Guide Excerpt

The Truth About Child Protective Services

The child welfare system is not perfect and flawed in many ways. Like other large government organizations, it is plagued with issues of mismanagement, bureaucracy, poorly trained staff, limited resources, outdated policies and procedures, and disconnect from the constantly shifting needs of the community.

It’s also handicapped by the scale of services it provides and the size of the population it serves. As a result, families experience a delay or lapse in services and difficulty getting the help they need. CPS is just one branch of the system. The system also manages such services as family & juvenile court, adoption, foster care, family preservation, residential treatment, domestic violence services, employment assistance, financial aid, and housing assistance.

Knowing what this requires, I say with confidence the system does what it was intended to do. That being said, I must keep it real and acknowledge that CPS has also done a disservice to many families as well.

CPS is responsible for breaking some families apart. There are times when the agency has not acted in the best interest of the child. There are practices and regulations that are in opposition to the goal of family preservation. I fully acknowledge that for many families, the process of going through the child welfare system has been a living Hell.

I believe it is both scary and embarrassing to have a CPS worker show up at your door. I have always felt like it’s an intrusive process, especially for those parents who have done nothing wrong. Investigations are thorough because they need to be. But having a stranger ask personal, private, and sometimes intimate questions about your life can feel demoralizing.

It would be naive of me to assume my experience as a CPS worker is the same for CPS workers in other counties, states, and countries. We each have our own personalities, work ethics, morals, beliefs, and issues. And I say issues because I’m fully aware there are workers who have no business doing this job.

As with any job, there are employees who use their position to work out their own issues of ineptness, unhappiness, and need to control. It is not unusual for families to get caught up in the government’s overreach and a worker’s personal agenda. I have to believe there’s a way to keep children safe while still respecting the sanctity of parenthood and family.

Know Your Rights

Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or relative it’s crucial you understand the basics of parental rights and state rights. Sadly, we are living in a time when we are losing more and more of our civil liberties and individual rights.

I believe child abuse protection laws are very necessary yet I’m also an advocate for a parent’s right to make decisions without state intervention. I want to empower you with information to help you protect your rights and protect your family.

Parental Rights

CPS does not have the legal authority to enter your home and conduct an investigation without your consent.

CPS is authorized to interview parents, children, and family members in a household if they have a warrant, probable cause (credible evidence or witness), or imminent danger.

If you agree with your child being interviewed in your home, you have a right to be present during the interview.

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