Child Welfare (Abuse and Neglect)
Legal Resources
Administrative Decisions
CGS § 4-180a requires that if any agency wishes to rely on final administrative decisions as precedent, the decisions must be indexed and available for public inspection and copying to the extent required by FOIA. Click for indexed and summarized substantiation decisions. For a full copy of these decisions, make your request in writing to the Administrative Hearings Unit.
TIPS for Lawyers – FAQs and Updates on Key Issues in Child Protection Law
Consent Decrees
- Juan F.
Juan F. v. Rell (Children’s Rights)
Juan F. v. Lamont Exit Plan Status Report – Apr 1 – Sep 30, 2019
Youth Law
Consent Decree - W.R. v. Connecticut Department of Children and Families
Final Settlement Agreement
Order Approving Settlement - West v. Manson 1988
DCF Information
- Connecticut Department of Children and Families
- Substantiated Decisions
- DCF-DMHAS Memorandum of Understanding – Client Transition from DCF to DMHAS, Nov 2016
- DMHAS-DCF Procedural Guidelines – Young Adult Services Program, Nov 2016
- DCF-SDE Memorandum of Understanding – May 2012
Representing Young Adults
CCA Legal Rights Books and Videos
- Who Will Speak for Me? Video
Children in the state’s child protection system help us understand what they need from their attorneys - Foster Care and Group Care
Book: Speak Up: Legal Rights of Youth in Care (2018 publication, FN update 2019)
Foster Care Videos: I Need to Reach Someone Now What? Getting Heard Moving On
Group Care Video: Legal Rights for Youth in Shelters, Group Homes, STAR Homes, Residential Facilities - Video: Meet Me Where I’m At
DCF Youth Advisory Board Message from CT Foster Youth (2018)
Abuse and Neglect Pleadings and Evidentiary Issues
Standards of Practice for Child Protection Attorneys in Juvenile Matters
- Requirement to File Child’s Statement for Permanency Hearings
- Performance Guidelines for Counsel in Child Protection Matters
- 2021 Connecticut Practice Book (see Sections 32-34a for Child Protection-related provisions)
Standing Orders
