$100,000 in grant money has been pledged to Newtown to help the Social Services Department.  The Legislative Council has approved budget transfers to fill in the $80,000 gap for the support services.  Newtown First Selectman Pat Llodra told the Council that there will be incremental moves to have the program fully funded by the town.

A Department of Justice Grant, which funds the Recovery and Resiliency Team, ends March 31st.  The team has served 470 people.  13-percent of those individuals were not in need of services as a result of the events of 12/14.  Through mid-October, the Team has logged 780 case files, and each month brings an average of 25 new cases.

Llodra told the Legislative Council that the town has long been in need of a social worker, not just the ones serving the schools.  Two positions will be added beginning March 1st, to help with transition and to prevent a lapse in service.  The new grant will cover the positions of clinical social worker and care navigator.

Funding to continue the services will come from the Praxair Foundation and the Newtown Sandy Hook Community Foundation.  The remaining support will come from the budget.  Praxair previously provided grant funding to Newtown for this purpose. 

Llodra plans to create a board of directors or advisory board to oversee the Social Services Department.  The current Department has two staff members, a director and administrative assistant.  The department also now has the six member Recovery and Resiliency Team.  They serve as a bridge between those in need and the aid programs available.  Llodra says the range of needs in the last few years has shown the need for a professional social work position.