DCF: Young Children in Foster Care

The Early Childhood Consultation Partnership (ECCP^®) has developed several series of one-page resources called Tips for Tots.

The Young Children in Foster Care series focuses on the child who is in foster care and addresses common issues that a young child between the ages of birth through five may experience while in their foster care setting. Each tip sheet provides the DCF social worker with education around developmental norms and recommended techniques to support the specialized social and emotional needs of these young children. A variety of practical strategies and additional resources for working with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in foster care is also provided for the social worker so that they may better support foster families caring for these children. The strategies provided can be utilized by any DCF social worker or foster parent that is working with a child involved with the foster care system or who is at risk of being in foster care.

Young Children in Foster Care Topics Include:

• Supporting Children with Incarcerated Parents
• Building Attachment in Young Children
• Welcoming a Foster Child Into Your Home
• Trauma and Resiliency in Young Children
• Supporting Young Children Who Witness Domestic Violence
• Supporting Young Children with Transitions
• Supporting Development in Young Children

For more information about the Tips for Tots series or the Early Childhood Consultation Partnership (ECCP^®) services, please contact ECCP^® at (860) 704-6378. ECCP^® is a statewide early childhood mental health consultation program that is offered at no cost to families, providers and early care and education providers. ECCP^® is funded by the Department of Children and Families and is managed by Advanced Behavioral Health Inc.