Massachusetts DSS (DCF) Law
Massachusetts DSS (DCF) Cases - Care & Protection, Abuse & Neglect, 51A Reports, Fair Hearings
The Massachusetts Department of Social Services has recently changed its name to the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF).
"This change gives the department a name that is more descriptive of its mission to strengthen families and protect children from abuse and neglect. We believe this change provides us an opportunity to reempahsize the positive strength-based work of the agency and to inform the public about the full scope of services we provide to children and families. We are excited about the task before us and look forward to our continued work together." - DSS (DCF) Department Name Change
Over the past 10 years, Attorney James M. Ianiri has represented many parents and minor children throughout Massachusetts in all types of DSS (DCF) cases and situations—51A reports and 51B investigations, Fair Hearings, Foster Care Reviews, Care and Protection Petitions and Termination of Parental Rights cases, from cases involving substance abuse, shaken baby syndrome, homelessness, unsanitary housing conditions, incarceration, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and extreme neglect. While he agrees with the Department’s overall mission of protecting children and strengthening families, Attorney Ianiri also understands that sometimes DSS abuses its extraordinary authority by failing to conduct proper investigations, pursuing unnecessary investigations or assessments, relying on highly questionable information and hearsay evidence, and failing to act in accordance with its own rules and regulations. Sometimes parents are wrongly accused of abusing or neglecting their children when a vindictive neighbor who knows how to manipulate the system decides to report a 51A. Often, at the conclusion of an Assessment or during a Care and Protection case, DSS either fails to offer the kind of support and services parents genuinely need to ensure the safety and success of their children or insist on services that are not necessary and blaming the parents when they fail to perform their tasks on a Service Plan. Too often, decent, law-abiding families witness first-hand the dark side of government when one questionable event turns into a Kafka-esque nightmare that in extreme cases involves the removal of a child from the only home that child has ever known. Attorney Ianiri knows how best to ensure that your rights are protected, DSS follows the law and your child is returned home as quickly as possible.
Parents absolutely need to know their constitutional and statutory rights when DSS (DCF) calls or comes to their door. If you are accused of abuse or neglect or are the subject of a 51B investigation, Assessment or a Care and Protection petition, do not wait! Most DSS matters are extremely time sensitive. Call Attorney James Ianiri for a free and immediate consultation.
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