Have a question concerning the Coronavirus and the Department of Children and Families? E-Mail us: DCF.COVID-19@ct.gov

Transitional Supports and Success

     CHEER
     Congregate Care
     Girls Services
     Human Anti-Trafficking Response Team (HART)
     Licensing
     Life Skills - Learning Inventory of Skills Training (L.I.S.T.)
     Mentoring
     Re-entry Services
     Resources and other helpful Information
     Service Information
     Summer Youth Employment
     VIDEOS:
          DCF YAB PSA Video Campaign (complete-13 videos)
          DCF-TV-Ep. 7:  "Doors To Hope and Healing" (Meet Me Where I'm At)
          "Meet Me Where I'm At "
          "No Place to Put my Stuff"
     Work-To-Learn
     Wilderness School
     Youth Advisory Board

____________________________________

Resources and other Helpful Information

     Georgetown University Center for Juvenile Justice Reform (CJJR) Report on DCF Parole Services
     Lawyers for Children America
     Simone Biles Legacy Scholarship Fund
     Youth Suicide Advisory Board (YSAB)

____________________________________

Service Information

     Children and Youth in Placement (Foster Care, TFC, Adoption, Permanency)
     Community Based Service Options (Available for Youth involved in JJ system)
     Congregate Care

____________________________________

Statewide Youth Advisory Board (YAB)

     Adolescent Bill of Rights & Expectations
     Adolescent Needs prior to Transitioning from Care
     Foster Care Family Services - Online Youth Survey
     Sibling Bill of Rights
     "Speak Up": Legal Rights in Care Brochure
     Transition Extension Application for Postsecondary Graduates (DCF-781)
     Youth Advisory Board - Vincent Espino First For Kids Award

Contact:  Steven.Smith@ct.gov or Office:  860-560-5091; Cell:  860-209-7253

DCF YAB "Meet Me Where I'm At "PSA Video Campaign  
 "Meet Me Where I'm At" Intro
 "Love" No. 1
 "Need to Belong" No. 2
 "Unique" No. 3
 "Advice" No. 4
 "Everyday Experiences" No. 5
 "Normalcy" No. 6
 "Second Chance" No. 7
 "Support Systems" No. 8
 "Make a Difference" No. 9
 "Match" No. 10
 “Impact” No. 11
 “I'm Asking You” No. 12

Watch our DCF TV Show entitled "Doors To Hope and Healing"

Season1,Episode7

____________________________________

 

Re-entry Services:   Re-Entry is available to youth who have left DCF care but were committed to the Department due to abuse/neglect/uncared for at the time of their 18th birthday.  Such youth may be eligible to re-enter care on a case-by-case basis in order to continue their education. 

 

 

CHEER:  Community Housing Employment Enrichment Resources (CHEER).  The Department may offer CHEER and provide financial assistance to youth who were committed (uncared for, abused, and neglected) and dually committed youth as of their 18th birthday who demonstrate strong motivation and ability to pursue a post-secondary employment training and career development program. DCF offers youth in care several living options coupled with support services to assist with their gradual move towards successful adult living. Housing options include but are not limited to: individual and shared apartments, boarding arrangements and on-site living arrangements offered by employment program.   Funding is based on available DCF budget appropriations and in accordance with this policy.

 

Summer Youth Employment: Summer youth employment (SYE) is a collaborative effort between DCF and Department of Labor (DOL) to provide gainful employment and work experience to DCF committed youth during a six week period in the summer. DCF provides funding to DOL to ensure that approximately 300 DCF committed youths (ages 14 to 18) are able to participate. In the spring of 2012 DCF and DOL began offering a year round work experience to DCF involved youth, who completed the summer employment program and wanted to continue through the school year.

 

Work to Learn:  The Work to Learn program is designed to insure that youth who will age out of the foster care have the skills and opportunities provided to them that will assist in a more successful transition to adulthood.  Each program provides a variety of employment and educational services   including; tutoring, academic assessment, job training, job shadowing and internships as well as youth business development, financial literacy, case management, clinical support, savings and asset development. These programs are available to DCF CW and JJ youth from ages 14-21 and sites include Hartford, Bridgeport, New Haven, Waterbury and Norwich.