by Donald Eng CTNewsJunkie
HARTFORD, CT —Nonprofit agencies exist to do things so the government doesn’t have to, and they are the way government learns about what’s happening in communities and reaches out and helps people in need in the communities, according to Gian-Carl Casa, president and CEO of the CT Community Nonprofits Alliance.
“That’s what we call the social safety net,” Casa said. “And it faces unprecedented challenges today in 2026.”
Casa and representatives from various nonprofits gathered in Hartford Monday to advocate for increased funding, particularly in light of the federal government slashing support for social programs. A handful of legislators also were in attendance to voice their support for the work the nonprofits do.
“The question that needs to be answered by the State of Connecticut, is whether our safety net is going to be strong enough to withstand the added pressure being put on it by the federal government’s increasing retreat from its traditional responsibilities,” Casa said.
Heather Gates speaks about nonprofit funding at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford CT on Feb. 2, 2026. Credit: Donald Eng / CTNewsJunkie
Heather Gates, president and CEO of Community Health Resources, said her organization provides crisis services, residential programs, homeless outreach, trauma services and opiate treatment in communities and in correction facilities.
“Our services are funded by the state and federal government through direct grants, as well as Medicaid,” she said. “We are facing large funding challenges because the State of Connecticut has not met its obligations to support mental health and substance use treatment services for those who are most in need.”
Gates said CHR received no cost-of-living (COLA) increase this fiscal year, and the only way it could give staff increases was to lay off other staff.
“We have 150 adults with mental health and substance use come to our door every week,” she said. “And that’s only including those who feel safe leaving their homes right now.”
Daniel Resto speaks about nonprofit funding at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford CT on Feb. 2, 2026. Credit: Donald Eng / CTNewsJunkie
Daniel Resto, a case manager at Bridges Healthcare specializing in the Save Our Schools (SOS) program, spoke about the confusion agencies faced last year when the federal government eliminated funding for mental health programs, only to restore it the next day.
Resto said SOS is funded through a 5-year grant and is currently in its third year.
“In that time we’ve served over 200 students in the West Haven and Milford public schools,” he said. “In our system they have received evidence-based mental health treatment they otherwise would not have had access to. For children who experience trauma, the impact can be profound and long-lasting.”
Alyssa Goduti speaks about nonprofit funding at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford CT on Feb. 2, 2026. Credit: Donald Eng / CTNewsJunkie
Alyssa Goduti, president and CEO of Adelbrook , said her agency provides education and programs for clients with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“Like other community providers, our programs keep people out of hospitals,” she said. “Our work is dependent upon our 650 talented, committed and compassionate staff.”
Adelbrook works in partnership, and sometimes on behalf of the state, she said.
“We’re in the business of preventing crisis,” she said of nonprofits as a whole. “We provide that vital, life-saving and life-affirming care and as a network, contribute to the safety and vitality of every community.”
According to the alliance, Connecticut must act to shield services from federal cuts by allocating $155 million for community services above what was provided in the biennial budget passed last year.
With a surplus projected at $2.5 billion, that is affordable while remaining fiscally responsible, the group stated.
The increased funding would give the nonprofits the same increase that Department of Developmental Services residential programs will receive in the next fiscal year, fully fund Medicaid rate increases for behavioral health services, and increase room and board rates for DDS residential programs, according to the alliance.
The group’s legislative goals also include repeal or reform of statutes that cap executive salaries below the market rate, leaving nonprofits with a limited talent pool to hire from; providing affordable health insurance options for nonprofit employees; creating student loan and tuition reimbursement programs; increasing access to affordable housing and supporting special education services through approved private special education programs.