"CYF" - Spivak Law Firm

CYF and Parental Rights

Posted on March 16 2021 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Children have the right to visit with both of their parents in a case involving Children Youth and Families (CYF).

If a parent is not currently involved, the agency will try to offer the parent services and visitation to begin to form a relationship between them and the child.

The exception to these efforts would be if there was a documented account of the parent hurting the child or other children.

In a case like that, the agency would investigate what happened and see if it is reasonable to provide services while still assuring your child’s safety.

Spivak Law Firm handles all family law matters, including: child custody, child support, divorce, Protection From Abuse (PFA) and CYF. To schedule an appointment, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

What Is CYF?

Posted on October 26 2020 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Children Youth and Families is the name of the child-welfare agency in Allegheny County.

The stated purpose of CYF is: to protect children from abuse and neglect, to keep families together whenever possible, and to make sure that every child has a safe, permanent home.

The agency ensures that basis needs are met by their families, including: food, safe housing, supervision, clothing, and medical care.

The agency investigates reports of child abuse, neglect, and teen issues to determine if they are true.

If the reports are true and safety issues identified, the agency must decide if the child will be safe if they stay in their parent’s home.

Most of the time, children can stay in their home with their parents and the family will receive services to address the safety issues.

Other times the safety issues cannot be addressed while the child remains in the home and the child enters placement.

Children may be placed with a relative, in a foster home, or in a group home facility.

When a child is placed, visitation must be arranged for the child and the parent to keep their relationship strong.

Spivak Law Firm provides strong, effective advocacy for people facing child abuse allegations. To speak with an attorney experienced in family law and criminal defense, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

CYF FAQ

Posted on August 23 2020 by wirthdesign

CYF:

Can you represent me in my CYF matter?
Yes. Spivak Law Firm represents parents at all hearings initiated by Allegheny County Children Youth and Families (CYF) Services. We help parents navigate a complex legal process with the aim of preserving their parental rights. To schedule a consultation with a CYF attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

What is CYF?
CYF stands for Children Youth and Families (CYF) Services of Allegheny County. It is the governmental agency that investigates allegations of child abuse and neglect. In some counties, the agency is known as Child and Youth Services (CYS) or Child Protection Services (CPS). In Pennsylvania, the Juvenile Act provides child welfare agencies the authority to intervene in the lives of children who need state protections. For more information, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

What is a dependent child?
The Juvenile Act provides ten (10) definitions for a dependent child, including a child who: lacks proper parental care or control; has been abandoned; is without a parent, guardian or legal custodian; or is habitually truant from school. To learn more, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

What is a shelter care hearing?
The shelter care hearing represents the first court proceeding in a dependency action initiated by CYF. When CYF removes a child from the home, a shelter care hearing must occur within 72 hours to determine if the child can be returned home or should remain in another setting until a full hearing is conducted. The child may be temporarily placed with a relative, a foster parent or in a group home setting. The Court prefers to place the child with a relative, is possible. To discuss your CYF matter with an attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

What is an adjudicatory hearing?
The adjudicatory hearing determines if the allegations of abuse or neglect have been proven and support CYF’s intervention. This important hearing is followed by the disposition hearing, in which the Court determines who will have custody and control of a child who is deemed dependent. To speak with a family law attorney about your CYF case, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

What is a Family Service Plan?
A Family Service Plan is a detailed set of requirements that the family must successfully complete to be reunified or to end CYF in-home supervision of the family. Every three months, a review hearing is held to monitor the progress that the family makes on the Family Service Plan. For more information about the CYF process, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

What is termination of parental rights?
Termination of parental rights refers to the process for ending the rights of parents of a child. These include the rights to visit, communicate with and obtain information about the child. A Court’s decision to terminate parental rights is a precursor to adoption. To learn more about termination of parental rights, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Children Youth and Families (CYF)

Posted on April 13 2020 by wirthdesign

Allegheny County CYF Attorneys

If you are under investigation by Allegheny County Children and Family (CYF) Services, you may be at risk of losing your children and your parental rights.

Many CYF investigations are prompted by a report to the agency from a relative, teacher, or medical professional that your child has been neglected or abused. A CYF investigation may also result from an allegation of child abuse as part of a criminal or Protection From Abuse (PFA) Order.

In Pennsylvania, the Juvenile Act provides child welfare agencies such as CYF the authority to intervene in the lives of children who may need state protections.

At Spivak Law Firm, we have helped many parents navigate the complex legal process to reunite them with their children due to CYF involvement. To schedule a consultation with a CYF attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

CYF Process In Pennsylvania

When CYF removes a child from a family due to allegations of neglect or abuse, there is a shelter care hearing within 72 hours. The purpose of the shelter care hearing is to determine if the can child can return home or should remain in another setting until a full hearing is conducted. The Court prefers to place the child with a relative, if possible.

Next, there is an adjudication hearing to decide if the allegations have been proven by the evidence and support CYF’s intervention on behalf of the child. The adjudication hearing is immediately followed by the disposition hearing, in which the court determines who will have custody and control of the child. Review hearings are scheduled every 90 days to review the progress or lack of progress made by parents.

