A Connecticut nonprofit that helps families find services for children in crisis or with special needs is shutting down after 24 years, raising questions about who will fill the gap.
FAVOR Inc., based in Wethersfield and a partner of the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, told NBC Connecticut Investigates it plans to wind down operations by Oct. 30. The organization said it currently serves 70 families.
“Once FAVOR entered, I actually had somebody to talk to,” said Nicole S., a parent of two children with special needs whose family received help from FAVOR. “It was like a lifeline that actually gave you hope that didn’t judge you.”
“It is a devastating loss,” Nicole said. “It’s going to be a very big loss, and I don’t know what people are going to do.”
After days of declining to explain the decision, the nonprofit provided a statement to NBC Connecticut Investigates, citing longstanding challenges:
“FAVOR, Inc., a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children, youth, and families navigating behavioral health, educational, and child-serving systems, will cease operations effective October 30, 2026.
After extensive deliberation, FAVOR’s Board of Directors made the difficult decision to close the organization because of longstanding operational, personnel, and financial sustainability challenges. Despite significant efforts to stabilize operations and preserve services, the Board determined that continuing operations was no longer financially or organizationally sustainable.
The Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF) has been informed of FAVOR’s impending closure, including the outstanding needs of the children, youth, and families who have relied upon the organization’s services and support. At the time of the board’s decision, FAVOR supported fewer than 200 families through its programs; today, it serves approximately 70families. FAVOR has emphasized the need to address potential service gaps and ensure families continue to have access to meaningful advocacy, peer support, and resources. While FAVOR is taking steps to support a responsible transition, the organization recognizes that families’ needs will extend beyond its closure and will require continued attention and collaboration among state agencies, community partners, and other stakeholders.
Like many nonprofit organizations, FAVOR has faced significant increases in operational costs, creating substantial challenges to long-term financial sustainability. FAVOR’s board remains steadfast in its belief in the critical role of family support organizations and the importance of preserving independent, family-driven advocacy and peer support throughout Connecticut.”
For families, a key part of FAVOR’s work is peer support: help from people who have faced similar challenges raising children with special needs and navigating complicated systems of care.
In a 2024 tax filing, FAVOR said its programs touched the lives of 5,000 Connecticut families a year.
FAVOR employees told NBC Connecticut Investigates they had no indication the nonprofit was facing financial issues. The announcement also caught DCF by surprise.
Speaking Oct. 5, DCF’s Ken Mysogland said the department was not yet in a position to discuss a plan or next steps because the news was so recent.
“It is extremely unfortunate given the history and the importance of that agency in supporting our families,” Mysogland said.
DCF gave a subsequent statement to NBC Connecticut Investigates as well.
“We highly valued our longstanding relationship with FAVOR Inc. and the important support and advocacy they provided to families across the state. Unfortunately, the Board of FAVOR Inc. advised DCF that they have voted to close the agency. Our contract was a three-year contract supported by state and federal funds. Closing was not due to a financial related issue or influenced by our working relationship with FAVOR Inc. We are continuing to discuss and find ways to ensure minimal service disruption to our families via other providers in the community.” DCF said.
NBC Connecticut Investigates obtained an email sent to groups FAVOR has partnered with over the years listing alternative organizations that may be able to help after the closure.
Favor Inc. employees acknowledge though, it’s going to be very hard to replace the kind of peer support that this organization provides.
