Education - absenteeism/refusal to send

Reversed - DCF did not have a reasonable basis to support allegations of neglect by Appellant mother as a result of her drinking alcohol when 1) she had never put the children at risk or failed to adequately care for them due to her drinking; 2) she was willingly meeting with a therapist, attending…

Affirmed - DCF had reasonable cause to support a finding of neglect because 1) Appellant mother had a history of struggling to ensure child's attendance in school for the last two years 2) the child missed 33 days of school and was frequently late or pulled out early 3) while at school child was…

Affirmed - DCF had a reasonable basis for closing the case and terminating services for the young adult Appellant with prior notice according to policies when the young adult was not complying with the rules set forth by the policies, including (1) a commitment to educational programs, (2) attending…

Affirmed - DCF had reasonable cause to support a decision against the Appellant Foster Mother where: (1) Appellant lied or withheld information from DCF; (2) Appellant disappeared from the home for weeks at a time and left the child in an unapproved caretaker’s care when that caretaker had a…

Affirmed - DCF had reasonable cause to find neglect because 1) the Appellant failed to secure/dispense the child's prescribed medication 2) the Appellant failed to fill the child's medication for six months 3) the Appellant was aware of their child's mental health concerns including a previous…

Reversed - DCF did not have reasonable cause in order to support a finding of neglect because 1) there is little evidence that the appellants knowingly allowed their child to skip school and 2) the school waited until the child's absences reached a critical number before they notified the appellants…

Affirmed - DCF had reasonable cause to support a finding of neglect because 1) child had 30 school absences during the 2015-2016 school year and was retained to repeat the second grade as a result 2) child had 32 excused and 19 unexcused absences during the 2016-2017 school year, absent for a total…

Remanded - While DCF had reasonable basis for closing Appellant's case and terminating services where Appellant failed to comply with the terms of his placement agreement/service plan by acting aggressive to peers and staff, regularly leaving the program without permission, abusing alcohol and…

Reversed - DCF did not have reasonable cause to find neglect when, while there would typically be cause to believe neglect was present related to a child’s truancy, the truancy was directly related to special circumstances where (1) there was a change in psychiatric services to the child, (2) the…

Reversed - DCF did not have reasonable cause to support a finding of neglect because 1) Appellant mother was having difficulty with her son who started attending school inconsistently after beginning a relationship with a student who had a long history of truancy 2) Appellant mother was…

Affirmed - DCF had reasonable basis for finding neglect where actions/inaction of Appellant Mother failed to provide for son’s minimally adequate care. Appellant Mother did not address (1) her child’s medical needs as recommended and necessary, including presentation of depressive/anxious symptoms…

Remanded - DCF acted reasonably in making its decision to close Appellant's case and terminate services when Appellant would leave his program without permission, physically fight with other residents, engage in sexually inappropriate behavior, not attend high school consistently, not work on…

Affirmed - DCF had a reasonable basis for closing the case and terminating services of the Young Adult Appellant when, after entering into a Voluntary Placement Agreement, the Appellant failed to meet the expectations of her placement by routinely missing the curfew at her foster home, failing to…

Affirmed - DCF had a reasonable basis for closing the case and terminating services provided under Appellant's Voluntary Placement Agreement when Appellant did not attend classes and failed to withdraw in time, provided no proof of employment, misused EVT funds, acquired criminal charges (disorderly…

Affirmed - DCF had reasonable cause to support a finding of neglect because 1) the children were exposed to discord in the chaotic home which led to them having behavioral and demeanor changes 2) the children were not up to date medically 3) their attendance in school was historically poor and…