Conn. (WFSB) – The Department of Children and Families is responding to a child advocate report that exposed multiple shortcomings at the agency
DCF’s Commissioner admits there are several things they need to improve.
Child Advocate Christina Ghio released her report in April, saying although she had ongoing concerns, she had been shocked by the death of a child who died by suicide just an hour after meeting with DCF. The report says the child told DCF workers they didn’t feel safe and requesting to be taken into foster care. In her report, the Child Advocate found DCF staff are currently permitted to work remotely 80% of the time, with prior approval. The report went on to make several recommendations, including limiting remote work.
DCF Commissioner Susan Hamilton, put into the position in September, says moving forward; remote work will only be approved based on a social worker’s case performance and meeting DCF standards.
They also say all new hires will work 100% in person for at least the first 6 months. The agency admitted a new case management <a href="https://bitcomme.com/the-best-small-business-crm-software-weve-tested-for-2026/” title=”The Best Small Business CRM Software We've Tested for 2026″>software they put in last August, called CT KIND, left essential tracking reports and automated safety alerts unavailable to staff. They say “most are now available”.
To combat burnout and free up social workers to do actual field evaluations, DCF says they are immediately filling all vacant case aid positions and making them full time.
DCF admits one of its “structured decision-making tools” failed to evaluate whether an endangered child had access to mandated reporters like teachers or doctors; DCF says they are working with the system to update.
DCF says they are moving forward with creating a real-time data public dashboard that will track daily abuse reports, individual social worker caseloads and more. It was legislatively mandated this past year.
DCF did disagree with the advocate’s recommendation to build a dedicated residential facility for girls at risk of sex trafficking. The Commissioner argued that housing these vulnerable girls in one group setting creates a high-risk recruiting ground for traffickers.
DCF declined an interview for this story, saying their responses to the Child Advocate were thorough.
DCF’s full response can be found here:
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