To the Editor:The Newtown Bee ("Fostering Genius: Budding Creative Finds An Accepting Home In Newtown") about the wonderful contributions being made by Nancy Henne Schreiner and her husband, John. I appreciate the paper raising awareness about the importance of families coming forward to provide homes to teenagers in state care. In addition, we are truly blessed to have families like the Schreiners who are so loving and committed to caring for children at a time when they are most in need.

As commissioner of the Department and Children and Families I am convinced that the work of promoting the safety and well-being of children in Connecticut is a team effort. All of us have a role, and the department cannot possibly do this work alone if we are going to be most effective in meeting our obligations to families and children.

Therefore, I was delighted to read the story in

The department has made great strides these last six years in reducing the number of children in care, increasing the use of relatives and kin to provide family homes for children in care, and reducing our reliance on institutional settings for children in care. Indeed the increase in the use of relatives and kin directly corresponds to the decrease in institutional placements. In order to continue the rapid and significant improvements, however, we really need to focus on finding families for the older youth as teenagers make up about half of the children in care and nearly all the children in institutional settings.

So people like the Schreiners are among the very most important partners we can have in our work. It is truly inspiring when I read Ms Schreiner's comments about feeling blessed to provide care for children in need. Notice, please, that I did not say I am surprised to hear it, however. In fact, foster (and adoptive) parents tell me all the time about the joys of opening heart and home to our children. It is a tremendous testament to what wonderful people they are that our foster and adoptive parents get as much as they give from the experience. Fostering or adopting a teenager is a transformative event that will give real meaning and joy to your life.

So thank you for this opportunity to ask that others in your community also consider becoming a foster or adoptive parent. You can find out how by visiting ctfosteradopt.com or calling 888-KID-HERO.

Joette Katz

Commissioner, Department of Children and Families

Hartford        February 17, 2017