Gov. Dannel P. Malloy made the right decision in reappointing Joette Katz as the commissioner of the Department of Children and Families. The legislature should approve her appointment.

Commissioner Katz has not let fear of failure inhibit her from transforming an agency that prior to her tenure was too quick to remove children from their families and into foster homes or institutional care, often out of state.

Removing children from troubled families is typically the safer option - for the DCF. If the agency allows a child to remain with family and something bad happens, the agency can expect criticism. In the past, the agency chose to play it safe, using a laundry list of rules to disqualify relatives or others close to the child from assuming custody.

The research shows that in the vast majority of cases a child removed from a home is better off if placed in the custody of a relative or close family associate. Another benefit is that the chances of these children exiting the system improve.

Commissioner Katz, who left her position as a state Supreme Court associate justice to take control of the agency in January 2011, made it clear to her staff she wanted to try to keep kids with families, even if it meant making exceptions to the rules.

The results are dramatic.

In December 2010, there were 362 children in out-of-state care, today there are 14.

During her tenure, the percentage of children in DCF care who live with a relative or close family associate grew from 21 percent to 36 percent.

The number of kids in group-home care has dipped 55 percent, a reduction of 781 children.

Children in DCF care decreased 16 percent.

The agency has achieved these milestones despite seeing its budget cut 20 percent over the last six years, a $195 million reduction, according to The Connecticut Mirror.

Commissioner Katz has her critics, because sometimes these cases end in tragedy. Her agency only makes headlines when things go wrong. In addition, DCF remains under the constraints and review imposed by a federal court order dating back 24 years.

Gov. Malloy recognizes, however, that his commissioner has DCF moving in the right direction. Lawmakers should recognize that as well.