About DCF

Connecticut Department of Children and Families

The Department of Children and Families is the state agency responsible for child protection, behavioral health, juvenile justice and prevention services in Connecticut. 

DCF works with families and communities to improve child safety, ensure that more children have permanent families, and advance the overall well-being of children. DCF protects children who are being abused or neglected, and strives to help children who are facing emotional and behavioral challenges.

While DCF certainly has a noble mission, and provides valuable services to families and communities, it sometimes carries out its duties in a heavy-handed way. In fact, DCF sometimes disregards the rights of parents, and will take actions that result in serious harm and detriment to families. Because DCF deals with child protection, the state has granted it an immense amount of power.

When your family becomes involved with DCF, you might feel stripped of your rights and question whether you are still in America. However, you do have rights, and having a qualified attorney is the best way to protect those rights. Please see What to Do When DCF Calls. Read more on my perspective on The Future of DCF.

Note for Persons in States Other than Connecticut

All states have a child protection system (CPS) that has the same general function as DCF.  However, laws and actual practices vary widely from state to state. 

Nearly every week, I get an e-mail from someone outside of Connecticut who needs help in dealing with his or her state’s CPS.  Most say the same thing: “I cannot find a lawyer to help me.”

Unfortunately, I cannot help you directly, as I am licensed in Connecticut only.  However, I will do what I can to try to find you a qualified lawyer in your state.

There is, at present, no national organization of CPS defense lawyers for adults.  This is an incredible fact.  Virtually every other branch of law has an organization of some kind; but not CPS defense for adults.  No doubt it will come some day, but it is not here yet.

I am trying to develop such a national organization.  It is a slow process.  If I succeed, it will be reported on this web site.

I was recently able to help a woman in Florida, by locating a qualified CPS defense lawyer.  It was a gratifying experience.  Here is a portion of the woman’s final e-mail to me:

 “I just wanted to send a quick email to thank you again for all of your help.  I have contacted [the attorney recommended]….Again, I can’t thank you enough for your assistance and for your compassion.  Your clients in Connecticut are truly blessed to have someone like you on their side.” 

It appears safe to say that there is a shortage of lawyers willing to help adults with CPS problems.  Again, I will try to find you a lawyer if you need one; but until and unless we get a solid national organization, it will be rough going in some states.

 If you live outside of Connecticut, but have a problem with Connecticut DCF, then I will be glad to try to help you.  We have helped several out-of-state clients with Connecticut DCF problems.

Note for Prospective Foster and Adoptive Parents 

DCF regularly places advertisements urging adults to become foster and adoptive parents, or mentors for children.  This is an excellent service, and there are fewer things that are more rewarding than helping a child in need. 

Very often, foster parents become attached to the child or children, and wish to adopt them.  DCF will assist you in this when possible. 

However, the general caution to consult an attorney remains, even when DCF is “on your side.”  Many prospective adoptive parents have run into problems; and sometimes, by the time they call an attorney, it is too late. 

You might refer to the story of “Bernard and Elizabeth”, in our article on Substantiation Cases.

There are other cases.  In a 2008 case, a decent couple who had three grown children had taken in two foster children whose parents were having their parental rights terminated.  Everything was fine.  They were all set to adopt these children, with DCF’s blessing.  As part of the routine processing, the couple had to list references.  One of those references wrote a very scathing report, claiming that the couple had abused the children.  In spite of a dozen good letters, the doubt was raised.  The children allegedly confirmed the abuse, although we were not allowed to examine them, as the couple had no “standing” as prospective adoptive parents.

We have no personal knowledge of the truth.  We do know that the natural children of the couple, and many of their friends and relatives, gave glowing reports.  We do know that the adoptive children gave conflicting reports, although we were not allowed to examine the details.  DCF, with no effective oversight or review, ended their chances to adopt.

Be careful.  When dealing with DCF, you should consult an attorney from the beginning.  It does not matter how well things seem to be going.  Our office is aware of many DCF traps, and we may be able to spot problems before they arise.