NEON Responds to CT Dept. of Social Services Statement

Norwalk Economic Opportunity Now Incorporated (NEON) Board chairman, Mike Berkoff, welcomed the Department of Social Services statement on Friday, which NEON described in a release as a reassurance of their intention to provide the anti-poverty agency with support in the form of resources and technical assistance to address long-standing deficiencies that have existed within the agency for a decade or more as well as the major unanticipated expenses incurred during the merger with Stamford’s troubled CTE.  

NEON’s board of directors, working with the agency’s management team, are implementing plans for the consolidation and elimination of programs and services made necessary by financial constraints, according to NEON's release. The plans aim  to maintain and improve NEON's vital services to the children, families and individuals they serve.

NEON said that employees will be reporting to work as normally scheduled on Tuesday, October 15th, after the Columbus Day holiday, though, due to necessary cost cutting measures, 48 employees were placed on a reduced work schedule on Friday, October 11th, with work weeks decreased from five to four days.

“As this is a delicate time in our history, NEON is determined to ensure that the taxpayers of the communities we serve remain our prime focus," NEON’s Acting CEO and President Chiquita Stephenson said in the release, adding, "We are grateful for the support and technical assistance provided by Commissioner Bremby and the Department of Social Services and we will continue to work with community residents, staff, volunteers and leaders to move forward.” 

NEON will soon be releasing a detailed response to Friday's CT Department of Correction announcement. 

NEON serves vulnerable families in lower Fairfield County and operates numerous services and programs in the areas of early childhood development; adult and youth employment and training; energy assistance; neighborhood community centers; wealth and asset development; after-school activities; family services; community corrections and substance abuse residential services.