8 months ago
FAIRFIELD (AP) -- The Good Will-Hinckley Homes for Boys & Girls in Fairfield is shutting down its on-campus housing. Good Will-Hinckley, founded in 1889, has a long history of providing housing, schooling and counseling for troubled youths from Maine and other states. Chief Executive Officer Neil Colan said that 110 employees will be laid off and the 46 students who reside on campus will either go home or be transferred to other program when the changes take place September. 1. Colan said the organization has struggled with the economic downturn and policy changes by state and federal agencies to cut reimbursement rates for residential care programs. But the school's special education program for day students will continue. In fact, says Development Director Ave Vinick, the school hopes to work with the Department of Education to expand that program. "Its a tough decision," says Vinick, "and I know we all hated to see this happen but it really was a question of making the right decision at the right time in order to have some resources available to rebuild for the future." Vinick says the school will spend the next six months working on a strategic plan for the future. He also says that some day they hope to reopen the residential program.
