1.7: Child Protective Services
- Page ID
- 215409
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"4-color map of the contiguous United States" by Eric Fischer is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Child Protective Services
Child protective services exist in every state in the United States. It is known by a variety of titles but serves the purpose of being responsible for helping ensure the safety of children throughout that state.
Summary of Child Protective Services in California
The following is summarized from the California Department of Social Services website (cdss.ca.gov):
Child Protective Services (CPS) is the primary agency addressing child abuse and neglect in California. According to existing laws, CPS provides services to abused and neglected children and their families, aiming to keep children in their homes when safe. If a child is at risk, an alternative plan is developed swiftly.
Reporting Suspected Abuse:
- Contact the county Children's Protective Services 24-hour emergency response phone line, police, or county sheriff if you suspect a child is being abused or neglected.
- If you suspect that a child has been, or is in danger of, abuse or neglect , contact the county Children's Protective Services 24-hour emergency response phone. You may also contact the police or county sheriff.
Referral and Response Process:
- Social service staff gather information from the person making the referral to determine if abuse, neglect, or exploitation is alleged.
- Emergency Response staff decides if an in-person response is needed.
- If protection is required, CPS will:
- Accept the case.
- Intervene in the crisis, if necessary.
- Provide Family Preservation and Support Services for some families.
- Assess problems, gather facts, and clarify issues.
- Plan and provide services, set goals, identify resources, and set timeframes.
- Document the case.
- Terminate the case or transfer it to another program.
Service Duration:
- Children who can remain safely at home while the family receives services get approximately 12 months of support.
- If a child cannot stay at home, even with support services, foster placement in a family-like setting close to the parent’s home is arranged.
- Up to 18 months of services are provided to children and families when a child has been removed and the family is working towards reunification. If the child cannot return to a safe home, a family-like living arrangement is provided as soon as possible.
Child Abuse Definition in California:
- Physical injury by other than accidental means.
- Willful cruelty or unjustifiable punishment.
- Sexual abuse or exploitation.
- Neglect by a parent or caretaker, including failure to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical care, or supervision.
"Child Protection Personnel of UNMISS Police Visit School at POC Site" by United Nations Photo is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Children and their families receive up to 18 months of services when a child has been removed from the home and the family is working towards reunification. If, after these services, the child cannot safely return home, a family-like living arrangement must be arranged promptly.
These services support children and their families who are victims of, or at risk of, abuse, neglect, exploitation, or parental absence. California law defines child abuse as follows:
- A child is physically injured by non-accidental means.
- A child is subjected to willful cruelty or unjustifiable punishment.
- A child is sexually abused or exploited.
- A child is neglected by a parent or caretaker who fails to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical care, or supervision.