Understanding the Legal Line Between Discipline and Abuse Spanking as a form of discipline has long been a controversial topic among parents, educators, and child welfare advocates. While some argue that it is an effective way to correct behavior, others believe it can cause lasting harm. In New Jersey, spanking is not automatically considered child…
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What Is a Substantiated Finding?
Substantiated findings are very important because they signify that the agency has determined that you have abused or neglected your child and that your conduct warrants your name being included on the Child Abuse Central Registry.
Read More »Williams Law Group Receives Opinion From New Jersey Supreme Court
On May 27th, 2020, the Supreme Court of New Jersey decided on the case S.C. v. New Jersey Department of Children and Families. In their decision, the Supreme Court provided clarity on several New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF) procedures surrounding administrative findings of “Not Established”. The case, which was argued by Williams…
Read More »What Is the DCPP’s Least Restrictive Setting Rule?
When the New Jersey Department of Children and Protection and Permanency must intervene with a family, it typically means that the family is not functioning in such a way as to ensure the best interest of the children is always being safeguarded. Although many people think of the DCPP as an agency whose purpose is…
Read More »What Is the DCPP’s Family Reunification Program?
Parents and the DCPP may often be on the opposite sides of a case, disagreeing about whether the parents failed to live up to their parenting responsibilities and whether it was appropriate for the children to be removed from the home in the first place. What many do not realize, however, is that one of…
Read More »The DCPP Has Accused Me of Inadequate Supervision. What Does That Mean?
Any parent will tell you that parenting is the most difficult job out there. Every child is different, and each child presents unique personality traits, has different educational abilities, and may have special physical or emotional requirements. In short, there is no “one size fits all” parenting strategy. Although parents are usually doing their best,…
Read More »How to Appeal the DCPP’s Decision to Remove Your Children From Your Home
Very few things will strike fear in the heart of a parent faster than the thought of being forcibly separated from their children. Parents work hard to provide for their children and make sure that they are happy, healthy, and in a stable environment. The New Jersey Department of Children Protection and Permanency is similarly…
Read More »The Role of Collateral Contacts During A DCPP Investigation
Parents may hear a lot of terms that they are not familiar with during the course of a DCPP case. Not being able to understand what the DCPP is saying can make it hard for parents to keep track of what’s going on in their case. For this reason, it’s important for parents to learn…
Read More »Can DCPP Force Me To Take A Drug Test?
Numerous studies have shown that parents with substance abuse problems are more likely to abuse or neglect their children than parents without substance abuse issues. Based on this information, it’s not surprising that many reports of child abuse and neglect submitted to the Department of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP) contain allegations of substance abuse.…
Read More »Do I Have to Let DCPP In My Home?
Being accused of child abuse or neglect is every parent’s worst nightmare. For this reason, it is hard for parents to open their doors and welcome investigators from the Department of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP) into their homes. Are you required to let DCPP in your home if there is an investigator on your…
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