Dare came to Connecticut in 1999 after providing foster care to a number of Connecticut youth in our Massachusetts programs. Since then we have grown to serve as many as 67 children at a time. Dare has foster parents in the greater Hartford area and also in Windham, Tolland and Middlesex counties.

Dare provides Therapeutic Foster Care to children referred by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF). These children have histories of severe trauma and, consequently, special needs. They need care above and beyond what the state can provide. DCF therefore refers these children to private providers like Dare, whose foster parents receive specialized training and ongoing support. Dare implements a team approach to parent these deserving youth.

“Dare foster parents really enjoy being part of our organization. Not only do they enjoy helping children, but they are learning skills and recognizing themselves as part of a professional team. One parent shared that she knew she would be bringing something to the life of a child but had no idea how much Dare was going to bring to her life,” said Jeremy Smith, the Connecticut program director and a Dare employee for over 22 years. “Dare parents are not in this alone and receive training and ongoing support by a very available, dedicated and experienced staff.”