This plan will list the services DCF will provide to you and your children. Together, you and the social worker will decide on a вЂњService PlanвЂќ for your family.

This may be the same social worker you have met with before or it may be a new social worker. What if DCF opens a case for my family? When a DCF case is opened for your family, a social worker will talk with you to learn more about your strengths and needs and what support might be helpful to you and your children.

The Investigation is вЂњSupportedвЂќ, or the Initial Assessment shows вЂњSubstantiated Concern.вЂќ DCF may open a case to be sure that your childвЂ™s needs are met and that your family gets the services you need to keep your children safe. However, if you do want services for your family, you can ask DCF to open a вЂњvoluntary caseвЂќ. The Investigation is вЂњUnsupportedвЂќ or the Initial Assessment showed вЂњMinimal or No Concern.вЂќ A case will not be opened and DCF visits will stop. DCF will also send you a letter stating one of two things: 1. What happens at the end of an Investigation or Initial Assessment? DCF will write a report that summarizes what the social worker learned from you or the other people he or she talked with. These visits and interviews must be completed within 5 вЂ“ 15 work days. You can also give the worker names of people you would like him or her to talk with. The social worker may ask for names of your childвЂ™s teacher, pediatrician, school counselor, or other persons who know you and your children. During the visit, you will learn what was reported and you can share your feelings and thoughts about the report. You can invite a supportive friend or relative to be with you. The social worker will want to see and speak with everyone in the family, including children. An Investigation or an Initial Assessment is done to determine whether your child is safe and what services might be needed to help support you and your family to provide for his/her needs. DCF does an Initial Assessment when there has been a less serious allegation. What happens when DCF visits my home? DCF does an вЂњInvestigationвЂќ when the report is about serious abuse or neglect.

When a report is received, a DCF social worker will contact you and may come to your home to learn more about the situation and to decide if any help is needed. If DCF receives a report that you believe your child has been abused and/or neglected, they are required by law to respond.

The identity of the person making the report cannot be revealed. Some people, like doctors, teachers, and child care workers, are required by law to report their concerns to the Department. How does DCF become involved? In Massachusetts, when anyone suspects that a child is abused and/or neglected, they can report the situation to DCF. Sometimes parents work hard to feed and house their children and experience stresses that make taking care of their children a challenge. Some parents may be alone and without anyone to turn to when they are exhausted or donвЂ™t know what to do. Some parents do not have the support they need to parent effectively, and every parent sometimes needs the help of other caring adults. DCF recognizes that parenting is probably the single most difficult job anyone ever takes on. DCF is committed to supporting children and strengthening families. The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is the state agency responsible for protecting children and ensuring that they are safe and well cared for.

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