Personal Statement Of The Department Of Children And Families

CLIENT: Alex is a seven year old Caucasian female. She is struggling emotionally and socially. She was held back in the first grade. Alex has been involved with The Department of Children and Families (DCF) since she was born. The mission statement of The Department of Children and Families is to, â€Å"Strive to protect children from abuse and neglect and, in partnership with families and communities, ensure children are able to grow and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment.† (Commonwealth of Massachusetts, About the Department of Children Families, 2015) SOCIAL HISTORY: Since birth to age 4 there had been multiple 51A’s that were filed against Alex’s biological parents: Tiffani Plausse, age 24 and Dakota Rotunno, age 27. The†¦show more content†¦Alex said she was pushed off the counter in which she was climbing onto. When the teacher asked who had pushed Alex she hesitantly said, â€Å"Daddy.† When Alex was asked why she was climbing onto the counter she responded with â€Å"I looking for food.† Alex later disclosed that she had not eaten breakfast or dinner at home in two days. After investigation of the 51A, it was later found supported. The third 51A was filed by a Brockton police officer who responded to a domestic dispute call from a neighboring apartment. When the police officer had arrived to the apartment there were drugs, needles, and alcohol all in reach of Alex. Tiffani and Dakota had also appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and methamphetamine’s. An emergency removal from deemed appro priate. After Alex’s removal both her biological mother and father wished to terminate their parental rights (Alex, age 4). Thus making the goal of reunification to adoption. Alex’s foster parents Savhanna and Matt would like to adopt Alex into their family. â€Å" The Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) †¦ defines child abuse and neglect as, at minimum: Any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation; or†¨ An act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm.† (U.S. Department of Health Human Services and Administration for Children Families, Definitions of Child Abuse