Eckerd files notice to lay off 176 employees
April 19, 2022 - Foster care services provider Eckerd Connects has filed a notice to lay off 176 employees as it prepares to close the Tampa facility on Florida Avenue. The layoffs are expected to occur on June 30th. The positions of the affected employees include those who serve as youth and child care workers, case managers and family support workers. Late last year, the group said it was going to lay off over 230 employees in Trinity, Largo and Dade City. The additional layoffs follow the news of the state firing the Clearwater-based private organization, which was contracted through the state to offer foster and child care services in Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties. During that time, an investigation was launched as there were allegations that children in the company’s care had been allowed to sleep overnight inside the Eckerd Connects administrative building, which is not licensed for foster care.