The value of a local presence

Recently we shared a statewide composite of New York’s Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (CCR&Rs). It a great by-the-numbers look at what CCR&Rs are doing in their communities. There is no doubt that they are hard at work providing a wide range of services to families, providers and early educators. Sometimes, however, the real measure of what CCR&Rs do for their communities cannot be expressed in a chart or graph. This story from Bruce Stewart, executive director of St. Lawrence Child Care Council, is an example of one of those times:

As I walked out of our office at the end of the day yesterday one staff member was still at her desk.  Connie Neuroth is our Community Education Coordinator.  She was waiting for her husband, Tim, to meet her and was going to keep working until he arrived.  We said our goodbyes and I headed for home.  As I walked in the door this morning Connie was at her desk and it was clear she was on a serious telephone call.  As I waited to see what was going on another staff member informed me that she was speaking with the folks at the mandated reporter hotline.

You see, when her husband arrived to pick her up at about 6pm he parked on the street outside our front door - - instead of in the parking lot behind the office where employees always park.  When he got out of the car a young girl [12 yrs old] was walking down the street visibly upset and asked him if he knew if “THEY” were open. He replied “No, but my wife works there and she is inside”. Tim sent a text to Connie to come to the front door ASAP because a young girl needed help.  They brought her into the office and she explained that her mother’s boyfriend had picked her up by the neck, threw her against a wall and that it wasn’t the first time it had happened.  Connie and Tim both noticed visible marks on her neck, comforted her, called the City of Ogdensburg Police, kept her in our office until the police arrived and stayed with her while the officer questioned her about what had happened.  Eventually the officer indicated he had to take the young girl back to the police station, but it was clear he knew who she was and there had been issues in the past with this family.  Connie asked her why she came to our office. She said she often walks by and always noticed the sign outside said CHILD CARE so she thought someone here could help her.

We are so fortunate to have CCR&R representation across the state. Even as we look at regionalization, CCR&Rs are not only able to tailor their services to meet the needs of their communities, they are able to be a presence and help in unexpected ways. We thank Connie, and her cohorts across the state for their dedication to their jobs, communities and children.