V.I.T.A.L. overview (PDF)
Learn about the goal of V.I.T.A.L.: To ensure lifelong well-being and success for young adults who leave DCF care.
V.I.T.A.L.
"Activating Potential in Young Adults to Build Success, Justice, and Lead Change"
The Department of Children and Families (DCF) wants young people to thrive after they leave our care. We want to equip them with the opportunities and life skills to lead fulfilling lives.
V.I.T.A.L. stands for: Voice and Choice, Innovative, Thorough and Accountable, Authentic Youth Engagement, Life Launch.
V.I.T.A.L. uses feedback from young people who experienced DCF care. Coupled with research, we’ve set up services, supports, and programs to help them launch into adulthood.
Use this page to learn about the V.I.T.A.L. approach and how it can help you and the young people you get to know at every step of their care plan.
V.I.T.A.L. practice guides, policies, and resources
Learn about V.I.T.A.L. and how it offers supports for all stages of case management.
V.I.T.A.L. graphic (PDF)
See a chart that explains the challenges, areas of opportunity, efforts, levers of change, and outcomes of V.I.T.A.L.
V.I.T.A.L. policies
Access our practice guide, policy manuals, tip sheets, and resources for transitional-age young people.
V.I.T.A.L. resources
Find a directory of V.I.T.A.L. resources and supports for caregivers, families, and young people.
V.I.T.A.L. tools
Transition planning
The "Omega" tool checks a young adult's needs, strengths, and life skills. It's often given around their 16th birthday, as they near the end of foster care.
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Young adults fill this out to help you learn about their interests, likes, dislikes, habits, and more.
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The Transition Planning and Declining Services form helps teens after launch.
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The Positive Youth Development Sustainability Scale helps you talk to teens.
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These questions help young people define what “meaningful relationships” are.
Transitional Supports and Success (TSS) programs
Financial literacy, job, and life skills
Find programs and supports for systems-involved young people in Fairfield County, CT. Help them build skills and succeed.
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Mentoring programs for LGBTQIA+ youth.
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Prevention programs for youth up to age 17.
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Vocational program for teens age 14 to 17 in DCF care.
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A job program for teens in DCF care ages 14 to 24.
Subsidies, services, housing, and more
Living options to support study
Find out about Education and Training Voucher (ETV) grants of up to $5,000 per academic year!
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Youth may be eligible to return to DCF care for services and support; find out how.
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Find out about Community Housing Assistance Program (CHAP).
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Find out about our Community Housing Employment Enrichment Resources (CHEER).
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Find out about our Transitional Supports for Emerging Adults. This is a wrap-around support.
The Wilderness School - DCF’s outdoor education program for youth ages 13 to 21
Watch teens in their Wilderness School experience.
See what to bring and how to pack for an experience.
Wilderness School forms, policies, and programs
Wilderness School programs and enrollment forms
Learn about our outdoor programs, policies, enrollment forms, and contact information.
Prepare for your program
Get guidelines to help you prepare for your trip.
2025 programs (PDF)
Learn about our outdoor programs that range in length from one to 20 days.
School Conservation Service Work Program (PDF)
Teens in DCF care ages 16 to 19 can build workforce skills while camping.
Statewide Youth Advisory Board (YAB)
“Meet Me Where I’m At”
DCF's Youth Advisory Board (YAB) is a group of remarkable young people. All YAB members have been in DCF care. Their lived experience is at the heart of our policies and programs for adolescents.
YAB advocates should have a voice in their own care. And families who foster should treat youth with dignity.
These concepts appear in Public Act 19-44 - An Act Concerning a Children in Care Bill of Rights and Expectations and the Sibling Bill of Rights.
YAB advocates should have a voice in their own care. And families who foster should treat youth with dignity.
These concepts appear in Public Act 19-44 - An Act Concerning a Children in Care Bill of Rights and Expectations and the Sibling Bill of Rights.
Resources for Adolescents in DCF Care
Adolescents Bill of Rights (PDF)
Young people in foster care have the right to be who they are.
Sibling Bill of Rights (PDF)
DCF aims to keep families intact, and this guides our service delivery.
Adolescent Fact Sheet (DOCX)
Here you can learn about keeping youth safe in their home as well as access data and resources.
Foster Care HUSKY Health (PDF)
Updates to Medicaid can help ensure Former Foster Care Children (FFCC) get continued coverage when they turn 18.
Adolescent Needs Prior to Leaving DCF Care (PDF)
Learn what opportunities, resources, and supports adolescents need to thrive as adults.
Foster Care Family Survey
Take a short survey to help DCF recruit and retain foster family resources.
SpeakUp (PDF)
This booklet tells you about your legal rights and helps you answer questions.
At risk of losing DCF Status? (PDF)
Find information to help if your case worker says you got an “800 Notice” from DCF.
DCF-780 English (PDF)
Child in Care Rights and Expectations form (English) for social worker, caregiver, child, or youth.
DCF-780 Spanish (PDF)
Child in Care Rights and Expectations form (Spanish) for social worker, caregiver, child, or youth.
Policy 28-1 (PDF)
Find policy information about Adolescent and Transitional Age Supports.
Contact us
TSS phone list (XLSX)
Find phone numbers for the Transitional Supports and Services team.
YAB Statewide Coordinator
Email the YAB Statewide Coordinator, Elizabeth Hazelwood.