If it is an emergency, DCF can file a Care & Protection Petition to a Judge and the Judge would review it and it can allow DCF to obtain permission to take your children away from you without notifying you ahead of time. You may not be aware of this until a social worker comes to remove your children. You are entitled to call the local DCF to find out when they intend to go to court and you need to go to court at that point. Once you go to court you have the right to a 72 hour hearing or temporary custody hearing where the issue is whether your child or children will be in danger if left with you while waiting for a full hearing on the case.