2024
October

Commissioner's October 2024 Message
Father's Bond: A Reunification Story
Into the Woods: DCF Program Preparing Youth for Life Beyond the Wilderness
October Employee of the Month Awards
Helping Kids by Helping their Dads: Fathers for Change, A Father-Focused Intervention to Address Family Violence

September

Commissioner's September 2024 Message
A Familiar Face, A Familiar Place
You Belong Among the Wildflowers
September Employee of the Month Awards

August

Commissioner's August 2024 Message
How the Common Thread Between Superheroes and Social Workers Put One College Student on the Path to His Life Calling
Meet Gavin - Future Entrepreneur and Community Leader
August Employee of the Month Awards
DCF Youth Attending Colleges and Programs Across the Country!

July

Commissioner's July 2024 Message
Finding Her Voice: Cassiah's Journey from Silence to Empowerment at NYU
Culture Meets Strategy: Establishing a Culture of Inclusivity for Dads
July Employee of the Month Awards
Ready to Foster Campaign has Launched

June

Commissioner's June 2024 Message
A Birthday Gift on Father's Day: "I wanted to give my daughter the best life possible"
Until I am too tired or too old, I will be here, fostering
June Employee of the Month Awards
The Stonewall Uprising - Inspiring Change

May

Commissioner's May 2024 Message
You never stop thinking about wanting to belong to a family
Everybody's story can help somebody in some type of way
May Employees of the Month
The kids give us life

April

Commissioner's April 2024 Message
April Employees of the Month
DCF Employee Honored by DOJ for Effort with FBI to Thwart Child Sexual Exploitation; Said He Was Just Doing His Job
"Our little Valentine" - the Safe Havens Act for Newborns
"The Link" between Animal Cruelty, Child Maltreatment, and other forms of Violence

March

Commissioner's March 2024 Message
A Father's Intuition
From the Gridiron to the Legislative Arena
March Employees of the Month
The STTAR Enhancement Plan

February

Commissioner's February 2024 Message
A Glimpse into Commissioner Designate Jodi Hill-Lilly
"All the days will get better."
DCF's New Pupil Services Specialists Supporting Incarcerated Youth on Their Way to a 'Second Chance" Through Education
DCF 2024 Legislative Priorities 

January

Commissioner's January 2024 Message
"A note to my 22-year-old self"
Best of 2019-2024


2023
December

Commissioner's December 2023 Message
"I have a picture of how I want to be."
"Men don't cry. I cried." 
Testimonials - The Olive Branch Shop

November

Commissioner's November 2023 Message
Living the Good Life
She Just Wanted To Be Loved And A Safe Place To Be
Beautifully real and perfect for each other

October 

Commissioner's October 2023 Message
DCF Staff Honored by Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Maria Chose to Blossom
"We did what anyone would have done in that situation."
Happy 50th Anniversary Wilderness School - "Transformation happens here."

September

Commissioner September Message
"It's up to you to pick your path."
"I beat the odds."
Commissioner Dorantes Assigned to Lead Governor's Kids Cabinet 

August

Commissioner's August Message
"I was sick and tired of being sick and tired."
Urgent Crisis Centers - The Vision of Michael Williams
Youth Attending Post-Secondary Education

July
Commissioner July 2023 Message "I can be Mama, you can be Mommy"
"Mommy and Daddy are sending their love" "Deer Oaks EAP Program for First Responders - Support is a Phone Call Away"
June

      Commissioner's June 2023 Message
     "I made it"
     "This is who I am"
     Stonewall Uprising - Inspiring Change

May
  Commissioner's May 2023 Message
A Wedding Day Kinship Placement
She Has Brought Out the Very Best of Us
Seeking Support is a Sign of Strength
Congratulations to Our Graduates
April

Commisioner's April 2023 Message
Safe Haven
Christian is a Force
Jackie Ford

March

Commissioner's March 2023 Message

"The fact that we are still here, and kicking is amazing"

“Everything that happens is an opportunity. It's what we do with those opportunities that matter."

