When DCF investigates an allegation of child abuse or neglect, there are two routes that the investigation can go: Full Investigation or Family Assessment Response. Call to work with a Connecticut Family Assessment Response Defense Lawyer.
A Family Assessment Response, or FAR, is a low-risk investigative track by the Department of Children and families to offer support to families while protecting children and enhancing the parent’s involvement. DCF wants to protect not only children, but families as a whole, and the FAR is a way to do just that.
When DCF does a full investigation, the outcome is a determination of abuse or neglect substantiation or dismissal. This can lead to your children being taken away from you, to your name being placed on the central registry, and to a stigma that could impact your life for years to come. When DCF decides to take the FAR route, the end goal is a determination of whether or not services are still needed.
Your DCF attorney can argue for you. DCF workers will use what is known as the SDM Safety Assessment to determine whether the FAR is a viable response or whether the children are in immediate danger of serious harm. There are many things that DCF looks into when deciding whether the FAR is the route to take including prior history with DCF, the severity of the allegations, and the substance of the allegation.
Some cases are required to be formally investigated, like cases where there is sexual abuse allegations by a parent, guardian, or person given access to the child by the parent or guardian.
After a FAR, the ideal outcome would be to have the case dismissed. Further, the family can be referred to the Community Partner Agency. When this happens, the Agency coordinates and provides services to the family to help facilitate a healthier, safer family environment.
Even if your case is assigned to the FAR route, an attorney can be helpful. Whenever DCF gets involved it is important to have a person on your side who can advocate for your rights and protect your family. Click here for more on the FAR process.
If you have been contacted by DCF, reach out to a Connecticut Family Assessment Response defense lawyer at Mark Sherman Law today to learn more about how we can help you and your family. Our 5-star certified client reviews reflect our result-driven performance. We are available 24/7.
