Marilyn Moore

Moore Leads Senate Passage of Bill to Protect Children, Increase DCF Transparency

Senator Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport) today brought a bill to the floor of the Senate that would strengthen the state’s ability to protect and provide for its children by increasing the independence and transparency of the state Department of Children and Families.

Senate Bill 894 creates a State Oversight Council on Children and Families in place of the State Advisory Council on Children and Families, and requires the Council to report annually to a joint standing committee of the General Assembly having knowledge of matters relating to children.

“It’s important to have a legislative structure in place as Connecticut moves closer to compliance with the Juan F. consent decree. An independent oversight council with diverse and multi-disciplinary membership will help to strengthen our ability to protect and provide for the most vulnerable children in our state,” Sen. Moore, Co-chair of the Committee on Children, said.

SB 894 will help set child welfare priorities, identify key performance and outcome measures for the well-being and safety of children, and establish a framework for transparency and accountability for publicly funded child welfare programs.

Acknowledging the importance of facilitating conversations between agencies, providers, and advocates that serve children, the Council would consist of 19 members, including government officials, childcare professionals, judicial officials, individuals served by DCF, and other stakeholders. This will help not only to maintain the progress made under the Juan F. consent decree, but will also continue to further improve the systems that serve our most vulnerable children.

The bill passed unanimously in the Senate at 12:44 a.m. Thursday.