Survival Memo
You are now involved with the Connecticut Department of Children and Families,
or DCF. I assume that you have read my web site
and are familiar with DCF operations.
It is often difficult to do the right thing in the heat of the moment.
Therefore, I request that you review this sheet periodically. Also, keep the DCF
Client Wallet Card on you AT ALL TIMES. When in doubt, take it out and read it
as a quick guide for survival in the world of DCF.
1. Do not sign anything before I review it. This rule has no exceptions. My fax
and e-mail are easily available, and documents can be reviewed without delay. If
you sign something that I have not reviewed, then I cannot protect you. Do not
listen to “It’s just routine.” It may indeed be routine for DCF, but that does
not mean that it’s good for you.
2. Do not argue with DCF or service providers. It doesn’t matter if you are
right or wrong. In real life, as opposed to movies and TV, arguments do not
solve anything. If you call me with a problem, you will have a better chance of
resolving it than by arguing with other people.
3. Do not make important agreements before reviewing them with me. It is
surprising how many times you and DCF will disagree as to what you actually did
agree to. It is so much easier if you get me to write up any significant
agreements first. Otherwise, it’s just your word against theirs; and frankly,
DCF wins most of those arguments.
4. Do not try to be your own lawyer, or take legal advice from non-lawyers.
“Erin Brockovitch” is a movie, not real life. Law has too many interrelated
elements for lay persons to do it correctly. Please, if you have an idea,
discuss it with me. Other people mean well, but they are not lawyers. You would
not see me if you had a toothache; so why see a doctor, teacher, social worker,
police officer, accountant, probation officer, or neighbor if you have a legal
problem ?
5. Do not discuss your case with others. It is a very human tendency to try to
convince other people that you are right. Sadly, anything good that you say will
be worthless hearsay, and the smallest bad thing will come back to haunt you.
Please resist the temptation to convince other people.
6. Do not let people in your home without a warrant, or until you check with me.
The police need a warrant to enter your home, unless there are exigent
circumstances. DCF does not have superior rights. You are allowed to consult a
lawyer, no matter what anyone says. See the memo from the DCF
Commissioner written July 12, 2006. Do not fall for “You will do better without a lawyer.” DCF has
hundreds of employees and dozens of lawyers; surely you are entitled to have one
lawyer when dealing with them. Please give a copy of the
DCF Client Wallet Card
to any DCF Investigator who contacts you. Ask them to contact me right away.
