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Home Study/Home Assessment – This is an assessment of the home of any person requesting possession of a child for whom CPS is the managing conservator. You are still one of the most important people in your child’s life. We don’t have to be friends, but we can work together for the best interest of your child. We will explain that just because you are not with your child doesn’t mean that you do not love him or her. We will help your child deal with everyday life as easily as possible until your child goes home. No child in the managing conservatorship of CPS may be deprived of basic necessities or be subjected to cruel, harsh, unusual, or unnecessary punishment.

If you are unable to reach the social worker, most counties have a “Worker/Officer of the Day” who can assist you in locating the appropriate person. If you happen to call the previously assigned social worker and learn that the case has been transferred, the former social worker or their supervisor should be able to assist you. You should call the county placing agency and ask to speak with the “Worker/Officer of the Day”. The caregiver may file a grievance or request a State hearing regarding a license suspension or revocation. If the allegation is substantiated, the county will refer information regarding the caregiver along with case information to the Child Abuse Central Index (CACI) of the California Department of Justice for inclusion in the statewide database. After the investigation is completed, you will be notified by the county CPS, the county placing agency, and/or the licensing agency regarding the outcome of the investigation or the decision made.

Known as an attorney ad litem, this lawyer represents your child’s desires and/or best interest in court. The judge may think you do not care about your child if you do not appear at court hearings. You should always go to court when you get a legal notice or a phone call saying that there will be a hearing about your child. CPS may remove children from their homes in an emergency before going to court to ensure their immediate safety. CPS may go to court to remove children from their homes if it believes children have been abused or neglected or are at risk of future abuses or neglect and they need to be removed for their protection.

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It’s important that you let your child’s social worker know, at time of placement, that you need child care. It is best to speak to your foster child’s social worker and your foster child’s primary care doctor first to request that your foster child have a health assessment. It is best to speak to your foster child’s social worker and your foster child’s primary care doctor first to request that your foster child have a health assessment – see Health Passport .

Community-Based Care

Together, you will decide what changes you need to make for your child to return home and set up a plan for making these changes. Mediation is a less formal situation than court.If you wish to use a mediator to help resolve differences, ask your caseworker if mediation is available in your area. Only judges or juries can take away your rights as a parent without your agreement. An attorney can explain things to you that are not clear and can make sure the judge understands how you feel and what you want.

Basic foster care rates and Payments are set by the State and are intended solely for reimbursement of the direct costs you incur in caring for the child. If you need assistance to verify the accuracy of the eligibility findings, read this helpful guide Relative Caregiver’s Guide to Benefits – Steps to understanding, applying for and receiving the appropriate benefits for foster children – The Alliance for Children’ Rights. The county placing agency cannot use State and federal funds for children who are placed in homes that have not yet been licensed, approved or certified.

The court makes the final decision about a child’s custody within 12 months, unless the judge grants a one-time extension of up to six-extra months. CPS’ goal is always to find safe, permanent homes for children as soon as possible. It is very important for children to have safe, permanent homes. However, you are still legally responsible for your child’s needs and the court may order you to pay child support.

• You can and should decline placement of a child if you do not feel you can meet that child’s needs.
• Caregivers have a Right To(link) provide information to the court by filing a JV 290 Caregiver Information Form.
• When reunification simply is not possible, as determined by the courts, many foster families choose to adopt the children they have cared for.
• Caregiver is employed and must have child care for young foster children – how does caregiver find information on this?
• If the disagreement you are having with the agency is about your child’s return home or the agency’s refusal to let you visit, you may request the court to resolve it.

How do I find out which social worker is assigned to the foster child in my care? A foster home can be “on hold” as to placements as foster care placements are at the discretion of the county placing agency. You should immediately communicate to your foster child’s social worker your desire to have the sibling placed with you. I have a foster child placed in my home and would like the child’s sibling who is also in foster care placed together in my home – how can I make this happen?

Will I be told everything about the foster child’s birth family non gamstop casino background – both at the time of placement and as new information is received by the county placing agency? Legally, the county placing agency must first assess non-custodial parents, relatives, and non-related extended family members before considering the former foster parent for placement. A caregiver has no legal right to be the first choice to become a foster child’s permanent caregiver.

In some areas of Texas, CPS works with mediators to help resolve cases more quickly so children do not have to stay in foster care as long. However, a judge must approve for children to remain in foster care for more than a day or a weekend. When children have been abused or neglected or are at  risk of abuse or neglect, a judge may decide to put them in foster care to protect them.