Return to CT.Gov Home
Department of Children and Families
DCF Logo

Policy Manual

CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATIONS

34-15
Case Disposition

Policy When the investigator and supervisor decide to transfer a case to a DCF service unit, (e.g., in-home services, reunification, adoption) or to close a case, the worker shall take the actions presented in the table below.

Note:  The Program Supervisor for the Investigations Unit must read and review the case prior to transfer.

When the decision is to refer the case to another state agency or a community service provider for service, the worker shall complete a summary letter to that agency or provider. (See requirements below). 

Internal Transfer Below are the procedures for transferring a case to a DCF service unit.
     

Person

Activity

Time
Investigator Complete required case entries in LINK and forward to investigation supervisor for approval.

Note: The investigator shall maintain case activity responsibility throughout the seven (7) working day transfer process.

 Within five (5) working days of the initial decision to transfer the case.
Investigation Supervisor Approve and transmit the LINK investigation information, and the uniform case record, to the Program Supervisor for Investigations. Within two (2) working days of receiving the LINK case from the investigation worker.
Program Supervisor for Investigations Read, review, approve and transmit the LINK investigation information, and the uniform case record, to the Program Supervisor of the designated service unit. Within one (1) day of receiving the LINK case from the investigation supervisor.
Program Supervisor for the Service Unit Read, review and transmit the case to the supervisor of the designated service unit.

Note:   The Program Supervisor for the Service Unit is responsible for ensuring the case gets assigned to the on-going services worker within the specified time frame.

 Within one (1) working day of receiving the LINK case from the Investigation Program Supervisor.
Supervisor of the Service Unit Read, review and assign the case to an on-going services worker. Within three (3) working days of receipt of the case from the Program Supervisor.

Note:  The entire transfer process shall be completed within seven (7) working days of receipt of the case by the investigation supervisor.  (LINK reviews may be completed by supervisors and Program Supervisors simultaneously.)

 

Case Activity Responsibility The investigation social worker shall maintain responsibility for case activities, including face to face contacts, until the case is received by the on-going services worker.

Note:  The Program Supervisor for the Service Unit shall ensure the case is assigned within the seven (7) working day time frame.
Case Transfer Process If a case transfer conference is required, the investigator shall
  • schedule it at the time that the case is forwarded to the investigation supervisor
  • notify all possible conference participants of the case transfer conference.

Note:  A case transfer conference is always required for high risk cases.

Cross-Reference:  34-17, "Case Transfer Conference"

The case transfer conference shall be held within five (5) working days of the case being assigned to a social worker in a service unit.
External Transfer and Summary Letter When a case is being referred to another state agency or community service provider for the provision of services, the worker shall complete and send a summary letter to that agency or provider within five (5) working days of supervisory approval of the decision to refer the case.

A copy of the summary letter shall be included in the LINK record.

The summary letter shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

  • identifying information
  • the reason for the report to DCF
  • DCF investigation findings
  • the reason for referral to the agency or provider
  • an assessment of the family's needs.

Important Note:

If the allegation is substantiated, the summary letter shall include a clear statement requiring notice from a DCF funded provider (and requesting notice from all others) of failure by the parent/guardian to substantially address the reason for the referral to the agency or provider. The agency or provider shall send such notice to the Hotline as a report of neglect within twenty-four (24) hours of the agency’s or provider’s conclusion that the parent/guardian has failed to substantially address the reason for the referral.
Case Closing If the decision is to close a case, the investigator shall complete the appropriate entries in LINK within five (5) working days of supervisory approval of the decision to close.

Cross-Reference: For instructions on closing a case, refer to Chapter 36, "Closing Process."

Connecticut Department of Children and Families                            Effective Date: December 31, 1999  (Revised)