What should you do incase CPS visits? (1) - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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What should you do incase CPS visits? (1)

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The first step — do NOT panic. Child Protective Services can show up on anyone’s doorstep, whether you have done something or not. The theory behind Child Protective Services is virtuous, but at times they can operate in a manner that is not consistent with their own protocols or your Constitutional rights. – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Title: What should you do incase CPS visits? (1)


1
What should you do incase CPS visits?
2
The following shall not be considered advice from
an attorney. Every case is different. You should
request the assistance of a licensed attorney for
advice specific to your circumstances.
3
  • Child Protective Services, commonly referred to
    as CPS, has shown up at your house. What should
    you do next?
  • Do not panic.
  • The first step do NOT panic. Child
    Protective Services can show up on anyones
    doorstep, whether you have done something or not.
    The theory behind Child Protective Services is
    virtuous, but at times they can operate in a
    manner that is not consistent with their own
    protocols or your Constitutional rights.

4
  • In your initial meeting with CPS, you will
    likely be contacted by an Investigations CPS
    worker. In some cases, an Alternative Response
    worker may make contact with you, but their role
    is very similar to an Investigations worker.
    Their job is to make initial contact with you,
    see the kids, assess the situation, talk to
    collateral sources, and in some cases remove
    kids from a home that has immediate safety
    issues.
  • Request information.
  • You should request their card with their
    contact information and request the information
    of their immediate supervisor. Caseworkers rarely
    have the authority to make decisions without
    first checking their decisions with a supervisor.

5
  • The caseworker will not tell you who reported
    abuse however, you should request what
    allegations have been made. Some caseworkers may
    not give you details but should state what
    category of abuse has been alleged such as sexual
    abuse, physical abuse, neglectful supervision,
    etc.
  • CPS eyes on your child.
  • Oftentimes, it is best to allow the CPS
    worker to physically see the child. This assures
    that they are physically safe. There are criminal
    penalties for thwarting or attempting to thwart a
    CPS investigation. However, you do not have to
    assist them in their investigation.

6
  • It is important to be clear and concise on
    what you will allow and will not allow in this
    initial contact.
  • Child Interview
  • Whether you allow the CPS worker to interview
    your child depends on their age, circumstances,
    and other factors. CPS may have already
    interviewed your child at school without your
    knowledge. Once you know an interview has taken
    place, make sure you understand where and when
    the interview occurred and with whom.

7
  • In some cases, it may be best to allow the
    interview to happen between your child and CPS.
    An attorney can help you evaluate what steps you
    should take.
  • Interview Content
  • A CPS worker should not ask your child
    leading questions. They should open the door
    for the child to tell their own story without
    supplying the child with facts. CPS has a high
    turnover rate and not all CPS workers are as
    skilled in this area as they should be.

8
  • If there are allegations of physical abuse or
    bruising, the worker may ask to photograph your
    child.
  • You may request the worker interview your
    child with you present, or that you will retain
    an attorney and inform them of your interview
    decision at that time. In theory, the
    Investigations stage should move quickly. If you
    state that you plan to retain an attorney and
    will make decisions at that time, you should
    retain an attorney as fast as possible. It may be
    a wise decision to allow the worker to see your
    child without an interview so they are ensured
    that the child is safe.

9
  • An attorney can help you evaluate the needs
    and parameters of an interview with your child.
  • What Happens if I Refuse an Interview?
  • What happens next depends on your case
    specifically. The difficult part of a CPS case is
    predicting what CPS will do. CPS can have similar
    cases but treat them differently depending on
    differing workers, supervisors, and areas.
  • You should seek an attorney that has
    experience with CPS, and more importantly, has a
    working relationship with CPS.

10
  • You are not required to do anything for CPS
    unless CPS obtains a court order. If you decline
    an interview, CPS may seek a court order that
    would force you to allow CPS access to your
    child. In more extreme cases, CPS may request an
    order to remove the child from your home.
  • Depending on the circumstances of your case,
    CPS may agree to not interview your child until
    you have obtained advice from an attorney.

11
  • Should I submit to a drug test?
  • No, unless there is a Court Order that
    requires you to submit to a drug test.
  • There are some limited circumstances when a
    client may wish to take a drug test voluntarily.
    For example, the client is sure an accusation is
    false, or a client is asked for a drug test for
    custody and is sure they are negative.
  • If you are unsure about whether you should
    take a drug test, be sure to ask if there is a
    Court Order. This is a yes or no answer from the
    CPS worker and one you might want to get in text
    or writing. If there is no court order regarding
    drug testing, there may be one in the near
    future. You should talk to an attorney about your
    options and the specific issues in your case.

12
  • Oftentimes, CPS will assure parents that they
    are a civil entity and do not pursue criminal
    charges. However, the information you give CPS is
    not completely protected from future litigation
    and is commonly used in Family Law cases. Your
    case may come back to haunt you years later.
  • CPS has asked me to attend a Family Team
    Meeting or FTM
  • To Read Our Full Blog Click Here https//walker.l
    awyer/walker-law-cps-visit/
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