Coaching is a unique and meaningful role that involves not only teaching children but also safeguarding their health and well-being. However, those who coach in schools or recreational programs may sometimes find themselves under scrutiny by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF).
DCF investigates reports of suspected child abuse or neglect, and your position as a coach could place you at the center of such an inquiry. If you are a Norwalk coach facing a DCF investigation, it is important to seek legal guidance. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Mark Sherman are here to help you navigate this challenging situation.
A coach can be a source of support and inspiration for the kids under their care, showing how sports and physical fitness can benefit them as they grow and develop. In seeking to inspire and push kids forward, however, a coach can be accused of verbally abusing the children in their charge.
A coach might also be accused of neglect by ignoring injuries or pushing children beyond their physical capabilities. A parent can complain to DCF and start an investigation, or DCF might already be investigating possible abuse of a child under your care.
In either case, you can find yourself placed on paid administrative leave (if you work through a school) or even fired from your position. Depending on what DCF finds in the course of its investigation, the agency can request that criminal charges be filed against you.
To protect your rights and preserve your career as a coach, choose an experienced attorney to support you during a Norwalk DCF investigation. Your lawyer can prepare you for an investigation and guide you in defending yourself.
DCF can inquire into your work and coaching methods and greatly affect your livelihood. With a lawyer by your side, you can communicate the facts of an alleged incident to DCF and maintain your reputation in the community.
You may not understand why DCF is investigating, but your attorney can help determine what has been stated about your coaching activities. By interviewing other coaches, parents, and community members, your lawyer can assess what DCF claims to be the issue.
Your attorney can also directly communicate with DCF as the investigation progresses, and together you can build a defense strategy. There is a risk of criminal charges, which is why your attorney needs to have as much information as possible to help you plan for a potential court case.
Perhaps most importantly, your attorney can argue against DCF’s findings and can appeal the agency’s determinations to keep your record clean. If DCF makes a substantiation of its findings at the end of an investigation—typically within 45 days—you can appeal that substantiation with the help of your lawyer.
Each step of DCF’s investigation process for coaches can put your future at risk, which is why getting a Norwalk attorney on your team should be a priority. Handling an investigation on your own can subject you to criminal and career penalties, but a lawyer can improve your chances of emerging without those consequences.
Sharing your knowledge of sports and teamwork with kids should be a positive experience, but an investigation can quickly change your reputation and your ability to continue coaching. The attorneys of Mark Sherman Law can prepare Norwalk coaches in DCF investigations and provide crucial advice and assistance.
If you are under investigation or think you might be soon, contact our offices for a consultation. You can also read more than 300 reviews on Avvo.com to learn what previous clients have said about our practice.
