When we can do so safely, we keep children with their families and provide services and supports to help the families get back on track.

Sometimes, however, a judge determines that a child cannot safely stay home — at that time. When that happens, the judge will grant temporary custody to someone else, in the following order:

1. A non-custodial parent;
2. A close relative;
3. Another relative or person known to the child; or
4. The DCF Commissioner.

When a judge grants legal custody to the DCF Commissioner, this means the child is in DCF Custody and we are reponsible for finding a safe, temporary place for the child to live.

How You Can Help

There are several ways you can help children and families in your community:

• Adoption
  On any given day in Vermont, there are about 60 children waiting in foster care for families to adopt them.
• Foster & Kinship Foster Care
  Foster parents provide safe, stable, and nurturing homes for children, while Family Services works with the parents and extended family members.
• Permanent Guardianship
  Permanent guardianship is a legal relationship, created in Family Court, between a child and relative or family friend.
• Respite Care
  Respite provides foster parents with much-needed breaks and children with opportunities to experience new things and develop new relationships.