The Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is a Los Angeles County government agency, and its job is to investigate child welfare and allegations of abuse, foster care and adoption.

During the growth and development process of children, they tend to go through major hormonal and psychological changes that will directly affect their behavior and personality. Children and tweens continually confront and discover themselves while interacting with others in the process, which can be difficult for them, and they may have a hard time expressing or repressing their emotions.

This can often be identified as a sign of emotional or mental abuse at home and can be alarming, especially when teachers or neighbors witness sudden changes in behavior in children who have not seen them behave in a certain way before.

In most cases, a family member, teacher, doctor or school psychologist makes a report related to home life and the well-being of your children to the Department of Children and Family Services. If this happens, DCFS will schedule a visit to discuss the complaint and such concerns with you. Before this visit takes place, it is important that you seek the advice and support of an attorney experienced in DCFS and Child Protective Service procedures.

If you are dealing with and dealing with previous abuse of your children by another relative or previous misbehavior, we understand your situation and we are here to help you get through this situation: YOU ARE NOT ALONE. DCFS will continue to monitor your family after the visit. If the rules and statutes are not followed during this important period of time, which can span up to about six months, at any time, the child services worker assigned to your case may suggest that your children be removed from your home. This dire situation can be prevented by working strictly with your attorney to ensure that you are following all the established rules. You can count on us to help you with this situation.