This handbook was created by The Department of Children and Families (DCF) / The Division of Child Protection & Permanency (DCP&P) formerly known as DYFS to help families involved with the DCP&P whose children have been placed in foster care. Families need to know why children have been removed from their parents’ care, what to expect when this happens, and how and when their children can return home.
Because your child is now in placement, it is critically important for you to understand what will happen next, what you can expect from DCP&P and the Family Court, and what they will expect of you.
This handbook was written to answer some of the questions that parents ask. It can help to guide the work we will face together in the coming months so that your children can return home safely. However, reading this handbook should not take the place of paying careful attention to the specific details, timelines, and requirements of your own unique family situation.

Prepared by:
State of New Jersey
Department of Children and Families
Division of Youth and Family Services
www.nj.gov/dcf