John H. Helmers, Jr. spoke to a group of lawyers and judges regarding best practices regarding administrative hearings in family law.  The topic related to instances when the state has found that there is a "substantiation" of allegegations of suspected child abuse or neglect.

Any individual has a right to appeal the finding of the state and have it reviewed.  The administrative process handles such appeals.  It is important to contest any wrongful or erroneous findings immediately as any delay may bar a reversal.

Given the current workloads of the social services in the state, it appears that there are less detailed investigations and more chance for errors by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.  Social workers have testified in Frankfort that they are stretched more thinly than ever before.