Prospective foster and adoptive parents are welcome at any Open House listed on our website. Please call one of the regional coordinators listed at the bottom of this newsletter or

for more information or to schedule an individual appointment.

 Click here for the most current listing of open houses across the state.

 Click on the calendar at right to see FAM events. 

Check out all the great information we've been posting on Facebook recently!

•  Change is coming! DCF introduces program to extend care to more foster children
• June is National Reunification Month. Rise Magazine publishes stories written by families whose children have entered the child welfare system. This month they celebrate 3 moms who worked hard to reunify with their children. "I Feel Good that I Never Gave Up!"
• For any of you parenting children on the autism spectrum, this is a great blog to follow. The Honorary Swamp Guard
• Celebrate fathers at the 2nd annual Dads Matter Too! 5K and Community Awareness Day. Event will be held on September 21 in Waterbury. Dads Matter Too 5K Road Race and Community Event   
• Johnny Callas is a Connecticut DCF social worker with a passion for boxing. What a great story! Boxing As Social Work
•  Amazing how the smallest of gestures can turn out to help change a young person's life... Three Moments That Helped Me in Foster Care     

There are so many places to go in CT and nearby states that we could not name them all. Here is just a taste of some kid-friendly day trips that you could try.       

Institute for American Indian Studies: Washington, CT With both indoor and outdoor exhibits, this museum is a good choice rain or shine! 

 Mystic Aquarium: Mystic, CT - Great for any age. Big Y cardholders take advantage of discounts available. Check with your local library for discounted passes. 

Hot Air Balloon Festival, Plainville, CT - This year the festival will be held on August 22-24. 

Imagine Nation Museum: Bristol, CT - Great for the 10 and under crowd, this museum is hands on. On Friday July 11th in celebration of National Ice Cream Month a variety of delicious hands-on activities and sweet treats will be available!  

Dinosaur State Park: Rocky Hill, CT - Dinosaur Park Day Celebration will be Saturday, August 16, 2014, from 10-3pm. Celebrate the discovery of the tracks in 1966 with music, games, crafts, and live animal presentations. All outdoor activities are free.The exhibit center will not charge admission during the celebration.

CT Science Center: Hartford, CT - More than 150 exhibits for ages 6 through adult. Check out the Giants of Patagonia 3D movie experience.

CT Dino Trail: a multiple site experience for the dinosaur enthusiast! Purchase a passport for all dino themed parks/exhibits and take your time exploring!

Beardsley Zoo: Bridgeport, CT - See more than 300 animals representing primarily North and South American species. Check out the Red, White & Blue Animal Scavenger Hunt on the 4th of July!

Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk: Check out the Lorikeets exhibit featuring more than 50 free-flying lorikeets, which are colorful medium-sized parrots native to the south Pacific.  

Bronx Zoo: Bronx, NY -  Admission on Wednesday is by pay-what-you-wish donation. Wednesdays can be crowded. Be sure to get there early!

Misquamicut State Beach: Misquamicut, RI - One of Rhode Island's most popular beaches with over a half mile of beach front, there are also many local attractions for children. 

Old Sturbridge Village: Sturbridge, MA - Up to 5 kids age 17 and under receive free admission to OSV this summer during July and August when accompanied by an adult paying full price admission.  

Fire and Ice Day - July 19- Antique fire trucks parade around the common. Visitors can try 19th-century hand-pump fire trucks and compete in several events. Local vendors will also compete in the Best Chili in History contest in which visitors vote on their favorite chili. The ice component will be represented by ice cream making with old-fashioned tools and recipes. 

CT State Parks: Tour Connecticut by choosing different state parks every week! Every park has a different "flavor" to it and offers diverse experiences. Don't forget - licensed families who are currently caring for a child are entitled to a free state park pass. Contact Jennifer Rivera at CAFAP via email if you did not receive your state park pass letter.