Connecticut Educational Neglect Investigations usually starts with the school or other local education agency referring the case to DCF by filing a form 136.
The 136 will include the following:
- Specific dates of unexcused absences
- The efforts made by the school to address the child’s attendance such as scheduling conferences with the parents
- Any referrals to outside agencies and community based services to help the family.
DCF will then evaluate whether or not to open a case. If a child is under age 11 and has school attendance issues it will always result in DCF action since there is a presumption that parents are fully responsible for meeting the educational needs of young children. DCF considers a pattern of unexcused absences to be Educational Neglect.
If the child is over age 11, DCF will evaluate whether the child is responsible for the absenteeism or whether to hold the parent(s) accountable.
Here are some examples of parental behavior that will be concerning to DCF:
- Not enrolling a child in school
- Not assuring the child gets to school
- Keeping the child home
- Failing to cooperate with school efforts to address attendance
- Refusing to comply with recommended services for the child and family
- Not meeting the requirements for home based educational instruction.
DCF tends to hang around for awhile when they investigate Educational Neglect. They will want to see compliance with recommendations and of course improved school attendance over an extended period of time.
DCF Educational Neglect Investigations
I represent clients in Connecticut Family Court and Divorce proceedings though out Fairfield County including those who reside in Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Trumbull, Stratford, Bridgeport, Westport, Weston, New Canaan, Wilton, Norwalk, Darien, Stamford and Greenwich.
Contact me online or call me in my Fairfield office at (203) 259-5251 or in my Stamford office at (203) 356-1475 to discuss your options if you are under Investigation by Connecticut DCF for Educational Neglect.