Why safety science is an essential tool to reducing critical incidents in child welfare

 

February

Commissioner Message February 2023
Kayden
Samaris Rose
Janet Williams Award

 January

Commissioner January 2023 Message
The Best of 2022
Surviving Trafficking
I feel you are put in my path for a reason.

2022
December

Commissioner December Message
"I walked out of Hell barefoot" (Deborah Franklin)
"I wanted my daughters in my care" (Robert Little)
The Olive Branch

November

Commissioner's Message
Elias is our Why
  Love can be messy
  I feel so lucky they were born

October

Commissioner's Message
Jenna Corson - "This is life or death"
Lenisa Mathew - "It is beautiful to see. DCF staff are incredible."
Solnit South - "The cycle needed to change"

September

Commissioner's Message
"I did this." - Ashley May-Williams
"Celebrated in Her Image." - Jackie Vidal Receives Yocasta Del Rosario Award
"I don't want to be anyone else." - Destiny Bromfield

August

         Commissioner's Message  
         "Can I please give you a hug because you saved my life?"
         Dr. Glen Worthy "How do I support you?"
         Find the good in everything

July

Commissioner's Message
Psychological Safety Found Across the Country - Spotlight on Permanency and Adolescent Work
"I Love Knowing They Feel Safe With Me" - Spotlight on Joseph
"No One Can Ever Have Too Many People That Love Them" - Spotlight on Rebecca Atkins and Andrew Lee

June

  Commissioner's Message
"The Third Time's the Charm" - Spotlight on Tai Thergood
"You are to be Celebrated" - Spotlight on Kaelana Dauber
"I am Complete.  My Happiness Finally Arrived on my Doorstep" - Spotlight on Olger Zuniga

May

  Commissioner's Message Willie Robinson Gives Back From Homelessness to Kinship Care to the White House - Meet Vince Espino DCF Social Worker Gabrielle Mitchell Delivers UCONN MSW Commencement Address 

April

  Commissioner's Message
"We All Have a Lot of Similarities" - Spotlight on Angel Robles
"You Came" - Spotlight on Erika McCormack
The Link between Animal Cruelty, Child Abuse and Neglect, and Interpersonal Violence

March

  Commissioner's Message
DCF Exits the Juan F. Consent Decree
Connecticut's Family First Plan Approved by the Federal Government
CT's Legislative Session Prioritizes Children's Behavioral Health

February

Commissioner's Message
"Penelope Said 'I Need My Mommy'" - Spotlight on Penelope
"How Can I Make Myself Part of the Village?" - Spotlight on Tomi Handy
Janet E. Williams Humanitarian Award 2022 Recipients and Nominees

January

  Commissioner's Message
The Best of 2021
"I Felt a Powerful Need to Care for Her" - Spotlight on Ms. Croasdale
Human Trafficking Prevention Month

2021

December

Commissioner's Message
"No One Should Be Scared to Live Their Best Life" - Spotlight on Lizzy
"I'm Real Protective of My Kids" - Spotlight on Jeffrey
A Story of Profound Joy After Tragedy - Spotlight on the Baxters

November

Commissioner's Message
"I Want This Woman Right Here to be My Mom" - Spotlight on Alivia
"That's My Son" - Spotlight on Kally and Zander
Adoptive Families Get Needed Support from DCF-UConn Health Partnership - Spotlight on AAP

October

Commissioner's Message
"I Did the Work" - Spotlight on Anne
Father Addressing Domestic Violence Gets a Second and Better Chance - Spotlight on Luis
Domestic Violence Program Utilize's Fathers' Desire to Parent as Impetus to Change - Spotlight on Fathers for Change
Celebrating Hispanic/Latin(o,a,x) Heritage Month by Monica Rams

September

Commissioner Message
"Mary Saw Something in Me that No One Else was Willing to See" - Spotlight on Lily and Mary
"We Owe This Baby the Time for Her Mother to Become Healthy" - Spotlight on Rodney Moore
Leading Kinship Care and a Vision for the Future - Spotlight on Tina Jefferson and Natalia Liriano
Kinship Care: When Data and Research Confirm Common Sense

August

Commissioner Message
"They Saw Me as Someone Who Could Achieve the Highest Goal" - Spotlight on Betty
V.I.T.A.L. Highlights: Activating Potential in Young Adults to Build Success, Justice, and Lead Change
Sun Scholars: "It's a Family with a Shared Experience"
DCF Youth Attending Colleges and Programs Across the Country!

