Early Childhood and Family Support Programs

About the Early Childhood and Family Support Programs Unit

The Early Childhood and Family Support Programs Unit resides within the Clinical and Community Consultation and Supports Division in the Office of Behavioral Health and Wellbeing. The Early Childhood and Family Support Programs Unit oversees a network of services related to post intake services, parenting, preservation, reunification, visitation, and early childhood. While these programs serve families with children/youth of all ages, the Early Childhood programs work specifically with families and children ages 0-5. In addition, the Early Childhood and Family Support Programs Unit has established partnerships with the CT Office of Early Childhood (OEC) to support the wellbeing of this young population.

Child Safety Practice Model, Policy, and Early Childhood

All children and families involved with DCF are assessed through the lens of the ABCD Child Safety Practice Model and is the foundation of our interactions with families and community stakeholders. The ABCD child safety paradigm creates a way of thinking around child safety. It focuses on:

A. Adult parental protective capacity is increased-parents understand their protective role and take actions to keep the child safe.
B. Behaviors that are harmful are reduced-harmful behaviors that impact safety are reduced, controlled or managed.
C. Child vulnerability is reduced-parents safely care for their children with vulnerabilities due to ages and special needs.
D. Dangerous conditions are decreased-parents have addressed dangerous conditions that are imminent, out of control or severe.

Discussion guides were established to equally consider a family's strength and challenges in making a determination that a child is safe, conditionally safe, or unsafe at home. The discussion guide Safety of Young Children (ages 0-5) strengthens DCF's safety assessment and safety planning, ultimately trying to keep families together whenever possible.

In addition, DCF ensures a developmental, emotional, and social assessment is completed for children born substance exposed ages 0-12 months, substantiated victims ages 0-3, and all children ages 0-3 served through the Family Assessment Response (FAR). Appropriate referrals to Birth to Three and/or other early childhood services are made. DCF funded services are geared toward serving the needs of the child and family.

Services

DCF provides services to families with children of all ages. Some programs are specifically targeting families with children from birth to age five. The tables below show the most frequently used services.

*Requires DCF referral.

Partnerships

The Early Childhood and Family Support Programs has established partnerships and collaborations across multiple agencies and community providers.

Office of Early Childhood

• Home Visiting
• Help Me Grow
• Birth to Three
• Head Start
• Care 4 Kids

CT 3-5-9
CT Family STARS
Zero to Three

Resources 

Practice Guides
3-1PG Early Childhood Best Practice Guide
3-1PG A Early Childhood Resources 

Trainings

The DCF Academy of Workforce Development offers in-service trainings for staff and providers on different early childhood topics. Trainings are offered throughout the year on the following topics:

1. Teaching And Supporting Self-Regulation For Young Children Birth To Age Five
2. Social Emotional And Behavioral Milestones For Children Birth To Age Fine And The Effects Of COVID-19
3. The Importance Of Creating Supportive Relationships For Young Children Ages Birth To Age Five
4. The Impact Of Exposure To Domestic Violence In Children
5. Interviewing Children: How Should I Ask That?
6. The Trauma Of Homelessness: The Impact Of Very Young Children And Families
7. Early Childhood Development: Child Development Milestones And Basic Baby Care
8. Early Childhood Development: Understanding The Science Of Attachment And Engagement
9. Sentinel Injuries: Earl Recognition Of Physical Abuse
10. Trauma And Resiliency In Young Children From Infancy To Age Five
11. The Effects Of Parental Incarceration On Young Children Training
12. Loss, Grief And Bereavement In Young Children From Birth To Age Five

Please contact the Academy directly to get access to the Training Catalogue.

Contact Us

Please contact us with any questions or suggestions. We'd love to hear from you!
Inés Eaton, Program Director
Megan Bracone, Primary Prevention Services Coordinator
Jenny Vesco, Program Supervisor