Blog

Caring for a special needs child can put any parent to the test. The challenges families with special needs children face are unique. Accordingly, all New Jersey child abuse cases involving special needs children involve many factors that can complicate efforts. But the State of New Jersey remains dedicated to meeting the needs of all…

State CPS agencies are required under federal law to keep records of child abuse and neglect reports and cases, including case findings, confidential. This is an important protection due to the gravity and nature of these cases. But that confidentiality has exceptions. Thus, a parent who is involved with the DCPP, New Jersey’s CPS agency,…

You Have a Right to Disagree DCPP, formerly DYFS, is New Jersey’s child welfare agency. After investigating a child abuse referral, the DCPP will issue a finding. Findings are the results of the investigation. Parents have a right to appeal certain findings made by the DCPP. Those findings include substantiated and established. DCPP appeals, however,…

The Power of the DYFS/DCPP The DCPP (formerly the DYFS), New Jersey’s CPS agency, has the power to remove children from their homes and put them in foster placement. Typically, DCPP will try to place children with relatives before they resort to traditional foster families. Relatives who assume the caretaking responsibilities of the children may…

Facing Child Neglect Allegations Child neglect allegations can leave you feeling shocked and overwhelmed. When the DCPP (formerly the DYFS) investigates you for neglect, it helps to know what to do and where to turn. Because our firm has helped so many parents face allegations as serious as child neglect, here are five tips that…

If you are involved with the DCP&P, and it does not decide to remove your child from your home, it does not necessarily need to involve the court.

Among the several placement options available when a child is removed from the home, being placed with relatives is sometimes the best.

If the allegations of abuse or neglect only involved one child, caseworkers won’t necessarily remove all your children. But the agency is required to assess the safety of all children in the household, whether the allegation involved them or not.