Cape Cod Child Development to Cease All Programs

HYANNIS – Cape Cod Child Development is ceasing operations for all of its programs.

A letter from the organization’s board president Sally Fogerty to a union representing employees indicates that all preschool, school-aged and family day care programs will close as of Friday, August 30.

Fogerty said the board decided to close all of the programs due to a lack of sufficient revenue to continue their operation. She cited a loss of preschool funding sources and aging infrastructure as reasons for the revenue problems.

Cape Cod Child Development is working with the Department of Early Education on transitioning children to other programs.

Fogerty said the CCCD received notice on August 22 that Job Training & Employment Corporation, who had been providing management services, was immediately terminating its management services contract with CCCD. JTEC’s President and CFO Kristina Dower would also no longer be fulfilling the roles of CEO and CFO for CCCD.

CCCD merged with JTEC in March with the organization operating as a 501 (c)(3) as an affiliate of JTEC.

JTEC is a Hyannis-based organization that administers both federal and state workforce development grants and offers fiscal and operational oversight for local non-profits.

CCCD also lost its federal contract to operate the local Head Start Program at the end of June. A federal report cited four areas of deficiency, including fiduciary responsibility.

The Office of Head Start contracted Community Development Institute (CDI) to administer the Head Start program on the Cape beginning in July, until a new local grantee is awarded.

CCCD hired a financial expert August 23 to assume the responsibility for leading the organization through the process. Craig Jalbert, the chief restructuring officer of Verdolino & Lowery, will have authority equal to a president and chief financial officer.

Jalbert has expertise in working through the types of issues currently facing CCCD and evaluating strategic alternatives.

Calls made to Jalbert, Dower and Kathleen Hart, a spokeswoman for the Department of Early Education and Care, have not been returned.