DCF Investigations are usually triggered by a call to the DCF Hotline. Often a mandated reporter, like a counselor or school social worker, makes the call. During the call, a “Hotline Worker” will gather information to determine whether the case is serious enough to warrant opening a case. If a case is opened, it will…
DCF Service Agreements (also known as Safety Plans) are part of many Investigations. They are usually discussed during DCF’s initial home visit. The form itself is a one-page document that identifies a Safety Factor(s) and what the parent and the social worker will do to address that concern(s). Simply put, it is a written agreement…
The policy of Connecticut DCF is to protect the health and welfare of children. We must all agree that a child’s safety is paramount. To this end, there is a Hotline, which receives reports of suspected neglect and abuse. Anyone who makes a report in good faith and has reasonable grounds for making the report…
A mother who tragically lost her son in 2008 is attempting to pass a law allowing the public greater access to DCF records. Here is a summary: Mother petitions to change laws after son dies by babysitter – WFSB 3 Connecticut The proposal is excessively broad. Not only does it seek information about abusers…
As you might imagine, I hear a lot of Connecticut DCF complaints. We should remember that DCF’s policy and obligation is protect children in Connecticut. This is a critical goal which is frequently difficult and challenging. Most often, they do an excellent job. But understandably, there are times when their actions leave families disappointed,…
DCF does have a policy on erasing or “expunging” certain reports. The policy attempts to balance the privacy of persons who were not found to have been perpetrators of abuse or neglect against the goal of protecting children. Expunge is defind as the deletion of all names, allegations and documents in their database. I consider…