By Chiquita Stephenson
To the Editor:
In October 2013, 521 children in Connecticut’s Lower Fairfield County had their educational opportunities interrupted with no notice and\or plan of action for their future learning.
Five Hundred plus (500+) families connected to the five hundred and twenty one children entire life and livelihood were abruptly interrupted and compromised when these families were not properly noticed about their child’s school being closed.
On Oct. 24, 2013 ACF had UPS deliver a package to NEON at 9:30 a.m., at noon NEON then received an email from Louise Eldridge and by 12:30 p.m., NEON received a phone call stating that Louise Eldridge of ACF and her staff would be arriving at NEON in less than 30 minutes and demanded a meeting with NEON management team. By 1:30 p.m, a meeting was underway with NEON, ACF and CDI and ACF was informing NEON that at 5 p.m. on Oct. 24, 2013, that NEON would no longer be the operator of the Head Start Program due to a 30 day Summary Suspension.
ACF and ex-Mayor Mayor Moccia had no regard for the Norwalk children or their families and, they did not seem to care about the ramification of their actions to the children and families within our communities.
Our remarkable hardworking families\ community members found themselves scrambling and stressed out trying to determine how they would continue to work, fulfill their educational opportunities and requirements, have their children in an educational environment that was of quality and safe, keep their employment, pay their rent, car note etc.
Under my leadership, my team found information that was and still is important to any Norwalk agency that may endeavor to operate head start and regardless whether or not I am leading NEON, as a public servant I am going to make sure that taxpayers are aware of the findings.
As for the Department of Corrections NEON filed a report about inmates that shared probation officers were allegedly intimidating them and abusing their power. We requested an investigation and instead, NEON had all three of its programs pulled. To date, there has been no response from the department of correction. Therefore, individuals re-entering the community lost their permanent employment, reunification with their children and families as well as confidence that they have rights. Regardless whether I am leading NEON or not as a public servant I am going to make sure that taxpayers are aware of the findings.
As it pertains to the Department of Social Services, my team and I dedicated a major part of our work schedule developing policies, procedures, budgets and action plans that were focused on direct service delivery. With this said, NEON was being transparent with its past lack of internal controls and, it was and, still is important that DSS admit to its lack of internal controls. My team and I discovered decades of improper management however, we were not pointing fingers, we were seeking an opportunity to collectively change past practices for future success. Individuals then made the relationship personal and the fact remains for taxpayers and the communities served, that if the findings are not addressed, social services cannot and will not be properly coordinated and delivered and, the state and taxpayers will continue to pay triple the actual cost to assist local residents in need. Therefore, as a public servant regardless of whether I am leading NEON or not I am going to make sure that taxpayers are aware of the findings.
Local, state and federal elected officials from day one have been aware of all of the findings through my leadership and past leadership and instead of assisting with the findings, I found that they were seeking to find an escape goat to cover past practices. At this time, I publicly say to Congressmen Jim Himes, State Senator Bob Duff and State Rep Bruce Morris as a citizen, I call for each of you to resign for failure to act on information in each of your possession for more than three years. I contacted and communicated with each of you not to mention, I filled your email boxes with detailed supportive documentation yet, each of you allowed my name to be defamed and slandered. At no time, did you correct misinformation but, you all continued to engage in the misinformation. I will not be bullied by political figures abusing their power and as a public servant, I am going to make sure that the taxpayers are aware of all of the findings that each of you were informed about.
As for past NEON board members, the Hour newspaper, Nancy on Norwalk, news 12 Connecticut, current NEON administration and agencies and individuals mentioned above I am utilizing every legal remedy available and afforded to me for the defamation, slander, libel etc…
In my career, I have successfully worked hard to build community. The way in which I have been characterized have affected my family and community. All mentioned did not consider my safety, health or livelihood and therefore, today marks the end of false information being disbursed in community.
My heart and soul go out to the families that lost their jobs, homes, childcare and the ability to provide their families with a holiday celebration.
For each meeting held in confidence about NEON did anyone around the table count the cost of the lives that your decisions would and have affected? It would have been more productive to have all parties at the table especially NEON instead of a select few.
As for Chiquita Stephenson embezzling funds absolutely not however, I will share all findings. As for Chiquita Stephenson giving herself a raise, absolutely not, I was hired at NEON in 2007 at $65,000 as Director of Development & Public Relations, in 2009 I received an increase to $67,000, in 2012, I was appointed to a new position of Chief of Staff and, I also continued as Director of Development & Public Relations and my role expanded to NEON\CTE my new salary was $135,000, I received a new position in 2013 Chief Operating Officer\Chief of Staff salary 135,000 in 2013, I was appointed CEO\President and my new salary is $160,000 however, due to our financial disposition, I have continued at $135,000. State agencies have purposely misrepresented me and my salary as a way to deflect our findings. Whether leading NEON or not, as a public servant, I am going to disclose all findings to the taxpayers.
I will not apologize for not being a part of the old boys network or the agency’s past practices. Mayor Riling, I advise you to look at the facts before you continue to align your administration with past practices. There is much documentation to support my leadership and action plan. You must also be aware that NEON is responsible for Wilton, Weston, Westport, New Canaan, Norwalk, Darien, Stamford and Greenwich your focus should be a round table for shared funding, cost and expenses around program and service delivery.
I will be vocal on the local, state and federal level and all of the underhanded actions being taken against my family and I, I will be vocal publicly as well.
You can’t do the same thing and expect a different outcome. You will not use me as an escape goat for communicating the truth while implementing positive solution.
Together we can make a difference our communities are our future.
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