Connecticut aims to increase the percentage of children in foster care placed with relatives, but the state has yet to achieve its ambitious goal of 70%. The initiative, introduced in 2019, seeks to enhance the stability and well-being of children removed from their families by encouraging kinship placements.
On a typical March day in 2024, Victoria Woody received an unexpected call from an investigator at the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF), asking if she could take in her sister’s five children that day. Without hesitation, Woody agreed, even as thoughts about her workday and the sudden shift in her life raced through her mind.
“I didn’t hesitate to say yes,” Woody recalled. “It was more, ‘Oh my God, it’s the middle of the workday!’”
Woody quickly adapted her home for the children, who ranged in age from 9 months to 15 years. She organized her spare room, gathered essentials like cribs, clothes, and food, and prepared for the challenges ahead. The process, known as a “kinship” placement within DCF, allows children to live with relatives or individuals with close family ties, thereby aiming to maintain familial connections during difficult times.
Ken Mysogland, DCF’s chief administrator of external affairs, emphasized the importance of keeping children in familiar environments. “We fundamentally believe that children should reside safely at home with their parents, and when that is not possible… we want to do everything we can to keep that child within the familial system,” he stated.
Research supports the benefits of kinship placements, showing positive long-term effects on children’s mental health and educational outcomes. Since 2010, Connecticut has made progress in increasing its kinship placement rate, which now stands at 47.5% of total placements. In contrast, the national average is only 39%.
Despite this progress, Connecticut has not yet reached the target set by former DCF commissioner Vanessa Dorantes. The goal of 70% remains a challenge, particularly in light of rising pressures from the COVID-19 pandemic, which has complicated family dynamics and increased the behavioral health needs of children.
In 2010, only 17% of DCF placements were with kin, while today, almost half of the children placed by the agency live with relatives. Other states, such as Rhode Island, have surpassed this goal, achieving approximately 73% kinship placements.
Critics of DCF’s emphasis on kinship care argue that prioritizing relatives can lead to placements with caregivers who may not be fully prepared for the challenges of caring for children with complex needs. Martha Stone, founder of the Center for Children’s Advocacy in Connecticut, noted that while more children are being placed with family, some of these relatives may lack the necessary resources or support.
The shift towards kinship placements reflects changes in attitudes within the agency. Under the leadership of Joette Katz, who became commissioner in 2011, there was a renewed focus on placing children with relatives, departing from a previous overreliance on congregate care facilities. Katz’s efforts led to significant decreases in the number of children placed in institutions, from 40% when she started to only 6% by the end of her tenure.
Research from organizations like Generations United has shown that children in kinship care tend to maintain stronger relationships and experience fewer behavioral problems. These placements often occur within the same communities, allowing children to stay in familiar schools and environments.
Despite the advantages, the pathway to kinship placements can be fraught with challenges. For families like Woody’s, the process involves immediate background checks and eventually licensing to continue caring for the children. DCF has implemented programs like ConnectiKIN to provide resources and support for kinship caregivers, helping them navigate the complexities of fostering relatives.
Woody’s experience illustrates the emotional and logistical hurdles families face. After the children moved in, she quickly became aware of their needs and the impact of their past experiences, including previous instability and trauma. “I knew that, no matter what, they needed to see that family is important and that at the end of the day, you have each other,” she said.
As of now, DCF is reviewing its licensing processes to streamline requirements for kinship caregivers, potentially easing barriers for those willing to step in during emergencies. Mysogland expressed DCF’s commitment to supporting families who agree to take in children, stating, “If we have a family that has raised their hand to say, ‘Yeah, I will care for this child,’ we will literally do everything we can to support them.”
While the focus on kinship placements continues to evolve, the journey remains complex. Many families, including those who foster children, express concern over the implications of this shift. Doris A. Maldonado Mendez, a foster parent, shared her apprehensions about prioritizing kinship placements, emphasizing the importance of adequate support for all caregivers.
As Connecticut works to refine its kinship care strategy, the experiences of families like Woody’s highlight both the potential benefits and the challenges inherent in this approach. The agency’s commitment to increasing the rate of kinship placements reflects a broader understanding of the needs of children in care, aiming to foster stability, connection, and a sense of belonging.
