The mission of the Connecticut Judicial Branch is to serve the interests of justice and the public by resolving matters brought before it in a fair, timely, efficient and open manner.
Family Services
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I get referred to Family Services?
- Do I need to pay a fee if I have been referred to Family Services?
- Can I obtain information about my case online?
- I am a victim of a Family Violence crime. Can I speak to a Family Relations Counselor about my situation?
- What does Family Services offer its clients in Criminal Court?
- I have been arrested for family violence; what will happen on my first court date?
- What is a Protective Order and how long will it be in effect?
- I was referred to Family Services by the Court for an assessment. What will happen?
- I have been placed under pre-trial supervision with Family Services. What do I need to do to successfully complete my supervision period?
- What is the Family Violence Education Program?
- What is the Explore Program?
- What is the Evolve Program?
- I am representing myself in family civil court; can I get general information about the process online?
- I have questions about divorce and custody. Can I contact a Family Services office for general information?
- What does Family Services offer its clients in Family Court?
- A motion has been filed and my case is scheduled for court, will I see a Family Relations Counselor?
- How is Family Services involved on the day of a Temporary Restraining Order Hearing?
- What is the Parenting Education Program?
- I have been referred to Family Services for a Comprehensive Evaluation. What can I expect at my first appointment?
- What is a Family Civil Intake Screen?
- I will be meeting with a Family Relations Counselor on a motion for child support. What can I do before the meeting to prepare?
1. How do I get referred to Family Services?
- Criminal Court: If you are arrested for family
violence you will be interviewed by a Family Relations Counselor on
your first court appearance following your arrest. If you are the
victim of the family violence, on the defendant’s first court
appearance, the Family Relations Counselor will make a referral for
a Family Violence Victim Advocate to contact you. The Family
Relations Counselor may also speak to you at that time.
- Civil Court: Most services that are offered require a court order for referral after a Family Relations Counselor has conducted an intake interview.
There are no fees associated with services that Family Services provides. However, there may be fees associated with programs that Family Services recommends that you attend. 3. Can I obtain information about my case online?
Yes, at www.jud.ct.gov click on Civil/Criminal case look-up.
- For criminal cases you can see your next court date
- For civil cases you can see the name of motions filed and upcoming court dates.
Criminal Court:
4.
I am a victim of a Family Violence crime. Can I speak to a Family
Relations Counselor about my situation?
- Yes, you may contact a Family Relations Counselor who will provide you with information, assistance and a referral to a Family Violence Victim Advocate. In the event of a pending family violence arrest, information you provide to a Family Relations Counselor may be shared with the court.
- Family Violence Victim Advocates are available in each geographical area court location. Family Violence Victim Advocates are staff members of the local domestic violence program. They provide support and services for victims of family violence. Conversations with a Family Violence Victim Advocate are confidential. This means a Victim Advocate will not tell anyone else what you have told them unless you give permission to do so or the law requires it.
- There is also a Domestic Violence hotline available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-774-2900.
- If there has been an arrest and it has been referred to Family Services for assessment, a Family Relations Counselor will schedule an appointment to speak to you.
- Review of all family violence arrests
- Assessment interviews and recommendations to the court after arraignment
- Administrative monitoring of cases referred for Pre-Trial case management
- Typically, a Family Relations Counselor will interview you before you go in front of the judge
- The Family Relations Counselor will offer
recommendations to the Court regarding:
- Level of Protective Order that may be placed against you
- Possible referral to Family Services for a more in-depth assessment
- Referral to additional programs and services, if appropriate
A protective order is an order issued by a judge to protect a family member, intimate partner or household member. This order may restrict or prohibit your contact with the protected party. This order will be in force until the final disposition of your case or as otherwise modified by the Court. 8. I was referred to Family Services by the Court for an assessment. What will happen?
- You will be given a date and time to be interviewed by a Family Relations Counselor. This appointment may be given to you at court or you may receive an appointment letter in the mail.
- You will need to come to this meeting on time. If you are unable to keep the appointment you should call the Family Relations Counselor who has been assigned to your case.
- You will need to obey all court orders
- Take part in court-ordered treatment programs
- Cooperate with the Family Relations Counselor who has been assigned to your case
- Live a violence-free lifestyle
The Family Violence Education Program is a pretrial program that can be granted by the Court on application by the defendant. Individuals who complete this program may be eligible for a dismissal of the family violence charges against them. The program consists of 13.5 hours of psycho-education aimed at reducing re-offense. Classes are offered statewide by community providers.. 11. What is the Explore Program?
