There are numerous ways you can help strengthen Connecticut’s foster, adoptive, and kinship care families:
Become a foster or adoptive parent
At any given time there are over to 3,000 children/youth in the care of the Connecticut Department of Children and Families due to abuse, neglect or abandonment. CAFAF and DCF work together to recruit foster families to provide safe caring homes as DCF and the courts plan for their future.
We invite you to inquire today. Call 1-888-KID-HERO or request information.
Join Our Board
The CAFAF Board of Directors includes leaders from both nonprofit and for-profit sectors, many of whom are foster or adoptive parents, and are committed to our mission. This is an extraordinary opportunity for individuals who are passionate about supporting foster, adoptive, and kinship care families.
Donate to CAFAF
Your donations – whether to CAFAF’s General Fund, the Children’s Hope Fund, or the Ascend Scholarship, help support CAFAF’s vital work throughout Connecticut. We accept donations via credit or debit card online, through PayPal, and by check. You can also opt to sign up for iGive, which allows us to receive a donated percentage of your online purchases from participating stores.
CAFAF Back to School 2026 Supply Drive
Help a Child Start the School Year Ready to Succeed!
CAFAF’s Back to School Supply Drive is officially underway, and we need your help to ensure youth in foster, adoptive, and kinship families have the supplies they need for a successful school year.
The easiest way to support our mission is by shopping directly from our Amazon Wish List! Your purchase will be shipped directly to CAFAF, making it quick and easy to give.
Amazon Wish List:
We’re collecting items such as:
Backpacks
Notebooks & Binders
Pencils & Pens
Crayons & Colored Pencils
Erasers & Sharpeners
…and more!
Prefer to donate in person? We’d love to accept your new school supplies! Please call or text 860-882-8134 to arrange a convenient drop-off time at our office.
Donations are being accepted through August 17, 2026.
Every donation helps a child walk into school feeling confident, prepared, and ready to learn. Thank you for making a difference!
Avenue of Dreams
Each year, our Avenue of Dreams event provides up to 175 foster and adopted youth, ages 13-19, with free prom dresses, tuxedos, suits, shoes, makeup, and accessories. If you would like to help, you can donate items, host a donation drive, volunteer, and help us spread the word!
Attend a Conference
CAFAF offers four yearly conferences, ranging from one-day symposiums to the two-day Annual Conference. These events draw on skilled, experienced child welfare experts and offer unique opportunities for networking and learning. See our calendar for more details.
Become a Legislative Advocacy volunteer
CAFAF legislative advocacy tracks bills, legislation and issues relevant to foster, adoptive and relative caregivers. Effective Legislative Advocacy helps influence those who make the laws and policies concerning children and families. It doesn’t matter what party you support – when you get involved, you can make a difference.