What Happens After CPS Comes to My Home?

Child Protective Services (CPS) responds to reports of abuse or neglect by concerned citizens and mandated reporters, such as teachers, health-care professionals, day-care operators and law enforcement personnel. While specifics vary from state to state, social workers visit children in their homes and sometimes at their schools to see if a report is founded. He or she then documents findings and discusses them with caregivers. According to the nonprofit Childhelp, if a report is considered "high priority," CPS investigates within 24 hours to one week.

  1. Unfounded or Inconclusive

    • If a social worker cannot validate an occurrence of abuse, the report is considered unfounded, stating that no abuse or neglect has taken place, or inconclusive, which means there simply was not enough evidence to determine whether abuse occurred. In both situations, the case is considered closed.

    Validated

    • If a report is confirmed, an in-home petition may follow. It states that CPS has custody of the children, but they may remain in the home while the family receives services such as counseling or parenting classes. A case also can be considered validated but closed: Abuse did occur, but nothing suggests it will be repeated. (This happens if the abuser is no longer part of the household, for example.) In other instances, CPS removes children from the home, and the court system gets involved immediately.

    Removal of Children

    • CPS removes children from a home if it has credible information concerning abuse or neglect. According to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, a social worker legally can remove children if they are believed to be in immediate danger. Relatives or family friends may be asked to provide a safe home on a temporary basis. If relatives or friends are not available, a foster family will care for the children.

    Goals

    • The social worker should inform all involved caregivers about what to expect, and he or she helps set goals for the family. A court date is set. The ultimate goal is family reunification, but when that cannot happen, CPS considers options including adoption, long-term foster care and independent living.

    Privacy

    • Rules vary from state to state. California's Sacramento County Child Protective Services, for example, only allows its files to be seen with a court order unless the case is moving through the juvenile court system. It also requires cross-reporting between CPS agencies and law enforcement unless a report is considered unfounded. When a report of abuse is confirmed, the name of the abuser goes into a registry maintained by individual states.

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