Child Protective Services...What Do They Do?

[Cinderella_Babe]

I am curious as to what child protective services actually does. I understand that they investigate reports of child abuse and such but I'm wondering exactly what it is that they look for. I have overheard co-workers talk about making reports to them and having them make visits to their homes. Can just anyone make a report? What if they are just looking to cause trouble and harrassment for someone? I'm assuming when CPS comes to your home they are looking at your living conditions. What is acceptable to them and what is not? Just curious...

 

[Chasey_Lane]

I am curious as to what child protective services actually does. I understand that they investigate reports of child abuse and such but I'm wondering exactly what it is that they look for. I have overheard co-workers talk about making reports to them and having them make visits to their homes. Can just anyone make a report? What if they are just looking to cause trouble and harrassment for someone? I'm assuming when CPS comes to your home they are looking at your living conditions. What is acceptable to them and what is not? Just curious...

It is the job of CPS to investigate any claims, whether it be valid or not. They look at living conditions and will ask family members questions.

 

[harleygirl]

I am curious as to what child protective services actually does. I understand that they investigate reports of child abuse and such but I'm wondering exactly what it is that they look for. I have overheard co-workers talk about making reports to them and having them make visits to their homes. Can just anyone make a report? What if they are just looking to cause trouble and harrassment for someone? I'm assuming when CPS comes to your home they are looking at your living conditions. What is acceptable to them and what is not? Just curious...

When they receive a call, a case worker takes the info and screens to make sure the case sounds legit. They realize that sometimes someone will file a false report out of spite. If the case meets certain critera, they investigate. Examples would be cases of physical, mental, sexual and emotional abuse, or any type of neglect.

 

[Cinderella_Babe]

What type of questions do they ask? Are you saying that if I don't like you for whatever reason that I can call CPS and tell them that your home has roaches and that your home is so cluttered that you cannot walk in the door without falling on your face?

 

[TWLs wife]

What type of questions do they ask? Are you saying that if I don't like you for whatever reason that I can call CPS and tell them that your home has roaches and that your home is so cluttered that you cannot walk in the door without falling on your face?

They don't ask many questions to you. They look at the way you live, If your are healthy or not. Also if your children are saying things to teachers & other people trying to get help. Then they will ask you Questions.

 

[TWLs wife]

What type of questions do they ask? Are you saying that if I don't like you for whatever reason that I can call CPS and tell them that your home has roaches and that your home is so cluttered that you cannot walk in the door without falling on your face?

Then it goes by things you report. Just tell them your worries.

 

[harleygirl]

What type of questions do they ask? Are you saying that if I don't like you for whatever reason that I can call CPS and tell them that your home has roaches and that your home is so cluttered that you cannot walk in the door without falling on your face?

From info I have......

"CPS are not designed to address all issues related to family dysfunction. The focus is protecting children from abuse and neglect."

"to report suspected child abuse or neglect does not require proof, only a reason to believe. Waiting for proof may involve grave risk to the child and impede services to the family. Parents may be informed that a report has been made, at the reporter's discretion."

"the report should include name, address, location of child, age or ages of other children in the home, the nature and extent of the injuries or sexual abuse or neglect of the child."

 

[Cinderella_Babe]

Neglect?

So, they are looking to see basically that your children have good hygeine, dressed properly, have food to eat and appear to be healthy?

What about familys in unfortuate circumstances? Poor familes that may have limited food, houses that are in poor condition, houses that could use a really good cleaning? Obviously, they could not take children out of your home just becasue they are not clean or well kept.

 

[harleygirl]

So, they are looking to see basically that your children have good hygeine, dressed properly, have food to eat and appear to be healthy?

What about familys in unfortuate circumstances? Poor familes that may have limited food, houses that are in poor condition, houses that could use a really good cleaning? Obviously, they could not take children out of your home just becasue they are not clean or well kept.

Being poor is not a reason for CPS to get involved. Social services offer many programs for those destitute, especially if kids are involved. If the kids are starving to death, or sick from a disease from an unclean environment, that is an investigation for neglect.