In Rhode Island, the Department for Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) investigates complaints regarding abuse or neglect of children by parents and caretakers. The Department can "indicate" or "unfound" a complaint, and provide services without Court intervention. A person aggrieved by Departmental action can appeal, first, within the Agency and then to the courts. Not all cases end at the administrative level. The courts can be involved in several ways. The DCYF can file abuse or neglect charges that are non-criminal in nature. These go to the Family Court, and are intended to assist and protect the child, preserving the family if possible. You are entitled to retain counsel for assistance at each stage of these proceedings. We have assisted parents, foster parents, and pre-adoptive parents in dealing the the DCYF and the Rhode Island Family Court at every stage, and brought the first case establishing an appeal from a DCYF finding to the Family Court. Often we can assist you in securing service, even when the DCYF is involved and charges are filed. If you have been contacted by the DCYF, and you want assistance in connection with an investigation, or if the Department is already involved and you have questions, we can meet with you and discuss your options...and your rights. Contact Timothy J. Conlon, in Providence, Rhode Island, and let us put our experience and distinguished record of results to work for you.