July

Commissioner Message
"We Were a Team" - Spotlight on Destiny
"On the Beach...Surrounded by the Most Important Adults in His Life" - Spotlight on the Allens
2021 Legislative Update

June

Commissioner Message
"The Moral of the Story is Anything is Possible" - Spotlight on Christopher
"I Love the LGBTQ Community. I am Them" - Spotlight on Dr. Aissa Williams
"There is So Much Good in these Boys" - Spotlight on Anna Gawel
DCF Nursing Team

May

Commissioner Message
“Being in Foster Care Has Been A Privilege”
Foster Care Director Natalia Liriano Discusses the Quality Parenting Initiative
The Story of Trung Le


April

Commissioner Message
Cross-Reporting
Families Over Facilities

 

March

Commissioner Message
We are Called to this Work
Christopher Bidorini
Dr. Janet E. Williams Humanitarian Award

Nominees:

Ms. Adams
Ms. Aponte
Mr. Bidorini
Ms. Ebron
Mr. Gay
Ms. Powers-Gaskin
Ms. Thomas

February

Commissioner
Dr. Taylor
Erin Ryan
Yadi Ijeh

         

January

          Commissioner's Message:  Embracing 2021
          National Human Trafficking Awareness Month          
          She Breathed Life Back Into Our Family
          The Best of 2020

 

2020

December

         Commissioner's Holiday Message
         From Shame to Shine
         Ghana - My Home Again for the Holidays
         Isaiah's Permanent Supports
          

November

Adoption is Love and the Sanzos are the Proof
Commissioner's Message
Gratitude
"He brings us so much joy"
Long Road To Love


October

A whole new life and I am fiercely protective of it
Chapters of My Life (poem)
Commissioner's Message
Fathers for Change
I am proud you are my Dad


September

Bridge to the Many Paths of Recovery
Commissioner's Message
Leaving Them Better Than She Found Them

My Best Self - For Him and For Me

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Suicide Prevention Month

 

August

A Message from the Commissioner
Careline
Solnit-North
Solnit-South

 July

A Message from the Commissioner
Mr. Cloud
"Ricardo's Village" (Team Names)
Saint Joseph Parenting Center

Special LGBT Pride Edition

     A message from the Commissioner
     Brian and Wil
     Kris Robles
     Robin McHaelen (Sidebar)
     Stonewall
     True Colors

June Issue

     A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
     Despite A World In Crisis And Staff’s Personal Challenges - A Little Girl Reunified
    
My First Father's Day with My Dad - Three Years Later
     “Oh, I’ve heard so much about you"…
     Reunification - Virtual Style

May Issue 

     CAFAF 25th Anniversary
     Ms. Borzellino
     Nicole McKelvey-Walsh
     "She Needed Me to Say Yes"
     Testing (COVID-19)
     The Mandelburg Family

April Issue

     Additional Photos and Highlights
     Child Abuse Prevention Month
     Kevin Rennie
     PRTF
     Samantha Diaz
     Superheroes
     TalkItOut
     Thank You Dr. Mike!
     What We Know

February Issue

     365
     Court Monitor
     EPIU
     Enhanced Service 
     IFCS
     Wear Blue 2020 Contest Photos

January issue

     Ashley Foster
     Hope for College
     Maria Kelley
     Virtual Academy
     YAB Legislative Victory
          YAB Coordinators
          YAB Meeting Schedule

 

2019

December Issue

          CAFAF
          Crossing the Ocean To Reunify Eric
          Returning Home
          Solnit
          Supporting Housing

November Issue

Adoption Day Photos
Adoption Day In Connecticut
Subsidy

October Issue

          A Father's Love
          Dads Matter Too! Conference
          Rep. Pat Wilson Pheanious

September Issue

Cassie G.
Leon's Legacy
Siblings Connecting Through Summer Camp
Wilderness School