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:
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We will provide innovative and impactful services, education, support, and outreach to our community.
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We will advocate for and educate our community about the mental health needs and services available.
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We will be a leader in substance abuse prevention and responsible decision-making.
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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
Patty Coletti
HK Mentor Program Coordinator
Patty Coletti
HK Mentor Program Coordinator
Michelle O’Connor-Sidlow
Event Coordinator
Michelle O’Connor-Sidlow
Event Coordinator
Alli Behnke
Director of Mental Health and Prevention
Kerry Holmes
Bookkeeper
860-345-7498
Kerry Holmes
Bookkeeper
Kyana Anderson
Prevention Coordinator & Youth Program Coordinator
860-345-7498
Kyana Anderson
Prevention Coordinator & Youth Program Coordinator
Denise Grodzicki
Contract Clinician
860-345-7498
Denise Grodzicki
Contract Clinician
Faith Sprigg
Positive Youth Development Coordinator
Faith Sprigg
Positive Youth Development Coordinator
Jennifer Favalora
Director of Operations
860-345-7498
Jennifer Favalora
Director of Operations
Scott Erskine
Board Member, Killingworth
Scott Erskine
Board Member, Killingworth
Lauren Perley
Board Member, Killingworth
Lauren Perley
Board Member, Killingworth
Jane Baird
Chair, Haddam
Jane Baird
Chair, Haddam
Heather Pach
Vice Chair, Haddam
Heather Pach
Vice Chair, Haddam
Kerry Emerson
Treasurer, Killingworth
Kerry Emerson
Treasurer, Killingworth
Marc Adelberg
Board Member, Haddam
Marc Adelberg
Board Member, Haddam
Louise Hayash
Member, Killingworth
Louise Hayash
Member, Killingworth
Kim Kelly
Secretary, Haddam
Kim Kelly
Secretary, Haddam
Gretchen Spector
Board Member, Haddam
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.