Connecticut: Foster Youth Rights

About this resource

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) believes that every young person in foster care deserves to have their rights respected and protected. This Bill of Rights and Expectations is here to help make sure DCF, foster parents, and other caregivers support your safety, well-being, basic needs, and goals for the future.

While you are in care, you should have opportunities to grow, learn, and become your own person. You have the right to develop and express your own values, beliefs, hopes, plans, goals, culture, religion, spirituality, and identity. This includes your sexual orientation and gender identity, with support from the LGBTQ+ community if you want it. You should be able to do this in a safe, supportive, and caring environment where you feel respected and heard.

This Bill of Rights was created with input from young people on the DCF Youth Advisory Board, who shared their experiences and ideas to help make the foster care system better for youth in care now and in the future.