Your Rights & Responsibilities: When DCP&P Gets Involved
By Moskowitz Law Group, LLC |When the Department of Child Protection & Permanency (DCP&P) becomes involved in your household, it can feel like your world is crashing down with the threat of a child potentially being taken away.
Being investigated by child protective services can seem invasive and unjust, especially if you feel you are being mistreated or have navigated a difficult divorce. This quick guide can help you to be better informed about the DCP&P and your rights and responsibilities when dealing with them.
What Exactly Does DCP&P Do?
In New Jersey, the DCP&P is responsible for investigations into homes that have been marked for potential child abuse issues and for providing a multitude of services for families. This includes but is not limited to family support services such as:
- Counseling and parental training sessions
- Child behavioral services
- Mental health services
- Foster care
- Domestic violence services
- Information on State guidelines
These services are either provided by the department itself or through subsidiary agencies. Parents may be required to help pay, but if a family cannot afford them, DCP&P can offer them free of charge.
A Parent’s Responsibilities When DCP&P Visits
Parents under investigation by the DCP&P are responsible for maintaining their child’s safety, including financial support.
It is essential to work with the DCP&P and not against them. Parents should disclose what works well in their family and be honest about any challenges they are facing. Nevertheless, it is helpful to discuss your situation with an attorney to be prepared for the interview and investigation process.
They must also provide all relevant information. Parents can work with their assigned worker to update them on any significant changes in their lives, such as a change of address, phone number, or marriage status. It is also vital to provide any information that will help to receive services from the DCP&P, such as financial or insurance information.
A Parent’s Rights When Under Investigation
Parents have specific rights they are entitled to when under investigation, including a right to information, refusing services, disputing a finding, and obtaining an attorney at any time in the process.
Right of Information
Parents have the legal right to know why they are being investigated, what the DCP&P expects them to do, and the services they can provide. Any failure on the part of the DCP&P to disclose that information violates that right.
Right to Refuse Service
If someone does not believe they need any services from the DCP&P to assist their family, they should not be forced or pressured to accept them unless said services are ordered by a court prior to services being rendered.
Right of Dispute
Parents can dispute or contest any decision made by the DCP&P when they are not satisfied with the resolution that is put forward. The right to dispute or contest a decision is time-sensitive and should always be undertaken with the advice of an attorney.
Right to an Attorney
Parents have the right to consult with legal counsel at any point in time during the investigation at their own expense, or in the courtroom if the case is brought to trial.
Contact A Lawyer When You Believe DCP&P Violated Your Rights and Responsibilities As a Parent
A hardworking family law attorney with Moskowitz Law Group can fight on your behalf and ensure the proper management of documents, filings, and Court dates. If you are currently in, or plan to enter, a legal dispute with the DCP&P, get in touch with our office for legal assistance. Learn more about your rights and responsibilities when DCP&P gets involved today.
