The Department of Children and Families has announced that it created a new unit to investigate allegations of child abuse and neglect against education professionals.

DCF said the Education Professional Investigation Unit will shorten the time investigations require and “create greater consistency in response to allegations.”

Two units, each comprising five investigators and a social work supervisor, will respond to reports received on Careline, the phone line with which residents can report alleged child abuse, concerning education professionals in their professional capacity with students. The Careline number is 1 (800) 842-2288.

DCF also has established a detailed procedure about how allegations will be handled. The protocol for investigations will be streamlined to complete them in 33 business days, compared to the current 45 days. DCF said the 10 investigators, who will work out of DCF offices across the state, will receive specialized training in school-based investigations.

A program supervisor will manage the units. Southeastern Connecticut schools are located in District 3, which is headed by Supervisor James Wright.

“This change offers greater timeliness and consistency, but also the opportunity to make communication between (DCF) and the school administration, educators, and their representatives more direct, convenient, and transparent,” DCF stated.