Race issues & CT child welfare agency

Hartford (AP) - A group of Hartford activists went door to door Sunday, trying to persuade residents in the North End to refuse services from Connecticut's Department of Children and Families.

The organization, known as Men of Color, is attempting to create a "No-DCF Zone," hoping to draw attention to what they say is a lack of minority input into a state agency whose clientele are more often black and Hispanic than not.

DCF Commissioner Susan Hamilton says she's concerned there is "a collective effort to interfere" with some of the agency's child protection functions.

While families are not required to cooperate with a DCF investigation into alleged abuse or neglect, Hamilton says the agency may have to get a court order to complete investigations, if the "No-DCF Zone" protest persists.