Supports for children and families

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We strengthen children and families

The Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF) partners with communities. Together, we empower families to ensure children can remain safely at home. Our goal is to protect children. We and our partners help you in the following ways:

  • Family support: "Parents' Right to Know" and parenting resources
  • Community programs: LGBTQ+ resources and school-based supports
  • Transitional Supports and Success (TSS): For young people in foster care
  • Behavioral health: Outpatient and mobile crisis services, voluntary care, and more
  • Child protection: Background checks, Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) support, report abuse and neglect
  • Suicide prevention: For individuals experiencing a suicidal crisis, dial 988

Do you have questions or issues with your DCF case or investigation? Call the Office of Community Relations at 1-866-637-4737.

  • 211ct 
    2-1-1 connects you to health and human services. It’s free, confidential, and 24/7.
  • Community Pathways (PDF) 
    Learn about and use community-based supports and interventions.
  • Connecting to Care 
    Find services and support for mental health and other challenges.
  • CTBH 
    Get help for emotional challenges, mental illness, or substance use.

Parents’ Right to Know

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Know your parental rights

DCF's primary goal is to ensure children can safely remain at home. You may have questions about your rights during your involvement with us. The "Parents’ Right to Know” tells you what an abuse or neglect report means and what laws DCF follows. The information is available in different languages.

We look forward to partnering with you on behalf of your children.

Get the Parents’ Right to Know  

Parenting resources

How Children Grieve (PDF) 
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Family support

As a parent, learn about ways you can support your child's growth and well-being. Check out parenting resources. You can call 2-1-1, too, for questions about your child’s development.
How Children Grieve (PDF) 

Family supports

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FAVOR

FAVOR staff have lived expertise. They support and advocate for families involved in the behavioral health, medical, or child protective services systems.
Learn about FAVOR  
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School supports

Find in-school resources for children who need extra care. If you want to give your child or teen added help, call 2-1-1. They can direct you to the right programs.
Get school supports  
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LGBTQIA+ resources

We give LGBTQIA+ children and families steady, safe, affirming care, support, and services. Resources include supports for families and young people and legal and medical information.
Get LGBTQIA+ family supports  
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Transitional Supports and Success (TSS)

Are you a DCF-involved young person? Talk with your social worker. Find supports to transition into adulthood. Connect with job and life skills, housing, and education resources.
Transitional Supports and Success (TSS)  

Community-based behavioral and mental health support

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Programs for children and families

The Department of Children and Families is the lead children's behavioral health organization in Connecticut. In collaboration with community partners across the State, we fund and administer a vast array of programs.

  • Children’s outpatient care
  • Mobile crisis intervention
  • Urgent crisis centers
  • Voluntary care management
Learn about mental health services  

More behavioral and mental health resources

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Children’s outpatient care

Find outpatient mental health services for children, teens, and their families. The main service is individual and family counseling. Get these supports at school-based health centers or in an extended-day facility.
Learn about outpatient care  
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Mobile crisis intervention

Get emergency services for children, young people, families, and caregivers experiencing crises. Children, teens, or voluntary services enrollees are eligible. Call 2-1-1 and connect to support 24/7.
Get mobile crisis intervention  
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Urgent crisis centers

Find help if you or a loved one is suicidal, considering self-harm or self-injury, or dealing with depression, anxiety, behavioral, or substance issues. The centers prevent emergency room visits.
Find urgent crisis centers  
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Voluntary care management

Do you have a child or teen under 18 with a diagnosed emotional, behavioral, or substance use issue? Call the Careline and choose option 3. An expert will get your information. Carelon Behavioral Health will follow up.
Call 1-800-842-2288  

Give back to CT children and families

Mentor  
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Foster, adopt, and volunteer!

Help your own family, CT kids, and teens thrive. Foster or adopt, or donate gifts! Learn how to support children and families today.
  • Adopt 
    There are plenty of CT children who would love a safe, permanent home. Learn how to adopt!
  • Donate gifts 
    Donate items to DCF-involved families. They can then get gifts for special occasions!
  • Support 
    Help children with behavioral health needs. Call 860-704-4091 or 860-292-4000
Mentor  

Child and family protection and support

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Human Anti-Trafficking Response Team (HART)

Learn how the HART team works with State and local agencies to help people who were trafficked and prevent the trafficking of children and teens.
Learn about HART  
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Mandated Reporters: Report Child Abuse and Neglect

Call the Careline ASAP or no later than within 12 hours at 800-842-2288. For non-emergent reports, file a CPS report from the Mandated Reporter Portal within 48 hours.
Report abuse and neglect  
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Know the signs of abuse and neglect

Sadly, there are many ways children are physically and mentally abused. Learn how to spot the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect.
Learn about abuse and neglect  
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Intimate partner violence (IPV)

Are you experiencing intimate partner violence? Call, text, email, or live chat with SafeConnect. An expert can connect you to nearby supports.
Contact Safe Connect