A 51A becomes either supported or unsupported. Unsupported means that DCF found that there is not any evidence
If the report is supported, DCF could try and take custody of your child or children; or they may just want to offer services to your family. Other times DCF might try and ask that you voluntarily place your children in foster care. Be very careful about signing any Voluntary Placement Agreements. Ask for the option of talking to an attorney before signing, unless you are absolutely sure what you want to do.
If DCF says that if you don’t sign the Voluntary Placement, they might try and say they are going to go to court to try and get custody of your children; which may be better than signing a Voluntary Placement; if you are contesting it, because you are entitled to an attorney and you have legal rights.
Again, I am not saying whether to sign it or not, but at least, very carefully look at the situation. One of the things that is important to realize, even if the report is supported, DCF does not always go to court.
Generally, what occurs is DCF will do an “Assessment Process” and that is to determine what services, if any, the family needs. You will get assigned a new social worker, and there will be a lot more time for that social worker to get to know your family. The Assessment is supposed to be completed within 45 days of the support decision; although a lot of times it take longer, and the end result can be that there are no services that are needed and they can close the case out; or that there can be a Service Plan that can be provided. Again, this is a crucial point in the Assessment process, and it might be one that you would to have an attorney or advocate with you.
to indicate that your children were abused or neglected. Supported means that DCF believes that there is evidence showing that the children were abused or neglected or at risk of that.
In most times, if it is supported, you want to strongly consider filing a Notice of Appeal to the Fair Hearing Office that has specific requirements to do; and again, consider hiring an attorney or an advocate to help you with that.
