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Policy Manual

CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATIONS
Special Investigations

34-12-9.1
Reports of Abuse or Neglect Concerning DCF Family Homes

Policy Reports of abuse, neglect or in danger of abuse concerning a child in a Department licensed or certified family home, as defined in policy 34-12-9, shall be investigated in accordance with established investigation procedures.

However, since the report involves a licensed home, additional procedures, specified below, need to be followed to ensure a coordinated Department response.
Coordination with other Social Workers The assigned investigator, having determined whether or not additional children are in the home, shall coordinate the investigation with the child(ren)’s Social Workers to determine if the other children are safe or need to be moved.
Notification to FTSU and Resultant Actions Upon receipt of the Hotline report, the investigator shall notify the FTSU Program Supervisor of the allegation.

Upon notification of the allegation, the FTSU Program Supervisor shall

  • place the licensed family home on hold
  • advise a FTSU staff person to

- notify the family that they have been placed on "hold"

- support the family during the investigation process

Note: Notification to the family by FTSU shall not

    -  occur prior to the completion of the contact with the family by the investigator

    -  include details of the allegation.
  • confirm that all workers with other children in the home have been notified of the allegation.
 Upon Completion of the Investigation Upon completion of the investigation, a copy of the investigation findings shall be forwarded to the FTSU Program Supervisor, Regional Administrator and Director of Child Welfare Services.

If the allegation is not substantiated:

  • the investigator shall notify

-  the licensed family of the findings

-  FTSU staff, who will notify all workers with children in the home

  • FTSU will remove the "hold" on the home.

If the allegation is substantiated:

  • the investigator shall notify

-  the licensed family of the findings

-  FTSU staff , who will notify all workers with children in the home.

  • a conference shall be held among the involved staff, supervisors and managers to determine if any or all of the other children should be removed based upon the investigation findings.
Proposed Licensing Action The FTSU Program Supervisor shall prepare a recommendation to the Regional Administrator concerning any proposed licensing action.

The action may include:

  • required training
  • additional support to the family
  • modification of the type of child(ren), sex and ages of children to be cared for
  • limitation of the license; i.e., reduced bed capacity; or a decision to not renew or revoke the license.
To Limit, Not Renew or Revoke the License If the decision is to limit, not renew or revoke the license, the Regional Administrator shall take the following actions:
  • ensure, in conjunction with the FTSU staff and the assigned Assistant Attorney General, the legal sufficiency of documentation in order to take the licensing action as warranted
  • officially notify the family, in writing, of the intention to limit, not renew or revoke their license, advising them of their right to an administrative hearing
  • notify other Social Workers with children in the home of the need to work with FTSU to planfully replace the children if this has not already occurred.

If the licensee does not request a hearing within the designated time period or the hearings officer upholds the Department’s proposed action, the FTSU unit shall

  • document all activity in the licensing record
  • enter the change in the license status in LINK.

Connecticut Department of Children and Families                                  Effective Date: October 1, 1996 (Revised)