The Sunshine League children’s home will remain open for the next month or two while Government completes a review, although the children living there have already found new foster homes.The charity announced on June 21 that it would close the home at the end of June due to the “excessively high” costs of running it.However, it said last night that it will keep the doors open through July, and possibly into August, to provide transitional services to the children who are moving to foster homes.News of the planned closure came after Government slashed the 92-year-old charity’s annual $200,000 grant to $100,000 in this year’s budget. The rest of the home’s $700,000-per-year running costs have been funded by private donors.The Sunshine League said the Department of Child and Family Services would try to find foster families for the eight youngsters in its care. Meanwhile, it would continue to support the children through educational programmes.The announcement sparked concern from Minister of Youth, Families and Sport Glenn Blakeney, who said Government wanted the 16-bed home in King Street, Hamilton, to remain open.Mr Blakeney said he was not consulted over the closure announcement, which left him “surprised and disappointed,” as Government was working with the board to prevent that happening.The Minister said a Government review of the Sunshine League’s financial status was ongoing at the time the announcement was made.“It was our hope that no action would be taken until the report by the internal Management Consulting Section of the Department of Human Resources had been completed outlining options and recommendations for consideration,” he said on June 22.Two days later, Mr Blakeney announced a cash boost for the Sunshine League. In a Ministerial Statement, he said only $25,000 of the annual $100,000 grant had been paid so far this budget year, but Government was willing to advance the rest of the $75,000 straight away if it would help keep the home open.The home appeared to have shut down by Friday afternoon. There were no signs of life at the two-storey building, the doors were locked, the curtains were drawn and blinds were pulled down in every window.However, a spokeswoman for the Sunshine League released a statement last night saying: “The Sunshine League today announces that, at the request of the Bermuda Government, it has agreed to continue to provide a 24-hour residential facility to foster children throughout July and, if necessary, August 2011.“The Bermuda Government aims to complete its operational review of the Sunshine League by July 31, 2011 and recommend a way forward to maintain the operation of a 24-hour residential facility at the Sunshine League premises.“The Sunshine League will cover the operational cost out of their cash balance for the month of July and the Department of Child and Family Services will provide the remaining earmarked funds up to $75,000 to cover the operational costs of the home for the month of August.“Suitable alternative placements have been found by DCFS for each of the eight children who were living at the Sunshine League in late June. While the review was being undertaken, as always, the children’s interests and safety remain the primary consideration.“During the month of July and with the Government-provided finances in August, the Sunshine League board and staff have offered to provide services to the foster children who have been moved out of the Sunshine League home to assist them emotionally with the transition and to ensure the continuity of care.“These services will be provided at both the Sunshine League and the foster home. Each child would be assigned a staff member who is familiar with the child to function as a home-based mentor. The mentor will meet with the child on a weekly basis to, for example, participate in community-based and home-based activities such as board games, movies, sports, cooking workshops, visiting the Aquarium and BUEI.”Zakiya Johnson, interim President of the charity said: “The Sunshine League, as previously stated, is transitioning out of 24-hour residential care, but would like to allow Government extra time to make a decision about effectively running a 24-hour residential facility from our building.“We will continue to work closely with the Government on their review and at the same time we look forward to progressing with our plan to meet with key donors and community stakeholders regarding the broader needs of foster children and how we can best meet these needs together.”Mr Blakeney issued a statement last night saying Government is pleased the charity has agreed to continue providing 24-hour care to foster children throughout July.“The Government of Bermuda is committed to the children who are placed in the foster care system, and continues to work with the board of the Sunshine League in an effort to use each of our respective strengths and resources towards supporting the needs of these children,” he said.“We will continue our operational review of the Sunshine League this month and would like to thank the board of the Sunshine League for agreeing to run the facility for an additional two months while we review all options for continuing to run the home as a 24-hour residential care facility.“Our actions are the response of a caring Government concerned only for the safety, protection and stability of our children.”