Connecticut Department of Children & Families

Welcome to DCF

The Department of Children and Families’ (DCF) vision is that CT's children are safe and sound and that they live with loving and supportive families.

We partner with communities and families to raise resilient, thriving children.

DCF also protects children. We serve as the State's lead agency for kids' mental health. Working with local communities, we set up and put in place prevention plans.

Use this page to:

Learn how to report child abuse and neglect
Find or request CT-mandated reporter training
Become a foster or adoptive parent
Access forms and training
Get details about our latest job openings

Locate one of our offices or contact us

Training, resources, and services

Programs and services

About CT foster care and adoption

Learn how to become a foster or adoptive parent. Or, if you’re already one, browse forms, trainings, and post-adoption services.

You can also find the following resources here:

Events, including our information sessions calendar!
Adoption success stories, news, and press
In-depth information about adoption
Resources, including childcare
Licensing, requirements, and training for interested families
The Heart Gallery - to see children and teens up for adoption

Learn more about foster care and adoption

More programs and services

Become a foster or adoptive parent

Want to be a foster parent, or are you already one? Find training, subsidy payment information, events, and more!

Check out the Heart Gallery

Want to become a parent or grow your family? Meet the CT children and teens seeking loving, warm, and safe homes.

Find supports for teens and tweens

Find resources, programs, and supports in place to help youth thrive.

Workforce training and resources for providers

Resources for providers

Training and forms

We engage our workforce and community partners through a culture of support leading to healthy and strong families. Learn about:

Mandated Reporter Training
Medical Administration Certification

Get background check info

Mandated Reporter

Study online in English or Spanish to learn how to report child abuse.
Get the forms you need

Find a numbered list of DCF forms including DCF-136 and DCF-2131.
Provider links

Get links to our facilities, childcare providers, agencies, grants, and more.
Med Admin Certification

Learn about our training, and find skills and internship forms.

Resources for providers

Foster, adopt, volunteer, mentor, or donate

Report abuse or neglect

Get involved

The State Advisory Council (SAC) provides DCF with oversight and advisement.

Check out our current openings, agendas, minutes, notes, and handouts.

State Advisory Council (SAC)

Foster or adopt

For information about becoming a foster or adoptive parent, call 1-888-KID-HERO (1-888-543-4376).
Goodwill

Donate to or shop at the Olive Branch. It helps children, teens, and families who get DCF support.
Mentor

Learn how you can make an impact as a positive role model.

Report abuse or neglect

DCF reports, data, studies, and more

Submit a data request

DCF Data Connect

Find a full list of DCF data, publications, and statistics. Access child abuse/neglect reports and more.

Open the data portal

CT Kids Report Card

Trend data presented with a narrative, also known as the “Story Behind the Curve.”
DCF data + dashboards

Abuse and neglect reports data, administrative data, and more.
Federal reports

Connecticut Child and Family Services Plan (CFSP) 2025-2029 and more.
Plans

Children’s Behavioral Health Plans - § 17a-22bb and more.

Submit a data request

Find the support you need

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress. Also find prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones.

Office of Community Relations

Call 1-866-637-4737. The office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday.