Connecticut’s efforts to increase kinship care placements for children in the foster system are falling short of established goals. The state aims to have 70% of children placed with relatives or close family friends, but it currently stands at approximately 47.5%. This figure reflects a significant increase from just 17% in 2010, yet it highlights the ongoing challenges within the system.
In March 2024, Victoria Woody received a life-changing call from an investigator at the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF). The agency sought her help in taking in her sister’s five children. Woody quickly agreed, despite the unexpected nature of the request while she was preparing for a business trip. She immediately began organizing her home to accommodate the children, ensuring safety and comfort for the younger ones, including a toddler and twins.
The decision to place children with relatives is known as a “kinship” placement within DCF. These arrangements aim to keep children within their familial networks, which research shows can have positive long-term effects, including improved mental health and school attendance. Ken Mysogland, DCF’s chief administrator of external affairs, emphasized the agency’s commitment to keeping children within their family systems when possible.
Connecticut set its ambitious kinship care goal in 2019 under the direction of former commissioner Vanessa Dorantes. The initiative aimed to build on the agency’s progress since 2010, when the kinship placement rate was just 17%. While the state has improved its standing—now surpassing the national average of 39%—it still lags behind states like Rhode Island, where approximately 73% of children are placed with kin.
The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced additional complications, as Mysogland noted that factors such as behavioral health issues and economic pressures have strained families’ abilities to care for children. Despite these challenges, the number of children in DCF care has decreased significantly, from 3,740 in December 2019 to 2,953 in December 2025.
While DCF has made strides in increasing kinship placements, the agency faces criticism regarding its approach. Some advocates express concern that hastily made placements may not adequately address the complex needs of children, potentially leading to instability in their care.
The journey to achieving a nearly 50% kinship care rate has involved evolving strategies and changing attitudes within DCF. In recent years, significant investments have been made to improve the system, particularly under the leadership of former commissioner Joette Katz. Katz actively sought to reduce reliance on congregate care settings and emphasized the importance of placing children with kin whenever possible.
Research supports the benefits of kinship placements. Children in these arrangements tend to maintain connections with their communities and educational systems, which can lead to better emotional and educational outcomes. However, challenges remain, including lower rates of adoption and reunification compared to traditional foster care.
As DCF continues to prioritize kinship placements, it has sought to streamline the licensing process for relatives willing to take in children. This includes immediate placements under emergency circumstances, as was the case for Woody. DCF aims to ensure that kinship caregivers receive the necessary resources and support, such as connecting them with programs like ConnectiKIN, which helps families access items and services they may need.
Woody’s experience as a kinship caregiver illustrates both the rewards and challenges of this system. Despite facing logistical hurdles and the complexities of caring for multiple children, she expressed no regrets about her decision to take in her nieces and nephews. The emotional bonds formed during their time together underscored the importance of family connections in the foster care system.
The path forward for Connecticut’s DCF involves addressing the concerns of both kinship and non-kinship foster families, ensuring that all caregivers receive the support and resources necessary to provide stable environments for children. As the agency works toward its kinship care goals, the focus remains on the well-being of the children and the vital role that family connections play in their development.
