Connecticut DCF Considered Removal Meetings are relatively new. The purpose is to give parents, parents and other family members the opportunity to be heard when DCF is thinking about removing a child pursuant to a 96 hour-hold or an Order of Temporary Custody from Juvenile Court. Essentially, these meetings recognize the importance of keeping children safe while attempting to maintain family connections and relationships.
These meetings are voluntary. In my experience, sometimes they are beneficial and other times not much is accomplished. Lawyers, service providers and others who may offer support to the parents are able to attend.
A DCF facilitator oversees the meeting. Naturally, the environment can be tense but these conferences are designed to be civil and give everyone a chance to state their position.
Considered Removal Meetings usually consist of two parts:
1. Does the child need to be removed? In others words, what can the parents do to alleviate DCF’s concerns and prevent removal. For example, agreeing to accept services such as counseling, submitting to an evaluation for mental health or substance abuse, prohibiting contact with an alleged perpetrator or signing releases so DCF can gather more information. If an agreement is reached, the terms will often be incorporated into a DCF Safety Plan or Service Agreement.
2. If DCF is going to remove the child, then the family can identify relatives or other suitable individuals as “placement resources.” Of course, this is preferred over placing the child in a non-relative, DCF licensed foster home. Therefore, parents should come prepared with names and addresses of potential placement options and discuss with these individuals their ability and willingness beforehand.
You may contact me by email or by calling my Fairfield office at (203) 259-5251 or in Stamford at (203) 356-1475 for a consultation about DCF Considered Removal Meetings.