Children’s agency A private nonprofit agency that provided vital foster care and adoptive services to more than 380 children in Hawaii last year is closing its offices in Honolulu and Hilo.
will close its doors
The Casey Family Programs
provides adoptive servicesBy Leila Fujimori
lfujimori@starbulletin.comThe announcement yesterday by Casey Family Programs comes at a time when the state faces huge cuts in its social service programs.
"At a time when we have the budget crisis, the governor has asked to cut 5 percent across the board, and looking at the Department of Human Services cutting purchase of service contracts, we can ill afford to be losing an organization that impacts the system as much as Casey Family does," said Sarah Casken, executive director of the Hawaii Foster Parent Association.
Casey is the only private organization that provides long-term foster care or adoption for abused children on a large scale, said Judy Lind, state director of the Children's Justice Center, a Judiciary program that reports child sexual abuse.
"It's a tragedy for the most vulnerable children in our state," said Lind.
"Many of Casey children were sexually abused and need a permanent home," Lind said.
The Honolulu office of Casey Family Programs currently provides case-managed services to 100 children, including those up for adoption and those under long-term foster care and guardianship.
Linda Santos, Honolulu division director, said the agency will keep both its offices open one to two years or more until it can ensure all children under its care receive good services.
Casey has already laid off 28 of its 38 employees in Honolulu and 13 of its 19 Hilo employees.
But Santos pointed out that staff was being retained to serve children already in the system.
"We'll find ways to ensure that even if we're not here, that their needs are met."
She said the agency is committed to serving the children until they reach age 18.
The agency opened in Honolulu in 1984 and in Hilo in 1989. It was established 37 years ago by Jim Casey, founder of United Parcel Service.
In yesterday's announcement the Seattle-based organization said in addition to the Hawaii divisions, it is closing eight other offices around the country.
Ruth Massinga, president and chief executive officer of Casey Family Programs, said the organization is restructuring itself to devote more of its resources to help state and national systems "that impact all foster care children -- like child welfare, education, juvenile justice, drug treatment and mental health care."
She said Casey will reduce its nationwide staff of 720 by 250 employees to cut costs, ensure longevity of the organization and better reach more of the 500,000 children in foster care.
Amy Tsark, administrator of the Child Welfare Services Branch of the Department of Human Services, said the department's 5 percent cut will translate into about $1 million.
This year, the branch must cut back on the purchase of services from private nonprofit social service agencies, which means fewer services for children and families.
Tsark estimated DHS makes about 20 referrals a year to Casey's long-term program in Honolulu.
"They offer a very excellent program," she said. "We're not going to be able to provide, to the extent that the Casey Family Programs do it. They have excellent social work staff and have a very small caseload."
Compared with the state's caseload of 2,700 children in foster care, and a total active caseload of 13,000 children in child welfare, the number Casey directly helps is small.
However, the agency shares its resources, facilities and staff with other agencies and has provided adoption services, support groups for adoptive parents and children, and mentoring -- things the state does not provide.
Casken said: "Casey Family Programs have been at the forefront for all foster parents, for adoptive families and guardianship. It was always something we could count on."
Rhonda Nichols, 34, a victim of child abuse and neglect who was personally helped by the Casey Family Programs in Washington, said, "Somebody's really going to have to step up to the plate and fill that gap."
Nichols, director of the Hawaii Foster Youth Coalition, went in and out of 11 different foster homes since she was in the third grade.
She said Casey's high-quality services and staff provided her stability and permanency, which have helped her succeed in life.
"It's not just an organization. ... A real family network is shutting down," said Nichols.
Dept. of Human Services
Casey Family Programs