The decision to cease operations at Respond, Inc.’s Child Development Centers was made jointly by the organization’s Board of Directors and executive leadership following careful review of Respond’s financial position and operational capacity.
This decision was not unilateral or impulsive. It was the result of serious deliberation and reflects the Board’s fiduciary responsibility to ensure the safety of children, the protection of staff, and the responsible stewardship of the organization.
For more than 50 years, Respond has served Camden families with a deep commitment to early childhood education and community stability. However, continuing operations without the ability to reliably meet payroll obligations, maintain required insurance coverage, and ensure fully compliant learning environments would have placed children, families, and staff at unacceptable risk.
Once it became clear that these conditions could not be met in a sustainable way, the Board and executive leadership determined that halting operations was the only responsible course of action.
We recognize the disruption and hardship this decision has caused for families, staff, and our public partners, including the Camden City School District and the City of Camden. These concerns are valid and are taken seriously.
Respond, Inc. is cooperating fully with public agencies and partners and remains committed to transparency, accountability, and clear communication during this transition.
Michael Butch
President, Board of Directors
Vance M. Lofton
Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer
January 16, 2026