WEBElong Adoptions

ABOUT DCF

Agency Mission
The mission of the Department of Children and Families is to protect children, improve child and family well-being and support and preserve families. These efforts are accomplished by respecting and working within individual cultures and communities in Connecticut, and in partnership with others.

Guiding Principles
Overarching Principle: Safety/Permanency/Well-Being:
The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is committed to the support and care of all children, including those in need of protection, who require mental health or substance abuse services, and who come to the attention of the juvenile services system.

In this context, DCF asserts that all children have a basic right to grow up in safe and nurturing environments and to live free from abuse and neglect. All children are entitled to enduring relationships that create a sense of family, stability and belonging.

Principle One - Families as Allies. The integrity of families and each individual family member is respected, and the importance of the attachments between family members is accepted as critical. All families have strengths and the goal is to build on these strengths. Family involvement and self-determination in the planning and service delivery process is essential.

Principle Two – Cultural Competence. The diversity of all people is recognized and appreciated and children and families are to be understood in the context of their own family rules, traditions, history and culture.

Principle Three – Partnerships. Children and families are best served when they are part of and supported by their community. The Department is part of this community, works in association with community members, and is committed to its services being localized, accessible and individualized to meet the variety of children and families needs.

Principle Four – Organizational Commitment. A successful organizational structure promotes effective communication, establishes clear directions, defines roles and responsibilities, values the input and professionalism of staff, creates a supportive, respectful and positive environment, and endorses continuous quality improvement and best practice.

Principle Five – Work Force Development. The work force is highly qualified, well trained and competent, and is provided with the skills necessary to engage, assess, and intervene to assist children and families achieve safety, permanence and well-being.

Statutory Authority and Mandates
The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is established under Section 17a-3 of the Connecticut General Statutes as a comprehensive, consolidated agency serving children (under age 18) and families. Its mandates include child protective and family services, juvenile justice services, mental health services, substance abuse related services, prevention and educational services (acting in the capacity of a school district for the children in our care).

DCF is also a direct provider of services, operating a children's psychiatric hospital (Riverview Hospital), a residential treatment program (High Meadows), an emergency shelter and diagnostic center (The Connecticut Children's Place) and a facility for male adjudicated juvenile offenders (the Connecticut Juvenile Training School). Girls who are adjudicated as delinquent and committed to DCF by juvenile court receive services at DCF operated facilities, at private residential programs in the community and in their own communities while they live at home.

DCF operates a voluntary 20 day Wilderness Challenge course at the Wilderness School and also funds private community-based services and licenses and monitors private services.

The agency's primary source of revenue (for operating expenses and funding for community services) is state general fund appropriations by the General Assembly through the biennial budget process. DCF also receives and/or administers a variety of federal resource initiatives. For example, the agency administers the two federal child abuse and neglect formula grants under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act and the Independent Living Program. It also prepares the children's portion of the federally required state mental health plan and is responsible for administering and managing the state's cost reimbursement function under federal Title IV-E, Section 474