The Department of Children and Families (DCF) has been a partner with Senator Crisco in this collaboration since its beginning in 1997.   In the spirit of Family Day, DCF is committed to taking a community, strengths-based, culturally competent, flexible, family-focused and comprehensive approach toward prevention.   

It goes without saying that regularly spending time with one's family is  the most important thing a parent can do, whether it's sharing at least one meal per week, a family movie night or perhaps a bowling or miniature golf outing.  It's extremely important that families set aside some time each and every week to spend together.

Families operate as part of a total system.  Children cannot be viewed as separate from their families, nor can families be viewed separately from their communities, their cultural heritage, or the society at large.  While the primary responsibility for the development and well being of children lies within the family, all segments of society must support these families as they rear their children.  Families are empowered when they have access to information and other resources and take action to improve the well-being of children, families and our communities.

Family Day 2008 can help to achieve this task with events that are planned all around the state of Connecticut.  Most of these events will be held during the months of September and October 2008 . All events will be listed on the Family Day Calendar of events. (Follow this link to the Family Day calendar )

Today, we know that times are tough for many families, especially with the high cost of gas, energy, food and heating.   It sometimes may be difficult to find extra money, but  I am happy to say that many Family Day events are free or low cost and open to all.

Families come in all sizes, colors, religions, ethnicities and compositions, including step-families, extended families, blended families, married opposite-sexed parent families, single parent families, adoptive families, foster families, same-sex parent families, and divorced parent families.  DCF strongly supports and values all families and I encourage you and your family to participate in one of the many Family Day events and spend time with the ones you love.