Background...

A sad fact is that here in New London County, Connecticut, children are neglected and abused far too often and sometimes with devastating consequences.  On average, over 600 petitions alleging abuse and/or neglect are filed each year in the Superior Court for Juvenile Matters in Waterford.  The impact on our community and its limited resources is significant.

As a matter of law, each child who becomes involved in a child protection case is entitled to an attorney to represent his or her rights in the legal proceedings.  These matters are extraordinarily legally complex and are compounded by the emotions associated with family turmoil.  Representing children presents its own unique challenges because a child client cannot readily pick up a phone, write a letter, send an email or otherwise communicate with his or her attorney like an adult client.

Recognizing the specialized needs of child clients, the Connecticut Child Protection Attorney, through the Commission on Child Protection, requested proposals for a unique type of law firm – one that would exclusively represent these children. SECCJJ was selected by the Commission on Child Protection to operate a multi-disciplinary approach to representing abused and neglected children in New London County. The multi-disciplinary approach involves the appointment of an attorney and a child welfare advocate for each child. The child’s legal team works together coordinating and participating in court activity; attending administrative hearings; obtaining records; conferring with educational and therapeutic providers; and, most importantly, visiting with the child as often as possible.

SECCJJ represents clients in an array of cases that require the attorney and child welfare advocate to thoroughly know the law and the facts of each case; the family dynamic; and, most importantly, the very unique child.  Our cases range from protecting the child from an abusive condition to striving to protect family integrity by advocating for needed services.

Although most child protection cases that find their way to the local newspaper or news broadcast involve extreme cases of abuse or neglect, the vast majority of cases involve parents who love their children but are battling personal demons and/or economic hard times.  We often propose solutions, and obtain court orders, limiting the Department of Children and Families’ intrusion into our client’s families. One of the prime missions of SECCJJ is to help preserve family integrity.  The lawyers and child welfare advocates at SECCJJ take great pride whenever a child can safely remain at home or be reunited with family from foster care.

In addition to child protection cases, SECCJJ also assists the court by representing children on probate matters that are transferred to the superior court; Family with Service Needs matters; emancipation cases; and, to also serve as guardian ad litem on very challenging juvenile delinquent cases.