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51B INVESTIGATION

DCF / 51B INVESTIGATION

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After a 51A report of suspected child abuse or neglect is screened in, the case enters the 51B investigation phase, a formal inquiry conducted by the Department of Children and Families (DCF). A DCF Response Worker – also known as a 51B Investigator – is assigned to lead this investigation.

WHAT IS A DCF RESPONSE WORKER?

A DCF Response Worker is an investigator tasked with determining whether the allegations made in a 51A report are going to be supported or unsupported. Their responsibility is to collect evidence and assess the child’s safety, living environment, and any potential risks. This typically includes:

Home visits to evaluate living conditions

Interviews with parents, children, and other family members

Conversations with collateral sources like teachers, doctors, or neighbors

Reviewing school records, medical files, and any other relevant documentation

Evaluating risk factors that could affect the child’s well-being.

These investigations are thorough and can happen with little to no notice. In some cases, DCF may also make mandatory referrals to the District Attorney (DA) or coordinate SAIN interviews for allegations involving sexual abuse.

DCF Response FAQs

What happens after a report is screened in?
After a 51A report is screened in, a 51B investigation begins.
A DCF response worker investigates the allegations of child abuse or neglect. These workers collect evidence and assess the child’s safety, living environment, and any potential risks. They do this by conducting home visits, interviews, conversations with collateral sources, record reviews, and risk factor evaluation.
DCF can request to enter your home as part of the investigation. In most cases, you have the right to refuse entry unless they have a court order or are accompanied by law enforcement. This is not, however, recommended.
You can prepare by keeping your home clean and safe, gathering any important documents (medical records, custody orders), and consulting with an attorney beforehand to understand your rights.
Yes. DCF is legally required to provide translation and interpretation services to families with limited English proficiency (LEP). Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and MA Executive Order 526, public agencies like DCF must take reasonable steps to provide meaningful access to services for LEP individuals.

TYPES OF RESPONSES

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

An emergency response happens when DCF believes a child is in immediate danger, such as risk of death, serious injury, or sexual abuse. In these cases, a DCF worker must start the investigation within two (2) hours. The whole emergency investigation must be finished within five (5) business days. The timeline can’t officially be extended, but if things change, DCF might decide to switch it to a non-emergency case. Emergency responses are taken very seriously and are meant to quickly protect children who are in urgent danger.

NON-EMERGENCY RESPONSES

A non-emergency response happens when DCF gets a report of abuse or neglect, but the child is not perceived to be in immediate danger. In non-emergency investigations, DCF has two (2) business days to start the investigation and fifteen (15) business days to finish the investigation. During the 51B investigation, the response worker investigates the child, caregivers, checks records, and evaluates the home. During a non-emergency response, DCF still moves quickly to ensure the child is safe. The investigation can be extended. Regardless of the response type, the goal of the 51B investigation is to determine whether the child is safe, whether the allegations will be supported or not supported, and whether DCF intervention is necessary to protect the child’s welfare.

DCF Response FAQs

What is the goal of 51B investigations?

51B investigations are conducted to determine whether the child is safe, whether the allegations are true, and whether DCF intervention is necessary to protect the child’s welfare.

The investigation can result in a finding of “supported,” “unsupported,” or “substantiated concern.” In some cases, DCF may offer services or seek court involvement even without substantiating allegations.
In an emergency response, the investigation must be started within 2 hours and must finish within 5 working days. Working days are Monday-Friday, excluding holidays and weekends.
If situations change, an emergency response can be changed to a non-emergency response, and a non-emergency response can be changed to an emergency response. For example, a case may be classified as a non-emergency response, but response workers determine that the child is in immediate danger upon further research.
A non-emergency response happens when the child isn’t perceived to be in immediate danger
In a non-emergency response, the investigation has to start within 2 business days and finish within 15 business days.
Yes. DCF can ask for up to ten more business days if they need more time to finish a non-emergency investigation.
During an emergency response, the Department has to visit the subject children of the report within 2-4 hours of receipt of the report. During a non-emregency response, the Department must view the children within three (3) business days of the report.

POSSIBLE OUTCOMES OF A DCF INVESTIGATION

SUPPORTED

A finding of supported means that DCF has determined there is reasonable cause to believe that a child has been abused or neglected, or was at a substantial risk of being abused or neglected. They also must find that the actions/inactions of the caregiver place the child(ren) in danger or present a substantial risk to the child(ren) ‘s safety or well-being.

Depending on the circumstances of the case, this outcome can lead to the family being offered or required to participate in services, possible further legal action such as DCF filing a Care and Protection Petition in court, and the alleged perpetrator being listed in DCF’s Central Registry, which can affect future employment in child-related fields

UNSUPPORTED

A finding of unsupported means that DCF did not have reasonable cause to believe that abuse or neglect occurred. In case of an unsupported finding, the case is closed with no further action, and no record is added to the Central Registry. DCF may still offer voluntary services if concerns were noted, but the family is not required to accept them.

