Liberty Bank created the program for teens in DCF care, allowing them to open and access accounts without the cosign of a parent or guardian.
Laura Tillman
Laura Tillman is CT Mirror’s Human Services Reporter. She shares responsibility for covering housing, child protection, mental health and addiction, developmental disabilities, and other vulnerable populations. Laura began her career in journalism at the Brownsville Herald in 2007, covering the U.S.–Mexico border, and worked as a statehouse reporter for the Associated Press in Mississippi. She was most recently a producer of the national security podcast “In the Room with Peter Bergen” and is the author of two nonfiction books: The Long Shadow of Small Ghosts (2016) and The Migrant Chef: The Life and Times of Lalo Garcia (2023), which was just awarded the 2024 James Beard Award for literary writing. Her freelance work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, New York Times and The Los Angeles Times. Laura holds a degree in International Studies from Vassar College and an MFA in nonfiction writing from Goucher College.
Posted inImmigration
Supreme Court ends protective status for thousands of CT Haitians
The U.S. Supreme Court Thursday ended Temporary Protected Status for 1.3 million immigrants, leaving Haitian communities across CT reeling.
Posted inImmigration
New Haven mother sues federal government over ICE detainment
Nancy Martinez claims ICE agents handcuffed her and took her away without showing a warrant, leaving her children behind.
Posted inHuman Services
Family of 3-year-old killed by car was under DCF investigation
The family was being investigated based on reports received on June 1 and June 5, alleging a lack of supervision, DCF said.
Posted inHealth
Kids Count conveys mixed picture of how children fare in CT
Connecticut moved up in a national ranking that rates how well children are doing state-to-state, despite lower scores in some categories.
Posted inImmigration
ICE protest at federal building calls attention to CT enforcement operations
The peaceful rally sought to bring renewed attention to ongoing ICE activity in CT, the first large anti-ICE action at the site since January.
Posted inMoney
Lamont orders $300 grocery gift cards for residents losing SNAP
CT will provide the benefit to an estimated 25,000 residents who’ve lost federal nutrition assistance. Cards will be distributed by August.
Posted inHuman Services
All eyes on Lamont as CT’s hunger crisis worsens
Advocates are increasingly impatient with Gov. Ned Lamont’s response to a worsening hunger crisis in the wake of cuts to SNAP.
Posted inCT Mirror Explains
What to know about this year’s ambitious DCF legislation
A bill passed this year makes changes at CT’s Department of Children and Families. Here’s how it’s intended to reform the department.
Posted inHuman Services
DDS chief Scheff to step down; deputy to be interim commissioner
DDS chief Jordan Scheff is leaving his position to pursue a new role. Deputy Commissioner Elisa Velardo will be the interim commissioner.
Posted inHuman Services
Man charged in Bethany sexual abuse case pleads guilty
Anthony Mastrangelo could serve four years in prison for sexually abusing children in an after-school program and summer camp in Bethany.
Posted inHuman Services
DCF ends probe of shoplifting incident before Enfield girl’s death
The DCF has closed its investigation of a shoplifting incident that happened a few days before Eve Rogers’ death. A criminal probe continues.
Posted inHuman Services
At CT DCF, staff turnover is high. The costs can be devastating.
The high turnover rate, which has led to confused families and burnout among remaining employees, has become a key factor in DCF’s troubles.
Posted inHuman Services
Advocates press Lamont to aid thousands losing food benefits
Anti-hunger advocates are focused on Gov. Ned Lamont in their push to intensify aid for residents who have lost federal nutrition benefits.
Posted inHuman Services
Senate confirms Christina Ghio for CT child advocate role
The vote of approval for Ghio as child advocate followed the confirmation of Susan Hamilton last month as the new commissioner of DFC.
