Child Abuse and Neglect
“800” Project – Protecting Youth who are Aging Out of DCF Care
Developed by the Center for Children’s Advocacy and the Office of the Public Defender, CCA is training pro bono attorneys to represent DCF-involved youth (aged 18+) who have received notices discharging them from care and/or who are looking to re-engage with DCF. Older foster youth often age out of the system due to a lack of permanency options. Despite a desire to continue with DCF, many receive notification (“800” Form) of DCF’s intention to discontinue support. For information about this project, please email Stacy Schleif, Esq.
Info Flyer about the 800 Project Form for Youth to Request Continuing DCF Involvement
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.
Child Protection Casebook, Feb 2013
Compendium of Supreme and Appellate Court child protection decisions
Connecticut Law about Child Abuse and Neglect
Connecticut Judicial Branch Guide to the Law of Abuse and Neglect
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
- DCF Policy Manual
- DCF Practice Guides
- DCF Policy Bulletins and Updates
- Index of DCF Regulations
- DCF Records Requests (online form)
- Adolescent Needs Prior to Transitioning from Care (2017, Youth Advisory Board)
Interagency Agreements
- 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
SpeakUp: 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)
Sample Records Requests
- Letter Requesting Records (pursuant to PA 17-119)
- DCF Records Requests (online form)
- Letter to Social Worker with Contact Information and Request
- Letter Regarding Administrative Case Review/Treatment Plan Review
- Letter Requesting Administrative Hearing
Standards of Practice for Child Protection Attorneys in Juvenile Matters
- Requirement to Consult Child or Youth re Permanency Plan (2016)
- Performance Guidelines for Counsel in Child Protection Matters (2017)
- Effective Jan 1, 2019: Revisions to the Practice Book, including Rules of Professional Conduct, Code of Judicial Conduct, Superior Court Rules
- Effective Jan 1, 2019: Revisions Concerning Juvenile Practice
Standing Orders
- Superior Court for Juvenile Matters
- Standing Orders (Judicial Dept)
- Juvenile Justice Measures in CT (2016)
Significant Recent Legislation
Attorney Training Opportunities
TIPS for Lawyers – FAQs and Updates on Key Issues in Child Protection Law
Other Resources
- Domestic Violence Guidebook for Juvenile Court Professionals (jud.ct.gov 2014)
- U.S. Children’s Bureau Website
Child and Family Services Reviews – key findings, state assessments and Program Improvement Plans
