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ECHO’s Children – An UpdateLast month, DBS announced that it had suspended its transitional living programs for adolescents at ECHO and The Olive Branch, both in St. Louis. Although DBS held on as long as fiscally possible, the increasing cuts from state and local funding sources combined with the national trend toward placing children in foster care finally forced the difficult decision to suspend the programs. The nine-member steering committee and especially the remaining staff still hold the children and their futures close to their own hearts. They want everyone to know that the children are all now in other safe environments. Four of the last 15 children were placed in foster homes. Several ECHO employees have gone through foster parent training and are now in the process of taking three of those four into their own homes. Another youth will be attending Alabama A&M in the fall, planning to major in accounting, while yet another will be attending a local community college. The rest of the youth are in other custodial programs. Angela Roffle, director of programs, said recently “We miss those children – very much. Some of them call, just, they say, to see what we are doing. A couple have even ‘run away’ and come back to ECHO. I believe that’s a testimony to the quality of care they received while at ECHO.” Simple things often made the difference for many of these children. Roffle said that throughout their placement histories, whenever they were moved to another placement, the kids were handed a few black plastic bags and empty boxes to pack their belongings. “Not this time,” Roffle said. “Each one had new luggage and storage totes and they left ECHO’s care with some dignity and grace.” The weekend prior to their leaving ECHO, staff took time away from their own families and took the youth to the Grey Wolf Lodge in Kansas City for a weekend getaway. Swimming, shopping and eating ruled the weekend. On their last day as ECHO employees, staff had a family-style barbecue. Roffle said everyone ate, hugged, laughed and cried a little. “It’s important that folks know, while ECHO was an agency, we really were family… and will remain ECHO family. Because once claimed, you are forever a part of our ECHO family,” Roffle said. Although there are not currently any children or youth residing on ECHO’s campus, the agency is still reaching out to the community. A Back-to-School Community Fair is planned for August. Workshops, haircuts and links to available community health and social services will be provided. Backpacks, school supplies, new underclothes and gift cards will be distributed to school-aged children. In November, ECHO will hold a Warm Their Hearts Outerwear Drive to provide winter coats, hats, gloves and scarves to children whose parents would otherwise not be able to keep their children warm during the winter months. Contact: or Angela Roffle |