(HARTFORD, CONN. WTIC)-The Department of Children and Families has reduced the number of children placed in foster care by seventeen percent over the last two years, officials said.
"One of the radical changes made over the years is to be clear why children have to be removed from their homes and shifting that focus from removing them for being at risk to removing them because they're not safe, " said D-C-F Deputy Commissioner Michael Williams.
Further, Williams said the Department implemented a racial justice lens to crystalize actions to ensure work wasn't being done with a racial bias that resulted in disproportionally Black and Latino kids coming into Foster Care.
"The urgency of this being done under a racial justice lens is what this administration has brought to bear, resulting in more reductions in the last two years than before," said Williams.
D-C-f offers support for behavioral health, parenting and housing.
The Agency is celebrating Family Day with an event this afternoon in New Haven.