I wholeheartedly agree with child welfare advocates who say that children should, whenever possible and when safe to do so, be kept in their homes. Frankly, I can’t imagine anyone who would disagree. But when obvious red flags are ignored for the sake of keeping a child at home, then there is a serious problem. That is why I disagree with Richard Wexler’s portrayal of what is happening in Connecticut, and his unfair criticism of the state’s child advocate and lawmakers who have raised concerns.
Fasano: ‘DCF failing in its core function, keeping kids safe’
Posted inPolitics
Navy praises CT-Sikorsky deal as it haggles over helicopter’s cost
WASHINGTON — The Navy lauded Connecticut’s effort to help Lockheed Martin cut the cost of the CH53K King Stallion, a new heavy-lift helicopter for the Marines, but the Navy and the company still are negotiating over the contract for the huge new helicopter.
Posted inHealth
ConnectiCare opens first health insurance store in Manchester
The store, in a 6,000-square-foot former brew pub space, is the first run by a health insurance company in Connecticut, but there’s precedent in other states.
Posted inEducation
Closing CT’s juvenile jail: Alternatives in Hamden, Stratford floated
The Department of Children and Families plan to close its controversial jail in Middletown relies on shrinking the pipeline of youths who need to be locked up – and opening a smaller, more therapeutic program, potentially in Hamden or Stratford for youth who still require a secure placement.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Connecticut needs righteous awakening and Malloy to be born again
Evidenced by his recent approval ratings, Gov. Dannel Malloy has turned Connecticut into a state of cynics. I used to be one of these cynics, feeling powerless and disillusioned. But I will not let that deter me from the important work ahead to restore faith in our state government.
Posted inCT Viewpoints, Talking Transportation
You can’t blame the truck for Connecticut’s traffic
When it comes to our horrendous traffic, especially on I-95, everybody wants to find blame with someone other than themselves. “Who are these people and why are they driving now, on “my road?” they ask.
Posted inHealth
Frustration runs deep for exchange customers forced to change plans
Switching doctors and hospitals has become a recurring scramble nationwide as consumers on the individual market find it difficult or impossible to stay on their same plans amid rising premiums and a revolving door of carriers willing to sell policies.
Posted inPolitics
Himes invited to Obama’s last state dinner
WASHINGTON — Rep. Jim Himes and his wife, Mary, have been invited to rub elbows Tuesday evening with movie stars and other celebrities at President Obama’s last state dinner, in honor of Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.
Posted inPolitics
If Democrats win, Matt Ritter to be next CT House majority leader
The leadership of the state House Democratic caucus is set for 2017 – so long as the Democrats do not lose more than 11 seats on Nov. 8, when all 151 seats in the House are up for election. On Tuesday, Toni E. Walker conceded the race for majority leader to Matt Ritter.
Posted inPolitics
Murphy on Podesta list of vice presidential candidates
WASHINGTON — It wasn’t a short list, but Sen. Chris Murphy was on John Podesta’s tally of possible vice presidential candidates, according to a hacked e-mail released by Wikileaks. There were 39 possible candidates on the list.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Campaign fact checking has ‘jumped the shark’
The 2016 presidential election is easily the most fact-checked contest in American history. A combination of extremely “truth-challenged” candidates and a bandwagon mentality among news organizations has caused it. But, just weeks away from November 8, has fact-checking “jumped the shark?”
Posted inPolitics
Fundraising for GOP congressional candidates in CT hits new low
Updated at 9 a.m.
Donors are shunning all five Republican campaigns for the U.S. House of Representatives in Connecticut, setting a new mark for fundraising futility: Contributions in the 4th and 5th Congressional Districts are less than 10 percent of what previous GOP challengers raised in previous cycles.
Posted inMoney, Politics
GOP calls for budget hearing, restoring comptroller’s oversight
Updated at 3:15 p.m.
Republican legislative leaders called Monday for immediate hearings on the state budget deficit controversy — and reform of a little-known law that compels the comptroller officially to confirm the governor’s budget’s projections.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Why Connecticut’s DCF has a waiver process for kinship families
What can be more terrifying to a small child than to be removed from home and placed with people — as well-meaning as they are — with whom the child is unfamiliar? When the Department of Children and Families confronts a decision about whether to remove a child from his or her parents, staff work closely with the extended family and other “natural supports” to see if the child can be safely maintained at home or, if not, whether a safe alternative exists to the trauma of placing the child with strangers in a traditional foster home.
Posted inHealth
CT stepping up efforts to treat trauma in the very young
A baby crying inconsolably. A toddler stealing food. They’re signs of trauma, but often, even those who work with young children don’t recognize them. Can a new effort change that?