© 2024 Connecticut Public

FCC Public Inspection Files:
WEDH · WEDN · WEDW · WEDY · WNPR
WPKT · WRLI-FM · WEDW-FM · Public Files Contact
ATSC 3.0 FAQ
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Joette Katz on Challenges and Changes at DCF

Chion Wolf
Joette Katz

  Our guest this hour, DCF Commissioner Joette Katz, was at the center of a public hearing this week at the state capitol in the wake of two reports critical of the state’s juvenile detention facilities.

Last month, the state child advocate joined Where We Liveto talk about her report, saying that among other things, children in DCF’s care were being unlawfully restrained and put in solitary confinement.

The second report, by a national juvenile justice expert, and paid for by DCF, highlighted some successes of the state program, but raised questions about the adequacy of mental health services.

In response,DCF has put out their own action plan for reforms, including better suicide prevention practices, banning certain restraints, and better mental health treatment.

GUEST: 

  • Joette Katz - Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families 
  • Robert Kinscherff - Senior Associate at the National Center for Mental Health and Juvenile Justice and a former official in Massachusetts' juvenile court system and mental health agency. Consultant for DCF. 

Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

Catie Talarski is Senior Director of Storytelling and Radio Programming at Connecticut Public.

Stand up for civility

This news story is funded in large part by Connecticut Public’s Members — listeners, viewers, and readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

We hope their support inspires you to donate so that we can continue telling stories that inform, educate, and inspire you and your neighbors. As a community-supported public media service, Connecticut Public has relied on donor support for more than 50 years.

Your donation today will allow us to continue this work on your behalf. Give today at any amount and join the 50,000 members who are building a better—and more civil—Connecticut to live, work, and play.

Related Content