Explore is a group-based program for men who have been convicted of family violence offenses against female intimate partners. Clients are referred by the Court or attendance is a condition of probation. The offender is required to attend 26 weekly classes that are 1 ½ hours long. The classes are currently offered in Bantam/Litchfield, Danbury, Derby, Hartford, Manchester, Middletown, New Haven, New London, Norwalk, Plainville, Stamford and Willimantic. 12. What is the Evolve Program?
Evolve is a behavior modification group for male offenders convicted of domestic violence offenses against female intimate partners. Clients are referred by the Court or attendance is ordered as a condition of probation. The classes meet twice per week for 26 weeks (total: 52 sessions) and are currently available in Bridgeport, New Haven, New London and Waterbury. Family Civil Court:
13. I am representing myself in family civil court; can I get general information about the process online?
Yes, at www.jud.ct.gov click on the Self-Help link on the left. Then click on Representing Yourself. The website contains information on where to get assistance and answers to additional frequently asked questions. You can also click on the Publications Link under Self-Help and click on Family Publications for additional information. 14. I have questions about divorce and custody. Can I contact a Family Services office for general information?
Yes, you may contact a Family Services Office for help with your questions; however, the office cannot give legal advice. You can find your local Family Services’ Office by going to www.jud.ct.gov. Click on the Directories on the left. Then click on Family Services. 15. What does Family Services offer its clients in Family Court?
- Negotiation PDF
- Conciliation PDF
- Mediation PDF
- Pre-Trial Mediation Settlement PDF
- Conflict Resolution Conferences PDF
- Issue Focused Evaluations PDF
- Comprehensive Evaluations PDF
Yes, in most cases you will meet with a Family Relations Counselor before your case is heard by a judge. The Family Relations Counselor will try to help you resolve the dispute that brought you to the court. The Family Relations Counselor will also meet with the other party and with any attorneys who have filed an appearance in your case. 17. How is Family Services involved on the day of a Temporary Restraining Order Hearing?
Before the matter goes to the judge, the Family Relations Counselor will meet separately with the applicant and respondent to gather information and identify the nature of the issues. The Family Relations Counselor will prepare a written agreement for self-represented parties if a resolution is reached. The Court will be notified that a hearing is necessary if there is no agreement between the parties.. 18. What is the Parenting Education Program?
The Parenting Education Program is a class designed to educate adults about how children react to separation and divorce. The classes are offered statewide by community providers and are six hours in length. A brochure describing the class and its locations is available by visiting the Judicial Branch website at www.jud.ct.gov click on self-help and then publications. 19. I have been referred to Family Services for a Comprehensive Evaluation. What can I expect at my first appointment?
Your first appointment with the Family Relations Counselor may be a joint meeting with the other parent of your child (or children). At this appointment, you will talk about the concerns you have about your children and answer concerns that the other parent may raise.
You may also be asked to sign a release of information form that allows the Family Relations Counselor to collect information from other sources that are involved with your family, such as the children’s school, pediatrician, mental health professionals, and others.
It is important to:
- Be on time for your scheduled appointment.
- Bring your filled-out Comprehensive Evaluation Questionnaire. This form will be mailed to you before your first interview.
- Only bring your child(ren) to the appointment if the Family Relations Counselor has asked you to do so.
When a dispute regarding custody or access is referred to Family Services, a Family Relations Counselor will ask both parents a series of questions to identify the level of conflict and complexity of issues between the parents. The screening includes questions about:
- current court orders
- past and present parenting concerns
- level of conflict between the parents
Some of the questions may not be about your case, but are asked of all parents who go through the screening process. This screen helps Family Services determine if mediation, conflict resolution conference, issue focused evaluation, or a comprehensive evaluation is the appropriate service to help the parents to resolve their conflict.
21. I will be meeting with a Family Relations Counselor on a motion for child support. What can I do before the meeting to prepare?You should fill out a financial affidavit before meeting with Family Services. You can find this form at www.jud.ct.gov using the forms link on the right (JD-FM-6) You can also get this form at the Court Services Center in the courthouse. A Family Relations Counselor will help you and the other parent of your child (or children) to fill out a child support guideline worksheet.