Gov. Malloy Voices Support for DCF and Its Commissioner

The spotlight has been on Connecticut's Department of Children and Families in recent weeks after troubling video showed DCF staff improperly restraining youths at the state's two juvenile detention facilities. Despite the latest controversy,  Governor Dannel Malloy remains supportive of the agency's commissioner.

Speaking on WNPR's Where We Live, Malloy pointed to the decrease of delinquent youths being sent to institutions like the Connecticut Juvenile Training School, or to out-of-state facilities, under the leadership of Commissioner Joette Katz over the last few years. He said Katz has a tough job.

"The hardest job in America is not being governor, and it's not being mayor or superintendent of schools, or police chief. It's being the person that's head of DCF," Malloy said. "Because you know, there's so much conflict, so much going on -- there are so many young people at risk. That no matter what you do, there are going to be problems."

Credit State of Connecticut

/

State of Connecticut

Malloy said he never would have supported the opening of the Juvenile Training School, a place where some delinquent male youths are sent. It was opened under former Governor John Rowland's administration in 2001. However, he said some of the youths committed to DCF need intensive help.

"There are some number of people of any age who are truly dangerous. A danger to themselves and a danger to others. And finding the most compassionate way to deal with those folks and getting them as much help as possible and keeping both the caregiver and the care receiver safe is always a hard question."

Since the Office of Child Advocate released a report on the improper use of restraints and video of the incidents, DCF has banned the use of prone restraints or when youths are restrained face-down. The agency said it's working to improve staff training.

Legislators have also held several hearings focused on DCF. Some have questioned whether the Juvenile Training School and the Pueblo unit for delinquent girls, both in Middletown, should be closed.