How Many Clients Does Dcf Service In Florida


		Impress ACCESS TO INFORMATION IN JUVENILE Court PROCEEDINGS LEGAL GUIDE - ACCESS TO DCF Client RECORDS
		All records maintained by the Department of Children and Families are confidential and may only exist disclosed with the consent of the individual who is the subject of the records or as authorized by the statute.1 Disclosure of information without consent of the individual is permitted, and in some cases, mandated by law, under sure circumstances. What information is protected? How is disclosure of data from DCF records authorized by a parent or child? When can information from DCF records exist disclosed without consent? WHAT Information IS PROTECTED? DCF customer information and records2 include: records created or obtained in connection with DCF's child protection activities or other activities related to a child while in the intendance or custody of DCF; information in the Primal Registry of confirmed victims of kid abuse and/or neglect;3 Examples include social records, diagnostic evaluations, psychiatric or psychological reports, videotapes, transcripts and audio recordings of a child�s statement of abuse, and medical records. Note that "other activities related to a kid while in the care or custody of DCF" includes voluntary services and the post-adjudication custody of juveniles who have been convicted as delinquent and committed to the custody of DCF. See Juvenile Justice Records. Records held by DCF concerning these juveniles are protected co-ordinate to the provisions discussed in this section. Records can be requested from the Legal Division of DCF. HOW IS DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION FROM DCF RECORDS AUTHORIZED Past A PARENT OR CHILD? A parent can consent in writing to the release of information from their DCF records. An emancipated kid or youth historic period 18 or older can also provide written consent, as tin can an attorney or authorized representative of the DCF client. Clients more often than not consent by signing an say-so to release data from these records. Consent for disclosure of DCF records is express to specified information inside a limited time period to specifically identified individuals. Consent requirements may vary depending on the type of record and the purpose for which it may exist used. Run into Consent for more information. WHEN CAN INFORMATION FROM DCF RECORDS Exist DISCLOSED WITHOUT CONSENT The department is required to disclose records without the consent of the person who is the subject area of the record to the following individuals under certain circumstances.4 A person named in the tape A person name in the record, other than the subject of the record, may obtain information nether two circumstances: The data is about that person or that person�s biological or adoptive minor child, if the person's parental rights to the child have not been terminated. The information identifies an private who reported abuse or fail of the person and a court determines that in that location is reasonable cause to believe the reporter knowingly made a false report or that the interests of justice require disclosure. DCF employees All employees take access to records for whatever purpose reasonably related to the operation of their duties. Individuals representing the child or section These include a guardian ad litem or attorney appointed to correspond a child in litigation affecting the best interests of the child or youth, the chaser general while representing the department, the Child Advocate, and the office of the Principal Public Defender. Law enforcement Records must exist disclosed to a state�s attorney or a state or federal law enforcement officer for purposes of investigating and prosecuting an allegation related to child abuse or neglect. If the kid is not existence charged with an criminal offense related to kid abuse, but is charged with the committee of a delinquent act, the country�south chaser must obtain a release and may only have access during the prosecution of the delinquency example. Foster or prospective adoptive parents The department must disclose records pertaining to a kid currently placed with the foster or prospective adoptive parent or being considered for placement that are necessary to address the social, medical, psychological or educational needs of the child or youth, provided no information identifying a biological parent is disclosed without the permission of the biological parent. Courts A judge or employee of a probate court may obtain data necessary to perform official duties of the court. A judge of the Superior Courtroom may obtain records when needed to determine the appropriate disposition of a child bedevilled as delinquent or a kid who is a member of a family with service needs. The department must release records in response to a court order or a subpoena for purposes of a review by a approximate of the Superior Court in a criminal prosecution. In a Superior Courtroom concerning domestic violence involving the kid or parent DCF records must exist released to the judge and all necessary parties. School officials A local or regional lath of pedagogy may accept access to educational records created or obtained past the country or DCF. The superintendent or executive manager of a school must be notified when DCF receives a study that implicates an employee of the school in an allegation of abuse or fail of a child. Other state agencies Several country agencies have access to DCF records for purposes express by the statute to information needed for the agency to perform its responsibilities towards children. DCF has discretion to release information to certain individuals or agencies without a client�s consent if it is determined to be in the client's best involvement. These individuals and agencies include: DCF employees An employee or former employee of the department may obtain records that are necessary to an authoritative or disciplinary proceeding. Multidisciplinary teams Multidisciplinary teams are organized past the Commissioner of DCF in conjunction with police force enforcement agencies to review item cases or coordinate the prevention, intervention and treatment in cases of child corruption. DCF may disembalm records necessary to the work of the team. Service providers The department may disclose data it deems necessary for the provision of services or for identifying and assessing a potential foster or adoptive home for a child or youth. Other agencies Information may be disclosed to Connecticut�southward Department of Social Services or to a court or public in some other jurisdiction for purposes of providing services to children and families. Health Care Professionals Information may be disclosed to a md examining a child with respect to whom abuse or neglect is suspected when the physician requires the information to determine whether to proceed the kid in protective custody. Information may be disclosed to an private or organization who is treating an private who has either perpetrated abuse or neglect or is unwilling or unable to protect a kid or youth from abuse or neglect when the commissioner determines that the disclosure is necessary to accomplish the objectives of diagnosis or treatment. Reporter Information may be disclosed to the individual who made a written report of abuse or fail, limited to the status of the investigation and the general blazon of action taken by the department. Researcher Information that does non identify the private may be disclosed for purposes of bona fide research. Fee collection agencies Limited information may be disclosed to an individual or agency involved in the collection of fees for services. Law enforcement If there is reasonable cause to believe that a child is beingness driveling or neglected or at risk of existence abused or neglected equally a result of whatsoever suspected criminal activity, the department may disclose necessary information to law enforcement agencies. Person(s) part of the investigation Any individual interviewed as function of an investigation may receive data limited to the full general nature of the allegations contained in the reports, the identity of the child, and information necessary to effectively conduct the investigation. Public reports When data concerning an incident of kid abuse or neglect has been made public or is likely to become public, the department may disembalm information limited to whether the department has received any written report and a general clarification of action taken by the section and the legal condition of the case, provided that no individuals are identified. To assist with missing persons Limited data may be disclosed to any individual for the purpose of locating that person�s missing parent or kid. Fatality General information may be disclosed concerning an incident of abuse or neglect that resulted in a child fatality or well-nigh fatality, as long as information technology does not jeopardize a pending investigation. In court Records may exist disclosed to a courtroom of competent jurisdiction whenever an employee of the department is subpoenaed and ordered to testify well-nigh such records. DCF contractor DCF may provide data to an individual who is not employed by the section who arranges, performs or assists in performing functions or activities on behalf of the section, including, but not limited to, data analysis, processing or assistants, utilization reviews, quality assurance, exercise management, consultation, information aggregation and accreditation services. The section may disclose records without the consent of the person who is the subject of the tape to the individuals listed beneath under certain circumstances.5 The department may, still, turn down to disclose the records, if it notifies the private seeking the information of the reasons for its refusal. The person may and so petition the courtroom for release of the data.6