Our goal had been the same for the past 180 years: to help families be families. Every day Family Service helped children and families facing life's most difficult challenges. We aimed to continue in the tradition of shaping a healthier Boston by developing and supporting programs to meet the needs of city residents confronting the most damaging effects of poverty, discrimination, violence and isolation.
The mission of Family Service of Greater Boston was to break the cycle of intergenerational family disadvantage. We promoted the self-sufficiency and well-being of at-risk children, youth and families by providing innovative, culturally competent and integrated social services to help people reach their fullest potential.
In April 8, 2017, The Board of Trustees of Family Service of Greater Boston made the difficult decision to dissolve the agency. Therefore, except for residential programs, all client services ceased operations on June 30, 2017.
The Board did not make this decision lightly. In fact, it came only after exhaustive efforts to find an appropriate merger partner who would enable the organization to continue, fell through. When no merger materialized it was clear that the agency would not survive with consistent and prolonged operating losses. We were caught between reductions in philanthropic funding due to shifting priorities, constrained budgets, and reimbursement rates that did not support our operational costs. FSGB is not alone. Many social welfare agencies have felt similar downward pressures. Despite a number of management actions to respond to these financial challenges, FSGB has not been able to close the funding gaps.
We are deeply saddened to arrive at this outcome after such a long and illustrious history for our organization. We care deeply about our staff, our clients, and our community, and will ensure as smooth a transition as possible.
Best regards,
Gisele M Michel
Interim Chief Executive Officer
Family Service of Greater Boston
31 Heath Street
Boston, MA 02130
April 10, 2018
This letter is to notify you that effective June 1, 2018, all records pertaining to Family Service of Greater Boston clients, will no longer be available from our 31 Heath Street location. These files will be transferred and stored off site at a secure information management facility.
In order to obtain copies of records, please contact the following:
Iron Mountain ROI
11333 E. 53rd Ave.
Denver, CO 80239
DenverROI@ironmountain.com
Phone: 303-373-5764
Fax: 303-576-6874
A "Records Request-Release of Information" form will need to be completed prior to the records being sent out. There is no cost for the service for continuing care purposes. A nominal charge may be assessed if the request is for other purposes. The form may be mailed to the above address or faxed for quicker response.
The typical turnaround time for retrieval and forwarding the information requested is 3 to 5 business days. Please reference Family Service of Greater Boston, account 24R8R, on any correspondence.
Sincerely,
France A. Neff, LMHC, BCC, CAGS
Director, Family Independence Teen Parent Program
Interim Director, Center for Behavioral Health