In March 2024, Victoria Woody received an urgent call from the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF), asking if she could take in her sister’s five children that very day. Without hesitation, she agreed, recognizing the importance of keeping the family together despite the challenges of suddenly caring for six children. This scenario reflects Connecticut’s ongoing efforts to prioritize kinship care, an arrangement where children are placed with relatives or close family friends when they cannot remain with their parents.
The DCF has set a goal to increase its kinship care placement rate to 70%, a target established by former commissioner Vanessa Dorantes. This initiative aims to enhance the stability and well-being of children, as research shows that kinship placements can lead to better mental health outcomes and academic performance. Currently, about 47.5% of children in DCF care are placed with relatives or “fictive kin.”
Despite some progress, Connecticut has not yet achieved its ambitious goal. As of now, the state remains above the national average of 39% for kinship placements, outperforming neighboring Massachusetts, which also stands at 39%. Nonetheless, states like Rhode Island have already exceeded Connecticut’s kinship care target, with approximately 73% of children in such placements.
Challenges in Achieving Kinship Care Goals
Ken Mysogland, DCF’s chief administrator of external affairs, acknowledged that the COVID-19 pandemic has complicated the agency’s efforts. Increased behavioral health needs among children, a rising cost of living, and community unrest have all hindered families’ abilities to care for children, whether their own or others’. Nevertheless, DCF has successfully reduced the total number of children in its care from 3,740 in December 2019 to 2,953 in December 2025, a positive sign according to Mysogland.
While the emphasis on kinship care is rooted in a desire to keep children within familial systems, it has garnered criticism. Some advocates worry that the push for kinship placements may lead to children being placed with relatives ill-equipped to handle their complex needs. This concern reflects a broader debate within child welfare about balancing the urgency of keeping families together with ensuring children’s safety and well-being.
The process of transitioning to kinship care has evolved significantly since 2010, when only 17% of DCF placements were with kin. This shift has been influenced by changing attitudes within the agency and a federal push to improve family unification.
Support Systems for Kinship Caregivers
DCF has implemented various programs to support kinship caregivers like Woody. The agency facilitates a quick placement process, allowing relatives to take in children immediately after passing background checks, while also providing resources and assistance through ConnectiKIN, a program designed to help families meet the immediate needs of children coming into their homes.
Woody’s experience underscores the emotional complexities of kinship care. Despite not having seen her older nieces and nephews in years, she felt a deep commitment to keeping the children together. “At the end of the day, you have each other,” Woody said, reflecting on the importance of family bonds during difficult times.
The agency’s emphasis on kinship placements has been informed by substantial research indicating that children placed with relatives tend to maintain more stable relationships and experience fewer behavioral problems. Furthermore, kinship care can alleviate the trauma associated with removal from birth parents, as children often feel more comfortable with relatives.
Yet, the path to achieving higher kinship placement rates is not without obstacles. Some relatives, like Woody, are thrust into caregiving without prior experience or preparation. The process of becoming a licensed caregiver can be daunting, but DCF has worked to streamline requirements and provide necessary support.
As Connecticut continues to navigate the complexities of child welfare, the agency remains committed to its kinship care goals while recognizing the need for balanced solutions that address the needs of all children in its system. The experience of caregivers like Woody highlights both the challenges and rewards of kinship placements, as families strive to provide stability and love in uncertain times.
Ultimately, the success of Connecticut’s kinship care initiative will depend on the ongoing collaboration between DCF, kinship caregivers, and the broader community to ensure that all children have the opportunity to thrive in safe and supportive environments.
