CPS may be conducting an investigation
into a referral before
they ever contact you.
Often, the only way you will know if you are the
focus of a CPS/CFS (Child Protective Services/Children and
Family Services) investigation is by an unannounced visit or
a phone call from a social worker. You must take whatever measures
appropriate to contact a CPS attorney IMMEDIATELY. The very
first steps that you take in dealing with social services is
CRITICAL.
In California, CPS agencies have
special hotlines set up to receive reports of child abuse,
24 hours a day, seven days a week. The callers are allowed
to remain anonymous, except if they are "mandated reporters".
These callers do not need to provide evidence of abuse
-- an accusation that is deemed credible by a phone worker
is usually enough to trigger a response by CPS.
Once a referral begins, it is classified in one of several ways:
- No response
(not enough information, or fails to rise to the level of CPS'
interest)
- Immediate (emergency, children in danger)
- 3 day response
- 5 day response
- 10 day
response
A CPS social worker generally has up to
30 days to complete an investigative referral, before either
escalating it to a case status, or closing it out as unfounded.
If you are contacted by a social worker either asking to come
into your home or to meet, it is your RIGHT to have an attorney
present to help answer questions and to advise you on your rights.
The Law Offices of Johnson & Johnson have over
17 years of experience with CPS cases, and helping parents fight for their rights.
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