The Connecticut Junior Republic announces plans to provide residential program for young men on its Litchfield Campus
The Connecticut Junior Republic has announced it will be moving forward with plans 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 start 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 at the end of the month.
“The previous program was funded through the Department of Children and Families, but we were forced to close in 2009,” Director of Development Hedy Barton said. “We haven’t begun to receive our referrals yet, but we will soon. The program should be up and running by the end of October.”
“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,” Executive Director of the Connecticut Junior Republic John Boyd said in a written statement.
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. The CJR 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. Boyd noted that he expects the education program to continue to grow.
Barton stated that there are day students at the campus already, and CJR has been approved for up to about 56 students both involved in the day school and the residential program. “Our educational program has been expanding over the last few years and we hope to include the eight young men into the program along with the residential students,” Barton said. While the day students are referred by different school system’s from around the area, Barton said the residential students, young men who are about 17 years old, are referred by the court system.
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, and the northwest and Greater Waterbury regions.
Mike Agogliati
8 October 2010
http://www.registercitizen.com/articles/2010/10/08/news/doc4cae9b87a13ac043778174.txt
