What’s going on? Connecticut has been a national leader in juvenile justice policy, but all of a sudden, it’s in danger of losing its crown.
DCF
Posted inEducation, Politics
A Connecticut teen, a new UConn union, and money talk$
The story of “Jane Doe,” the transgender teenager who has never been charged with a crime being sent to the Connecticut adult women’s prison, burned a path through the week of legislative and political news.
Posted inEducation
Transgender CT teen writes court of her living conditions in prison
Since being sent to live in an adult jail eight days ago, 16-year-old Jane has spent 22 to 23 hours a day in her prison cell.
Posted inEducation
Advocates seek investigation into DCF treatment of court-involved youth
Child advocates are calling on Connecticut lawmakers to set up a special panel to investigate the treatment of children committed to the care of the Department of Children and Families for breaking the law.
Posted inEducation
Questions (and answers) about CT’s new girls’ incarceration unit
“There are girls that really very easily can fill these 10 beds,” said Joette Katz, commissioner of the state Department of Children and Families.
Posted inEducation
Top CT budget lawmaker: Where’s money for social workers?
The millions of dollars DCF has saved from decreasing the number of children living in group homes or being sent out-of-state are almost entirely funneled to other areas of the governor’s proposed budget.
Posted inEducation
Federal monitor: Connecticut DCF staffing levels have ‘worsened’
Dino Depina has had social workers who seldom look at his school grades. “Case workers don’t have enough time to,” said Depina, a Norwich teen who has been in foster care since he was 11. “I say, how about lowering the case loads.” Others agree. During a conference last week at the state Capitol complex, […]
Posted inEducation, Health
Little help for Connecticut’s many homeless youths, advocates say
Chancharay Tyson: "I had nowhere to go. It was scary." It’s been a rough four years for Chancharay Tyson who, at 18, “aged out” of state custody after years of living in numerous group homes as a foster child. A year later, with nowhere to live after leaving her abusive boyfriend, the Norwich 19-year-old again […]