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Norwalk officials urge continued funding for three family coordinators after foundations decline long-term commitment
Summary
City leaders and Board of Education staff told the BET the three family coordinator positions—piloted with philanthropic grants—served over 1,000 Norwalk households; foundations committed short-term support but are not expected to continue indefinitely, and the BOE seeks local funding to sustain the roles.
Norwalk Public Schools and community-services leaders asked the Board of Estimate and Taxation on March 20 to continue support for three city-based family coordinators who, officials said, helped more than 1,000 Norwalk households over the pilot period.
Superintendent Dr. Estrella and staff described the positions as locally rooted navigators and community resource specialists who connect families with health, housing and other services. The initiative was seeded by philanthropic partners—the Ritter Foundation and the Perrin Ashford Heiderich Foundation—who provided multi-year support but indicated their commitments were not indefinite.
Anna and Vivian (district/community-services staff) told the BET those foundations provided roughly $250,000 in the most recent year and had previously supported the pilot at higher levels when it included five navigators. The district subsequently reduced to three positions sized to fit the city—s needs; staff said each of the two named foundations committed $75,000 each for the current budget year (total $150,000) and the program seeks stable local funding to maintain services.
BET members and the mayor urged continued funding while exploring alternative grant and philanthropic sources; staff reported local partners (nonprofits) generally lack capacity to fund the positions back to the district because they depend on contract and philanthropic revenue themselves.
There was no formal vote. The BET agreed the positions are high priority and discussed incorporating them within the city—s 2.5% budget target, noting benefits already realized and the political importance of honoring prior philanthropic commitments.
