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STATE OF CONNECTICUT TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF) STATE PLAN 2024-2026
Effective Date: 10/1/23 – 9/30/26 ☐ Initial Submission Date: 12/31/2023 ☒ Revision Date: 04/15/2024 Page: 40
STATUTORY RAPE – SECTION A – PART VI
Sec. 402(a)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act
(vi) – The Statutory Rape part describes how the state intends to conduct a program, designed to reach state and local law enforcement officials, the education system, and relevant counseling services, that provides education and training on the problem of statutory rape so that teenage pregnancy prevention programs may be expanded in scope to include men.
The statutory rape laws in Connecticut, in accordance with Connecticut General Statutes, are enforced throughout the state. State agencies work together on implementation of protocol for referral of statutory rape cases. In addition, the Department of Social Services (DSS) has notified its employees that information pertaining to any possible case of statutory rape should be referred to the Department of Children and Families (DCF) for investigation of possible child abuse. DCF may further refer the case to the Chief State’s Attorney’s Office for prosecution. DSS also encourages the victim and their family to report the case to the Chief State’s Attorney’s Office.
The Department directly funds two statewide programs with several regional contractors and sites that contribute to the education and explanation of statutory responsibilities for males pertaining to reproductive rights. This added service is in addition to the core scope of service provided by each program/contractor. These two programs and contractors are as follows:
1. Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Program – See Page 35 of this State Plan for a narrative description.
2. Family Planning Services – services defined as educational and comprehensive medical/social services which enable individuals, including minors to determine the number and spacing of their children. Specific component services include general reproductive health care and counseling. Planned Parenthood is the statewide contractor. They have a number of sites throughout the state to provide accessibility to clients.