SUBSTANTIATED CONCERN

In cases where DCF finds that there is reasonable cause to believe a child was neglected, and that the actions/inactions of the parents or caregivers create a moderate risk and there is a presence of contributing risk factors that increase the likelihood of the child(ren) being neglected.

Outcome FAQ’s?

What is the DCF Central Registry?

The DCF registry is a confidential database maintained by DCF, including the names of individuals who have been found to be responsible for supported allegations of child abuse or neglect.

No. The Central Registry is not public. Only certain authorized entities (like DCF, law enforcement, or employers conducting background checks in specific fields) can access it.
Yes. If DCF supports a report against you and intends to list your name, you will receive notice and have the right to request a Fair Hearing to challenge the finding, be represented by an attorney during the appeal, submit evidence, and call witnesses.
For the purpose of the outcomes of a DCF investigation, reasonable cause to beleive means a collection of facts, knowledge, or observations which tend to support or are consistent with the 51A report allegations, and when viewed in light of the surrounding circumstances and credibility of persons providing information would lead one to conclude that a child(ren) has been abused or neglected.

ONGOING ASSESSMENTS & CONTINUED DCF INVOLVEMENT

When DCF completes its initial response to a report, it may determine that further involvement is necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of the child(ren). In such cases, the matter may transition into an ongoing assessment. This phase represents a deeper, more sustained level of engagement between DCF and the family, focused on not only addressing immediate risks but also on promoting long-term stability

WHAT IS AN ONGOING ASSESSMENT?

An ongoing assessment refers to DCF’s continued monitoring and support after the initial response phase. This process is initiated when concerns about abuse, neglect, or risk factors – such as substance abuse, domestic violence, or mental health challenges – remain unsolved or require longer-term intervention.
The purpose of an ongoing assessment is to:

  • Continue evaluating the family’s strengths and needs
  • Monitor the child’s safety and living conditions
  • Provide services and supports that can reduce risk and strengthen the family unit
  • Work toward family reunification or permanent placement, depending on the case.

During this time, DCF staff will maintain close contact with the family, visit the home regularly, speak with the child and caregivers, and update the action or safety plan as needed. A DCF action/safety plan is a written agreement created by DCF to address concerns about a child’s safety and well-being. These plans are typically put into place after DCF receives a report of abuse or neglect, or when DCF determines there are risks in the home that need to be addressed. The purpose of an action/safety plan is to outline specific steps and responsibilities for the family and DCF to follow to keep the child safe. The plan will identify the safety concerns, describe what actions need to be taken, and assing responsibilities. For example, a safety plan might require a parent to attend counseling or participate in substance abuse treatment.

During this phase, DCF may also offer services. Services refer to the support, programs, and resources provided to children and families to help ensure stability and well-being. These services can help support families in crisis and assist parents in addressing challenges like substance abuse, mental health, or housing needs. Examples of DCF services include case management, counseling, parenting classes, foster care, adoption support, and reunification efforts. These services aim to keep children safe and support families in creating a stable home environment.

These assessments are typically reviewed and updated in 60-day increments but may continue indefinitely until DCF determines the home environment is stable and safe enough to close the case.

ROLE OF THE ONGOING WORKER

Once a case enters the ongoing assessment phase, it is typically assigned to an ongoing worker – A DCF social worker who is responsible for managing the case during the Department’s continued involvement. The ongoing worker collaborates with the family to create a plan for change, and their involvement continues until either the identified risks are resolved or a more permanent legal resolution occurs.

Ongoing Assessments and Continued DCF Involvement FAQs

What is an ongoing assessment?
An ongoing assessment happens when DCF decides to continue monitoring and supporting a family after the initial response. The purpose of an ongoing assessment is to continue evaluating the family’s strengths and needs, monitor the child’s safety and living conditions, provide services and supports that can reduce risk and strengthen the family unit, and work toward family reunification or permanent placement.
If a caretaker is struggling with substance abuse, domestic violence, or mental health challenges, an ongoing assessment might happen.
DCF will maintain close contact with the family, visit the home regularly, speak with the child and caregivers, and update the action or safety plan as needed.
An action or safety plan is a written agreement between DCF and the family that outlines specific steps to keep the child safe.
DCF may offer services like case management, counseling, parenting classes, substance abuse treatment, and foster care support.
Ongoing assessments are usually reviewed and updated every 60 days.
Ongoing workers are DCF social workers who are responsible for managing ongoing assessments during continued involvement. They collaborate with the family to create a plan for change and stay involved until either the identified risks are resolved or a more permanent legal resolution occurs.