Over the past number of days, we all have been concerned for your family's safety. Connecticut has suffered severe effects as a result of Hurricane Sandy with thousands still without power and having to re-locate. We once again wanted to outreach to you and offer assistance.  

Safety and Support

Our staff has been calling families to make sure that you are safe. Please contact your support worker, social work supervisor or program manager in the Regional Office if you have not already spoken to them, to report your current whereabouts and to advise us if there is anything you may need. For emergencies afterhours and on the weekends, you can contact the 24 hour Careline at 1-800-842-2288.

Now is an especially important time for the foster and adoptive parent community to come together. Please reach out to families you know and offer support. Calling them, bringing families together, and even offering to care for their children if they need a short break can go far towards reducing stress. We remain particularly concerned about our relative providers and those families caring for medically complex children. Your outreach is much appreciated.  

Generators

If you have a child that is technology dependent, you should have a backup generator. If not, please immediately contact the DCF staff mentioned above to arrange emergency finances to purchase one.

Dangers of Carbon Monoxide, Drinking Water and Spoiled Food

As power outages continue, we continue to rely on generator power and are seeing an increase in the number of carbon monoxide poisonings. Gasoline-powered generators release carbon monoxide (CO) which can be deadly. If your power goes out and you are using a gasoline-powered generator for energy, be sure that the generator is installed safely and far from your home. Never use your generator, charcoal or gas grills, gas lanterns or camping stoves indoors or in an enclosed area, like a garage. Gas stoves can produce carbon monoxide. DO NOT use your gas oven to heat your home.

We are also experiencing questionable conditions that impact drinking water and the spoiling of food.

Please take a few moments to review the precautions on the Department of Public Health Website at   www.ct.gov./dph and click on "Hurricane Sandy: Important Health Information".  

FEMA Assistance

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is available to assist you in many ways. Disaster assistance is financial or direct assistance to individuals and families whose property has been damaged or destroyed as a result of a federally-declared disaster, and whose losses are not covered by insurance. To inquire further, please call 1-800-621-FEMA or look on their website at www.disasterassistance.gov.

We all must remain strong in these very difficult times and there are many services and programs to assist you. Thank you once again for all that you do each and every day!

Ken Mysogland

Director - Office of Foster Care and Adoption Services