Tracking My Story

(Your Legal Evidence)

  • Make Your Own "What Happened" Journal

    • What it is: Grab a plain piece of paper or a notebook. Whenever something happens that feels unfair, or a worker makes a promise, write it down right away! Your paper journal is real legal proof your legal aide can use to back you up.

    • How to do it on paper: Write down these 3 quick things:

      1. The Date & Time (When did it happen?)

      2. Who Was There (Who said or did it?)

      3. What Happened (Write down the exact words they said).

  • The Screen-Shot Tracker (Texts, Calls & Emails)

    • Why it matters: Your phone screen holds powerful proof. If you text your worker, email your lawyer, or call your family and no one answers, do not delete it! Take a quick screenshot of the text or the call log. Saving these pictures proves to a judge exactly how long you have been waiting for help.

Emergency Escalations & Safe Problem Solvers

  • The DCF Ombudsman Help Office

    • What you get: If your caseworker is not returning your calls, your foster home is breaking rules, or you feel completely ignored by DCF, you can report it here. This is a special, neutral office whose only job is to investigate your complaints and force the agency to fix the issue.

    • Direct Link: Submit a Direct Complaint to the CT DCF Ombudsman Office

  • The Child Advocate State Watchdog Helpline

    • What you get: If you are in a group home, foster home, or state facility and you feel unsafe or feel like your rights are being completely violated, this independent state watchdog team will look into it. They have the power to step in from outside DCF to protect your safety.

    • Direct Link: Get Immediate Help from the Connecticut Office of the Child Advocate

  • The National Foster Youth Action Network