Call the Child Protection Hotline 202-671-7233 (SAFE)
General Information
In the District, the Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) has the responsibility and legal authority to protect child victims, and those at risk, of abuse and neglect throughout the city. District law requires response to reports of abuse and neglect of children and youth up to age 18. CFSA initiates a court case.
Your Abuse and Neglect Court Case
You are in court because a complaint about your child’s care has been filed in the Family Court. The complaint asks the court to decide if your child has been neglected and/or abused and who will have custody of your child.
Your case is a child neglect case. The purpose of child neglect cases is to protect neglected and abused children. They are not criminal cases, but separate criminal cases are sometimes filed.
Because of deadlines for parents, you should start working with your lawyer right away to help you meet your goals for your child’s custody.
Who will be involved in my case?
The court will provide you with a lawyer. Your lawyer is on the Counsel for Child Abuse and Neglect (CCAN) Panel. The CCAN office is located in room JM-100 on the JM level of the Moultrie courthouse. The hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You can reach the CCAN office at 202-879-1406.
The Assistant Attorney General (AAG) is the lawyer for the District of Columbia who represents CFSA. The AAG presents evidence in support of CFSA’s claim that your child is abused or neglected. You should not speak wit the AAG without your attorney present.
The Court appoints a lawyer for your child, called a guardian ad litem (GAL) who will help your child understand what is happening in the case and to tell the judge what is in your child’s best interest. Talk to your lawyer first to decide if you want to talk to the GAL and what you will discuss with the GAL.
The social worker works for CFSA and part of the social worker’s job is to provide services to you and your child, helping you and your family. The social worker tells the judge what he or she thinks is in the child’s best interest and where you child should live.
Your case will be assigned to a Family Court judge. This judge will usually hear your case from the start until the case closes. The judge makes decisions based on the law and any evidence that is presented. The judge will hear from everyone in court but the judge makes the final decision.
8 Steps to Help You Reunify With Your Child:
- Get treatment or other help the court requires NOW – DON’T DELAY
- Make your child your top priority
- Visit your child as often as the court allows – don’t miss a visit
- If you have to miss a visit call your social worker in advance
- Go to every court hearing
- Call your lawyer and social worker every week - leave a message if they are out
- Follow all the court orders
- Keep a journal of important dates
Child Protection Mediation
Child protection mediation provides an opportunity for parents, attorneys and social workers to meet with a neutral mediator in a confidential setting to discuss alternative methods of resolving a child abuse and neglect case, including a discussion of services for parents and children.