Connecticut Lawmakers Question DCF Nominee on Child Welfare Concerns

Interim Commissioner Susan Hamilton faces criticism over issues like caseworker turnover and high-profile abuse cases.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 6:36pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Lawmakers in Connecticut questioned Gov. Ned Lamont's nominee to lead the state's child welfare agency, Susan Hamilton, about whether the Department of Children and Families (DCF) is doing enough to protect children from harm and ensure proper care for those in the foster system. Hamilton faced criticism over issues such as caseworker turnover, mental health support for children, homeschooling, and two high-profile abuse cases that have brought the agency under scrutiny.

Why it matters

The hearing highlighted ongoing concerns about the performance and transparency of Connecticut's child welfare agency, which has faced criticism over its handling of cases involving vulnerable children. Lawmakers are pushing for the agency to improve outcomes, increase accountability, and better support children and families.

The details

During the hearing, lawmakers questioned Hamilton about issues such as caseworker turnover, which can be as high as 50% in the first two years, as well as the agency's response to high-profile abuse cases. In one case, a Waterbury man was allegedly locked away for decades, while in another, 11-year-old Jaquelyn 'Mimi' Torres-García's body was found after she was pulled out of the public school system to be homeschooled. Hamilton acknowledged the need for the agency to improve transparency and use data to measure progress, but some lawmakers expressed concerns about her lack of a clear vision for the agency's future.

  • The hearing took place on Thursday, March 13, 2026.
  • Hamilton was appointed as interim DCF Commissioner in September, after her predecessor, Jodi Hill-Lilly, left the agency.

The players

Susan Hamilton

Interim Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF). She previously served as DCF Commissioner from 2007 to 2011 under Gov. M. Jodi Rell.

Ned Lamont

The Governor of Connecticut, who appointed Hamilton as the interim DCF Commissioner.

Ceci Maher

Co-Chair of the Connecticut Children's Committee, who questioned whether Hamilton is too entrenched in the system to see clearly where DCF needs to improve.

Dave Yaccarino

A Republican state representative from North Haven, Connecticut, who expressed concern about caseworker turnover at DCF.

Jaquelyn 'Mimi' Torres-García

An 11-year-old girl whose body was found in New Britain, Connecticut, after she was pulled out of the public school system to be homeschooled.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's about outcomes. We need to be able to measure what we're all doing, what are we collectively setting as the goal for all of us. When we're saying we want to see things improve, we need to have ways of measuring that, and that's something that's really important to me.”

— Susan Hamilton, Interim Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Children and Families

“I'm not seeing the passion or the vision for what you see the future could be. And that, to me, is very, very concerning.”

— Ceci Maher, Co-Chair, Connecticut Children's Committee

“There's got to be something specific, like targeted. Why are these incidents happening?”

— Dave Yaccarino, State Representative, North Haven, Connecticut

What’s next

The Connecticut Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee will next vote on Hamilton's nomination before it can move forward to the full legislature for approval.

The takeaway

The hearing highlighted ongoing challenges within Connecticut's child welfare system, including issues around caseworker retention, transparency, and the agency's response to high-profile abuse cases. Lawmakers are pressing the DCF nominee to articulate a clear vision for improving outcomes and accountability for the agency.