Have you been served with a DCF 96 hour hold? Connecticut DCF can use a 96 hour hold to remove a child from his or her home without an order from a judge. DCF uses this 96 hour hold authority when: 1. There is probable cause to believe that the child is in imminent risk…
A DCF Parent’s Right to Know Brochure? A brochure is an advertising piece. When I think of a brochure, I think of buying a car or planning a vacation to a warm, sunny place. How about calling it an Information Sheet? A DCF Information Sheet. Better. A few other suggestions: The parent’s rights are outlined…
Over the last several years, the policy in scheduling DCF home visits has changed a bit. In the past, just about every referral DCF received resulted in an unexpected knock on the door. Now, unannounced visits are reserved for those cases where DCF believes that the child needs immediate protection. For example, a claim that…
Whenever DCF is involved there is always the risk that they might file a Neglect Petition in the Juvenile Court. It used to be that DCF would file Neglect Petitions virtually any time an Investigation was Substantiated and sometimes even in cases where there was no Substantiation. However, over the last year or two, the…
DCF has implemented a new response to certain child abuse and neglect referrals. It appears to be an effort by the State to work together with families and service providers to address cases that are considered “low risk.” Essentially, rather than conducting a full scale Investigation DCF simply performs a Family Assessment – also known…
I recently wrote a blog about whether DCF is allowed to interview a child without a parent or guardian’s consent. This blog assumes grounds exist so that DCF is legally permitted to interview a child during an Investigation. How then should that interview with the child be conducted? C.G.S. 17a-101h states: DCF shall conduct…