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…
I get this questions often: Can DCF speak with my child? It is clear that DCF is allowed to interview a child during an Investigation with the parent or guardian’s consent. And sometimes permitting a child to speak with a Social Worker makes sense. The real question is whether a Social Worker is allowed to…
I imagine that there is nothing more unsettling than being investigated for child abuse. This is especially true if the Social Worker presumes a parent is guilty from the beginning. As a result, the whole Investigation is compromised and tainted as DCF searches for any evidence to support the abuse allgeations while dismissing or disregarding…
DCF has new policy in scheduling their home visits. In the past, just about every new case resulted in an unexpected knock on the door. Now, unannounced DCF home visits are reserved for those cases where DCF believes that the child needs immediate protection. For example, an allegation that a child is being physically abused…
When Connecticut DCF comes calling, they always have plenty of Releases of Information and other Authorizations handy. As part of most DCF Investigations, they are looking for records from the pediatrician, the school(s) and any service providers like a therapists or counselors. They usually want to talk to all these folks too. Should parents sign…
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…