In any investigation by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF), the flow of information plays a critical role. What DCF learns about you and your family can directly influence the steps they take—steps that may have lasting consequences. One of the key ways DCF gathers this information is through signed releases, particularly those involving your children’s records. Signing these releases without legal guidance can give DCF broad access to your personal details, often with little limitation. Before you sign anything, it is essential to speak with an attorney at Mark Sherman Law to protect your rights and your family’s privacy.
DCF agents may approach your family after a domestic dispute or a report from an outside source. They will specifically seek information about children to determine if the agency should proceed with the investigation.
DCF can remove children from a home and file for a court to take further actions against you if they deem it necessary. This can include obtaining a court order requiring the police to keep you away from your residence. To take these actions, DCF must find evidence of neglect, abuse, or other conditions affecting children in the home.
The information can include your child’s medical history and records held by their doctors. DCF will need a release to obtain your permission to access those records. Once you sign a release, DCF does not have to contact you to obtain that information and continue their investigation.
In addition to doctors’ records, DCF may seek information from your child’s school. To protect your privacy, rather than signing a DCF release, you should have a Stamford lawyer assist you during an investigation.
The best course of action when DCF gets involved in your home and family is to hire a defense attorney. If your lawyer has experience with DCF investigations, they can guide you through the process of presenting information to the agency.
For example, an attorney can explain what information will be available to DCF if you sign a release. The release will detail what DCF can obtain and whether they must safeguard confidential information. However, those details can be difficult to understand without the aid of a lawyer.
Your attorney can also help you provide limited information to satisfy DCF rather than signing a blanket release of all of the information available. DCF will only need certain types of information for a limited period. You can work with your lawyer and coordinate with your child’s doctor, educator, or other professionals to disclose selected details.
Cooperating with DCF—to an extent—can serve your interests by demonstrating that there is no reason for their intervention. Most DCF investigations must close within 45 days, after which they must determine whether to continue. Providing some information can help an investigation end without being extended.
Knowing how much to cooperate and resist is where your attorney can provide crucial assistance. You might sign a release during a DCF investigation, but your Stamford lawyer can determine whether disclosing information is in your best interests.
An investigation can start and move forward quickly, and you might suddenly receive a request for a signed release. Before signing releases in a Stamford DCF investigation, you will want to know the effects and how to protect yourself and your family.
The Law Offices of Mark Sherman can advise you on whether you should sign a release or disclose information about your children. We can also robustly represent you throughout an investigation. You can read more about our work through the more than 300 reviews posted by our clients on our Avvo profile. Call our offices to discuss your case with an attorney today.