At Spivak Law Firm, we strongly encourage parents to have an attorney at every hearing stage in the dependency process to protect their rights. To speak with an attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

PFA and CYF

Posted on April 13 2020 by wirthdesign

Pittsburgh PFA and CYF Attorneys

If you are served with a Protection From Abuse (PFA) Order based on child abuse allegations, the action may trigger a Children Youth and Families (CYF) investigation.

In Pennsylvania, CYF has sixty (60) days to complete an investigation. As a result, your PFA hearing will likely be rescheduled to allow the caseworker time to complete an investigation and determine if your family will be accepted for CYF services.

If CYF gets involved, you may be separated completely from your child for a period of months. Courts generally will not hold a PFA hearing until CYF has issued its recommendation and findings.

Spivak Law Firm provides strong advocacy for people accused of abuse. We handle all areas of family law, including PFA, CYF and child custody. Call Spivak Law Firm today at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

What To Do If CYF Contacts You

If a caseworker from Children Youth and Families (CYF) contacts you, we strongly advise you to call Spivak Law Firm before your interview. We generally recommend our clients comply with CYF requests for home visits and interviews in order to facilitate a positive outcome.

The Courts rely heavily on CYF investigations and recommendations when determining whether it is safe to restore a parent’s custodial rights. If you are indicated for abuse or neglect by CYF, you may be ordered to complete a substance-abuse evaluation, a mental-health assessment and parenting classes.

We work closely with parents accused of child abuse in an attempt to reunite them with their children. To speak with an experienced PFA and CYF attorney, call Spivak Law Firm today at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

CYF and Removing Kids

Posted on February 5 2020 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

When safety issues cannot be addressed while a child remains in the home, Children Youth and Families (CYF) may remove the child from the home.

The child may be placed with a relative, in a foster home, or in a group home facility.

Out-of-home placement is a devastating event for the child and the entire family.

The trauma of separation can affect a child’s learning, emotional, and behavioral well-being for a long time.

Placement is also traumatic for parents and can affect their ability to function normally. It is critical that children be returned to their family as soon as safely possible.

To speak with an experienced family law attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Domestic Abuse: Behavioral Effects On Kids

Posted on April 21 2022 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Children who witness domestic violence may have the following behavioral effects:

Poor impulse control
Stress disorders and psychosomatic complaints
Increased social isolation or withdrawal
Increased deceptiveness
Aggressiveness
Dependence
Passiveness
Bed-wetting
Nightmares
Lack of creativity and healthy exploration
Feelings of powerlessness
Low self-esteem
Feelings of worthlessness
Confusion and insecurity
Sadness and depression
Poor definition of self
Defines self in parenting role
Ambivalence
Constant fear
Self-blame

Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law, including: child custody, child support, divorce, Protection From Abuse (PFA) and Children Youth and Families (CYF).

We provide strong, compassionate, cost-effective representation. To schedule a consultation, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Child Custody and Abuse Allegations

Posted on December 31 2021 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Allegations of sexual or physical abuse of a child may complicate a child custody case.

Courts take child abuse allegations very seriously, often prompting Child, Youth, and Family (CYF) Services investigations and forensic evaluations by medical professionals and law enforcement.

The alleged perpetrator, victim, and relevant third parties are all interviewed.

If the allegations are determined to be “unfounded,” evaluators and caseworkers make recommendations that often include family counseling.

It could take months for CYF to make final determinations, and a court will likely restrict your custody rights during that time.

Spivak Law Firm provides strong, effective advocacy for people facing child abuse allegations.

To speak with an attorney experienced in family law and criminal defense, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

PFA Hearings: Child Testimony

Posted on May 7 2021 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

A child under 13-years-old who alleges physical or sexual abuse may not have to testify at a Protection From Abuse (PFA) hearing under Pennsylvania Law.

The Tender Years Hearsay Act allows a psychologist or caseworker from Children Youth and Families (CYF) to testify on the child’s behalf.

The purpose of the Act is to protect children from the added trauma of appearing in court to describe the details of the alleged assault.

New legislation may expand the Act to include children under 17-years-old.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania opposes the bill on grounds that it violates the defendant’s right to due process.

Courts heavily rely on other professionals to determine whether abuse on a child actually occurred.

There may be a forensic interview conducted by a child abuse specialist in the presence of a police detective and a CYF caseworker.

Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law and criminal defense with a special focus on PFA, domestic abuse and high-conflict child custody.

Call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Children Who Witness Domestic Abuse

Posted on March 4 2021 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Children who witness domestic abuse may have the following range of symptoms:

Loss of appetite
Sleep disturbance
School problems – refuses to attend, truancy, poor performance
Anxiety, fear of abandonment
Increased violent behavior
Verbal abusiveness, lying
Regression – wanting bottle, baby talk, thumb sucking
Perfectionism
Shyness
Tantrums

Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law, including: child custody, child support, divorce, Protection From Abuse (PFA) and Children Youth and Families (CYF).

To schedule a consultation, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.