East Haven Representative Sen. Fasano Questions Malloy's Cuts to DCF in Rescission Plan

State Sen. Len Fasano (R-34), incoming Senate Minority Leader, questioned Governor Malloy’s decision to cut $9.2 million from the Department of Children and Families (DCF) as part of his rescission plan announced yesterday.

“I am astonished that this administration’s answer to a staggering deficit is to cut funding from one of the most struggling state agencies. DCF provides services that are a core function of government. They are responsible for protecting each and every child in Connecticut, a task that has proved to be both challenging and in need of stronger resources,” Fasano said in a press release.

Fasano cited a $455,125 cut to child abuse and neglect intervention, a $415,039 cut to community based prevention programs and a $94,610 cut to family violence outreach and counseling, which are all programs focused on preventing child fatalities. The Senator also cited a $6 million cut to residential board and care for children.

“The administration doesn’t stop there,” Fasano said in the release, “In a state where recent group home closings have triggered a crisis in which thousands of children and families are left with no place to turn for care and are flooding emergency rooms, these cuts are devastating. Our hospitals are strained, our families need help, and now the administration is exacerbating an already intense situation.”

In July, a federal oversight report from the Juan F. Federal Court monitor’s office reported that the state has underfunded community programs at a time when large numbers of needy children are being diverted from institutions. DCF has recently closed at least six group homes serving high needs children. The court monitor’s report also found “deficits in staffing and service resource levels” that have led to a regression in the quality of DCF’s abuse investigations as well as its case management and care coordination.

“Now is not the time to be crippling DCF any more than it already is. Rescissions to vital DCF programs are unconscionable, and I am disappointed in the administration for focusing cuts on those most in need,” Fasano said.

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