You can file an Appeal requesting a “Fair Hearing”.  This is your opportunity to argue about the DCF decision.  There will be an Administrative Hearing Officer, who is not involved with the case, who will decide whether DCF was correct or incorrect under the law and the facts.  If you are successful, then DCF Fair Hearing would be overturned, if you are unsuccessful you can still appeal it to Superior Court.

Some of the reasons is if there is a supported 51A; which is about an allegation of abuse or neglect.  Also, you can appeal DCF’s decision with your name on the Registry of Alleged Perpetrators and this is a list of people that DCF says has abuse or neglected children. You can also even appeal if you wanted to stop DCF reducing services that you want; or giving you the notice or not following their regulations.

There is a process and a 30-day deadline to appeal.  You will receive a letter and you have to give some information; including your name, address, phone number, the name and date of birth of the child, the name and address of the DCF office; and the description of the decision you want to appeal along with the date, and whether or not you need an interpreter.  You will also need to request a copy of the records along with whether or not you are going to subpoena any witnesses.