moving forward with a contract to provide a short-term residential program for young men on its Litchfield campus. The contract was awarded to the Junior Republic in July of 2009, but was delayed due to state funding reductions. Funds to implement the program were recently made available, and CJR will be providing the new residential program for the Court Support Services Division (CSSD) of the Connecticut Judicial Branch. The new eight-bed residential program for court-referred boys is anticipated to begin this autumn. “The Connecticut Junior Republic has planned for this program since the contract was awarded last July, and we have completely renovated Roberts Cottage for this purpose,” stated Mr. Boyd. He noted that the new program requires the hiring and training of staff before any youths can be accepted into the new program. “We are in the process of recruiting staff for the program now and hope to welcome our first young men in early fall,” he said. “It is very important to our Board and staff that all CJR programs are consistent with the organization’s mission to provide care, treatment, education and family services that help young people become productive and contributing members of their communities,” stated Connecticut Junior Republic President Anne J. Fitzgerald. “The new program we will be providing for the Judicial Branch fulfills this mission and will provide critical services for young people from throughout Connecticut on our Litchfield campus,” she said. Mr. Boyd indicated that CJR’s new residential program will provide a full complement of treatment, education, and recreational programs. All services will be “evidenced based” and “family focused.” The Judicial Branch will conduct comprehensive evaluations and risk assessments on all youth prior to placement. Only adolescents who have been deemed appropriate for CJR’s open setting on the Litchfield campus will be placed in the new program. In announcing plans for the new program, Mr. Boyd stated that CJR is very pleased to be able to proceed in implementing the contract awarded by the Judicial Branch in 2009. “We look forward to working with the Judicial Branch in providing these much-needed services,” he stated. The Connecticut Junior Republic has a long history of providing community-based and residential services for children, youth and families in partnership with the Judicial Branch. “CJR currently provides a broad spectrum of programs for children and families in the Greater Waterbury, Danbury and Torrington areas in partnership with CSSD, and we have worked successfully together for many years to address the needs of at-risk Connecticut boys and girls and their families,” he continued. The programs CJR provides for the Judicial Branch range from early intervention and prevention services to intensive in-home therapy for youth and families, and residential care. The Connecticut Junior Republic also conducts special, vocational and alternative education programs for boys on its Litchfield campus through the Cable Academic and Vocational Education Center. Transition and related services are also provided. Mr. Boyd noted that he expects the education program to continue to grow. “Since expanding our education services a year ago, we have grown to an enrollment of nearly 40 students and have served boys referred from more than 25 towns and school districts in five of Connecticut’s eight counties,” he stated. Founded in 1904, the Connecticut Junior Republic (CJR) has provided residential and community-based care, treatment and education for and at-risk and special needs young people for more than 100 years. Today, the organization’s combined programs serve approximately 1,000 boys and girls from communities throughout Connecticut. CJR operates group homes for boys in East Hartford and Winchester, a short-term residential program for girls from throughout Connecticut in Waterbury, and community-based programs serving boys and girls in the Danbury, Torrington/Northwest Connecticut and Greater Waterbury regions. A private charitable organization, the Connecticut Junior Republic is accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA), and a candidate for accreditation by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). CJR is supported by contributions from individuals, businesses and organizations, and through services funded by the Court Support Services Division (CSSD) of the Connecticut Judicial Branch, the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF), the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS), and by Connecticut’s public schools. For further information, please contact Hedy Barton, Director of Development and Public Relations (860) 567-9423, Ext. 252; or by email: hbarton@cjryouth.org.
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