Hundreds of foster children have been waiting months for court hearings that were suspended because of the pandemic.
Juan F.
Posted inGovernment, Justice
Under federal oversight, DCF makes strides in lowering social workers’ caseloads
For the first time in nearly 30 years of federal oversight, DCF has sufficiently lowered caseloads for social workers serving vulnerable children and families.
Posted inGovernment
Federal monitor’s report reflects continuing concerns about DCF, but progress being made
A lawyer for the plaintiffs is optimistic because the agency has made progress in its hiring and caseload goals.
Posted inEducation
Final report on DCF under Malloy and Katz cites progress
Connecticut received Monday what is likely to be a federal overseer’s final assessment of the progress made by the Department of Children and Families during the tenure of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Commissioner Joette Katz, saying the state is closer than ever to ending nearly three decades of federal supervision. But not before the next governor takes office.
Posted inEducation, Justice, Money
DCF to hire 120 social workers to meet ‘Juan F.’ goals
The Department of Children and Families will be hiring 120 social workers to comply with an updated consent decree in the long-running Juan F. case, and the Malloy administration already has warned legislators it will need to spend $10 million more on the agency than is budgeted, the state’s top budget official said Thursday.
Posted inEducation
Judge simplifies path for DCF to end court oversight
A federal judge Wednesday ordered Connecticut to commit to certain staffing and caseload levels at the Department of Children and Families as a step toward ending the court’s quarter-century oversight of the agency under a consent decree. Unlike an exit plan rejected in February by the legislature, it does not shield the DCF from budget cuts.
Posted inEducation
Judge: Legislature’s rejection of DCF deal may lead court to act
Updated at 5:30 p.m.
BRIDGEPORT — After the state legislature rejected a settlement last week that would have brought the Department of Children and Families’ decades-long court oversight closer to an end, the federal judge presiding over the case said he may take matters into his own hands.
Posted inEducation, Justice
Legislators reject DCF settlement in ‘Juan F’ case
The General Assembly voted overwhelming Wednesday to reject a court settlement that would have charted a path for the state Department of Children and Families to end decades of federal court supervision and shield its $800 million budget from cuts.
Posted inEducation
Key CT lawmaker asks: Is federal supervision of DCF still relevant?
Lawmaker questions whether federal oversight of DCF is still needed — but a national children’s advocate says, “There continue to be real problems” with the agency.