What to Do if Your Child Is Molested by a Family Member in New Hampshire

Information for Parents Most Child Corruption and Fail

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The Division for Children, Youth and Families – Kid Abuse and Neglect

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

            This information is intended to give parents an over-view of the corruption and neglect system and DCYF in New Hampshire.  This is non a comprehensive guide and is no substitute for legal communication.  If y'all have been contacted by DCYF you should consult with an attorney.  Every case is different, and this guide only provides a general view of the things a parent should consider if contacted by DCYF.

            The Division for Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) is the Country agency in New Hampshire that manages programs to protect children and families.  Child Protective staff work together with families to assess the safety of children, identify needs and develop a case plan. This program defines the specific needs of the children and family members and outlines the method by which a family unit's protective service bug volition be resolved with the aid of DCYF.

            There are three core functions of DCYF:

i.      Intake: DCYF takes in reports of child abuse or neglect and refers appropriate cases to District Offices.

2.      Assessment: Commune Offices investigate reports that are referred from the fundamental office to make up one's mind the condom of the child and potential damage to the child.  They assess all the information gathered and make up one's mind whether the accusation is "unfounded" which ways that the allegations of corruption or neglect are not substantiated; or "founded" which means that the allegations are substantiated.

3.      Family services: If the allegations are "founded" services are provided to the family to ensure the continued safety and well-existence of the kid.  The services provided are intended to assist keep a kid in their dwelling house.  However, if the dwelling is not a prophylactic environment for the kid, DCYF may ask the Court to remove the kid and identify the child with some other family unit member or a foster family unit.

How does the process piece of work?

            If DCYF makes a finding of corruption or fail, it volition file a Petition with the Commune Court.  This begins the Court Process and is how DCYF gets an Order.  There volition exist a Preliminary Hearing when DCYF must show the Courtroom that services are necessary to go on the child safe.  There is later an Adjudicatory Hearing when the Court volition find the defendant parent either guilty or non guilty of the abuse or neglect.

A parent is entitled to be represented by an Attorney in an Abuse or Neglect Proceeding. At the Preliminary Hearing the parent may request Courtroom Appointed Counsel if the parent is not able to pay for an attorney.

            DCYF may too inquire the parent to sign a Consent Decree.  A Consent is basically an agreement to permit DCYF to provide services.  In most cases the Consent will include an access that the child was driveling or neglected.  A Consent tin allow the parent and DCYF to avoid some or all of the Court procedure.  Considering of the consequences of signing a Consent it is a good idea to talk to a lawyer kickoff.

What practise parents need to know?

            Parents unremarkably come up into contact with DCYF later on a written report of abuse or neglect has been made and a social worker contacts the parent to brainstorm their assessment.  This can exist a very stressful fourth dimension for a parent – whether the parent knew the report had been fabricated or not.  Oftentimes the social worker volition ask to interview you or your child as the commencement step in their assessment.  At this indicate, in that location is usually no Court Lodge and the social worker will ask for your cooperation.  In that location is no uniform answer to the question of whether or how fully to cooperate with the social worker.  As a parent, yous must decide how to handle their request.  This can be a difficult decision and there is no simple "right" or "incorrect" answer to this question.  Every case is unique.

Things to consider:

• Without a Court Order, you take the right to pass up to exist interviewed.
• Without a Court Order, you have the correct to turn down to have the social worker in your home.
• DCYF is charged with protecting children – that is their only role, they practice not want to take your child unless your child cannot be prophylactic in your domicile.
• Reporting suspected abuse or neglect is required by police – whoever fabricated the written report may have had no pick in the matter.
• DCYF must prove their case to a approximate if they recall your kid has been abused or neglected and you do not accept to help them make their example.
• DCYF is charged with protecting children, and may view your refusal to cooperate as an indication that you are hiding something.
• A social worker may view your hostility towards him/her every bit an indication that the allegations are truthful.
• The social worker may suggest yous sign an agreement (a Consent) rather than go to court so that DCYF can provide services to your family.
• A Consent may say that y'all admit to the corruption or fail alleged against you.  Consent may result in your proper name beingness entered onto the registry of those found to have abused or neglected a child.
• If DCYF files a Court case against you, you are entitled to an Attorney and the Courtroom will appoint ane if you cannot beget to hire one.

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Source: https://nhlegalaid.org/information-parents-about-child-abuse-and-neglect

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