Housatonic Youth Service Bureau: As case numbers rise, bureau requests funds

FALLS VILLAGE — After facing a surge of cases, the Housatonic Youth Service Bureau (HYSB) has requested additional funds from each of the six towns in the region in order to service the community effectively.

The HYSB is a nonprofit organization that offers free mental health services, including in-school counseling, clinical counseling and enrichment programs like social clubs, for children between the ages of 4 and 18.

During the hardest days of the pandemic, HYSB was forced to suspend its enrichment programs, as well as resorting to video-call counseling. With the number of cases rising after the pandemic, as well as the amount of care each case needs, the HYSB has requested $60,000 from each of the six towns  — $360,000 in total.

“Our agency is at a critical turning point where we’ve never been at this much of a capacity before, and we really want to be able to meet the demand,” said HYSB Executive Director Kelly Parker. “We had a waiting list for the first time in our 30-year history and it was really hard for us to have to implement that.”

On average, the HYSB counsels between 120 and 150 clients each week, while only having three counselors: two clinicians and a clinical director. The money requested would go toward hiring a social worker for five years to help with the rising number of cases.

“Everyone knows someone who has been touched by the mental health crisis. Perhaps right now, because of COVID-19, people are more aware of it,” said Dave Barger, a selectman in Falls Village and the chairman of the HYSB Board of Directors. “Because of that it is less stigmatized.”

When presenting her request to the six towns, Parker said the response was “positive.” So far, Sharon and Cornwall have made contributions toward the $60,000, but have not paid in full. With the money the HYSB has already received, they are looking into a part-time counselor for the time being.

“Our youth in the Northwest Corner is our most valuable asset,” said Barger, “and to care for them in any way that we can, I think is part of the mission that we have with the HYSB in serving them with their needs.”