Officials will announce the merger Thursday of two leading agencies that have helped at-risk youth in Louisville and around Kentucky for over 160 years.Bellewood Home for Children and Brooklawn Child and Family Services both offer services that help children, many of whom are wards of the state. The agencies offer combined services that range from psychiatric care and counseling to places to live. The agencies are also partnered with Jefferson County Public Schools and offer alternative programs on site. The two serve over 11,000 children in 80 Kentucky counties annually and have similar $11 million budgets and combined have nearly 300 staff members. Officials say the merger will create one of the state’s largest and most comprehensive child welfare services agencies, but more importantly, it will aim to offer youth smoother transition between services. Mayor Greg Fischer plans to be on hand to help announce the merger Thursday at 10 am.
