Although no official report has been compiled on this matter many people in the community are aware that on Oct. 9,2003 an esteemed program director at Youth Services of Windham County was unceremoniously removed from the agency by the executive director and executive board members.
Initial reaction among those who worked with or knew this person's abilities was shock and then quickly anger because it was roundly believed that the firing stemmed directly from a personality conflict between the executive director and the fired. Requests for information were firmly rejected under the guise of protecting the fired person's confidentiality.
Events over the last two months have solidified the notion that the firing was based on political movement within the agency, personal insecurity on the part of the executive director and blatantly inept direction on the part of the executive comittee of the Board of directors. There was nothing, it so turns out, to keep confidential.
No disciplinary action or work improvement plan was ever enacted. No evidence of mismanagement was ever produced.
While a grievance hearing in front of a slightly more representational portion of the board of directors has occured and the outcome is pending it should be stressed that no outcome of this process will begin to repair the serious damage done to this person's local credibility, self esteem and outlook on humanity.
Much work was done to bring forth consensus among this person's peers around the state that would illuminate her many strengths and hopefully find a sympathetic ear. Letters streamed into the agency and to other important public bodies speaking of her unimpeachable character, fierce dedication to working for disenfranchised youth and their families. and determined quest to model a progrssive style of justice.
A great many things came of this effort - this person had a chance to reflect on her outstanding work and see how her work influenced many people around her; but she also had to sit back and watch the programs she had so vigorously molded begin to revert to template form. Unfortunately there was not nor will there be a ready replacement. Those with similar programatic vision and energy chose not to fill the void out of respect for their friend. It must still be wrenching for her to realize that her masterful synthesis of different programs and personalities (a Division that in many ways defined the agency's goals) could come apart because of petty jealousies and professional insecurity.
Not only has this person suffered but without her vision kids will now begin to fall through the cracks not just of the "system" (those are almost to be expected), but in the agency itself (that is the real crime). Ironically it was her ability to design systems that better support and monitor youth that eventually led to her firing. She promoted a style of communication among her team of workers that allowed for holistic case management and sealed "cracks". It was also so successful that it drove Directors of other divisions to loath her. She had reached a level of expertise in working for youth that far outpaced her co-workers (including the executive director) and they knew it. Her program was by no means a finished work but she was damn well working on it every day.
This woman was fired because she promoted progressive programming and demanded her peers to work as hard as she did (or at least as hard as they claimed to). All the cards are on the table. Everyone involved can readily see why she was fired. There is no great mystery shrouded by some sacred confidential trust. Now Youth Services (ie. the administration) is responsible for reestablishing a commitment to progressive youth social work so that the many talented workers there can go about their business with confidence and security.
For every person in Windham county that is aware that this firing is a great loss to area youth and their families there are certainly five more who are not. I urge any interested parties to reply for more details or spread the word. If we as a society are half as interested in improving relationships between youth and adults, and creating more opportunity for kids to succeed we need to make sure that events like that which occurred in October at Youth Services do not go unnoticed and that we steer our agencies of social wellbeing back on course.