After 150 Years Helping Young Children, JCFS Closing Group Homes
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A Chicago-based organization for troubled young people is closing its residential group homes and laying off more than four dozen staff.
Jewish Child and Family Services, which has a 150-year history, is closing its five group homes over the next several months.
Over the next two weeks, decisions will be made about where to place more than 30 young people, 13-20 years old, who have emotional and behavioral problems.
"These are kids that have had a lot of turbulence in their life," said Margaret Vimont, the JCFS executive vice president.
"It is always unfortunate when circumstances like this bring another premature move when they are in the midst of their treatment to us. So certainly that's having some impact on the kids."
But Vimont says they're working with DCFS to find the best placement for them.
She says they're closing group homes because the new approach favors foster care. And because they've been running short on the money to run the homes.
Vimont says more than 50 staff will be laid off.
Last week, Maryville Academy announced it would stop taking in children for residential care.