We are a team that believes
anything is possible.

As the coordinating unit of community-based services for youth and families in Haddam and Killingworth, we’ve seen there are no limits to what can be accomplished when we all work together to advance for the common good.

Our Purpose

About 50 years ago, municipalities in Connecticut began creating Youth Service Bureaus (YSBs) to address growing youth problems, including crime, family crises, school truancy, and substance abuse. In 1975 Public Act No. 75-487 established YSBs as a permanent part of the service delivery system for youth and families within what is now the Department of Children and Families (DCF).

Since then, YSBs such as ours have been asked to play a growing role in the community. This includes providing positive youth development, bullying prevention, and mentoring programs, as well as acting as a Juvenile Review Board that gives young offenders the opportunity to make things right without going to Juvenile Court. We act as a service bridge among families, police departments, school systems, human service departments, mental health delivery systems, and the DCF.

Vision & Core Values

HKYFS Vision

We envision a connected community where youth and families are resilient, and feel safe, supported, and empowered.

 

 

HKYFS Core Values

To fulfill our vision, we commit to the following:

  • We will provide innovative and impactful services, education, support, and outreach to our community.

  • We will advocate for and educate our community about the mental health needs and services available.

  • We will be a leader in substance abuse prevention and responsible decision-making.

  • We will connect our community by maintaining a presence and collaborating with local partners.

Our Team

Our staff has years of experience in community support and is backed by a hard-working Board of Directors.
Please feel free to contact any of us to find out more about getting help—or helping us provide it.

Staff

Board

Patti Coletti

Patty Coletti

HK Mentor Program Coordinator
X
Patti Coletti

Patty Coletti

HK Mentor Program Coordinator

Michelle O’Connor-Sidlow

Event Coordinator
X

Michelle O’Connor-Sidlow

Event Coordinator

Alli Behnke

Director of Mental Health and Prevention
X
860-345-7498

Alli Behnke

Director of Mental Health and Prevention

Kerry Holmes

Bookkeeper
X
860-345-7498

Kerry Holmes

Bookkeeper

Kyana Anderson

Prevention Coordinator & Youth Program Coordinator
X
860-345-7498

Kyana Anderson

Prevention Coordinator & Youth Program Coordinator

Denise Grodzicki

Contract Clinician
X
860-345-7498

Denise Grodzicki

Contract Clinician

Faith Sprigg

Positive Youth Development Coordinator
X

Faith Sprigg

Positive Youth Development Coordinator

Jennifer Favalora

Director of Operations
X
860-345-7498

Jennifer Favalora

Director of Operations

Scott Erskine

Board Member, Killingworth
X

Scott Erskine

Board Member, Killingworth

Lauren Perley

Board Member, Killingworth
X

Lauren Perley

Board Member, Killingworth

Jane Baird

Chair, Haddam
X

Jane Baird

Chair, Haddam

Heather Pach

Vice Chair, Haddam
X

Heather Pach

Vice Chair, Haddam

Kerry Emerson

Treasurer, Killingworth
X

Kerry Emerson

Treasurer, Killingworth

Marc Adelberg

Board Member, Haddam
X

Marc Adelberg

Board Member, Haddam

Louise Hayash

Member, Killingworth
X

Louise Hayash

Member, Killingworth

Kim Kelly

Secretary, Haddam
X

Kim Kelly

Secretary, Haddam

Gretchen Spector

Board Member, Haddam
X

Gretchen Spector

Board Member, Haddam

Our Impact

6,522

We established 25 new partnerships to support 53 unique programs for youth, parents, and the community, with a total attendance of 6,522 participants.

104

104 HK families requested to be a part of the holiday giving program.

150%

We have seen a 42% increase in local families requesting school supplies.

We’re Proud to Work
with Incredible Partners