What to expect during a Children Services assessment

Children Services is the county agency responsible for keeping children safe. Some counties call the children services agency “Job and Family Services” (JFS) or “Child Protection Services” (CPS). The people who work for the agency are called caseworkers.

A report is information given to Children Services from someone worried about a child’s safety. 

An assessment is the action and research Children Services does to collect evidence, determine if the report is true and check if the child is safe.

Children Services believes the best place for a child is with their family as long as the child is safe. If the child is unsafe, Children Services works with the family to improve the child’s safety.

If you are being investigated by Children Services, you have rights to ask questions, get clear information in language you understand and request help from a lawyer. Learn more about your rights during and after an assessment.

What caseworkers do during an assessment

During an assessment, caseworkers look for evidence showing the child is harmed, or is at risk of harm, such as:

• Experiencing injuries, broken bones, or bruising
• Being punched, hit, beaten, or burned
• Having inappropriate sexual contact
• Seeing or hearing household violence
• Living in unsafe housing
• Lacking medical care, schooling, food, or adult supervision
• Residing in a home with alcohol or drug use
• Suffering other serious physical, sexual, or emotional danger

While gathering evidence, the caseworker may:

• Talk to you. The caseworker tells you what was reported. However, the case worker cannot tell you who made the report. You may want to write down what you hear so you can read it again later. Caseworkers cannot enter your home without permission unless there is an emergency involving your child or the court grants special entry permission.
• Talk to others. The caseworker may ask to talk to all children and adults who live in your home, and to other people who know the child (like relatives and teachers). If Children Services must speak to people who know you or your child, the caseworker does their best to keep your personal information private to protect your privacy and reputation. 
• Visit the child. The caseworker may visit your child at school.
• Get records. The caseworker may get school or medical records. The caseworker may ask for the child to have a medical examination. The caseworker may take pictures of your child or home.
• Write a safety plan. The caseworker may work with you to create a safety plan that explains what needs to happen right now to keep your child safe. You and the caseworker sign the safety plan to show that you agree. The plan may include having someone you choose, and who is approved by Children Services, stay in your home to help monitor and ensure your child’s safety. It may also include having your child temporarily stay with someone you choose, who is approved by Children Services, while you work to address the identified safety concerns.

Usually children may live at home during an assessment. However, Children Services may ask the court to remove children from a home if the home is unsafe. 

If your child is removed from your home, your child may be placed in:

• A family or friend’s home. Children Services believes it is best for children to stay with family, if possible. Tell your caseworker about any family or close friends who could care for your child. Children Services conducts background checks and home studies to make sure your family or friend’s home is suitable and safe.
• Foster care. If a safe home with family or friends is unavailable, your child may be placed with foster parents.

You are allowed to visit your child unless the court decides it is unsafe. During visits, you must follow the court’s rules, even if the child is placed with family.

Within 60 days, the caseworker writes a summary of their evidence. They send you a letter with the assessment result. There are three possible results:

• Unsubstantiated. If the report is unsubstantiated, the assessment shows the child is safe. The assessment stops. Children Services may offer help. Parents can decide if they want to accept help or not.
• Indicated. If the report is indicated, the assessment shows the child may be unsafe. Children Services may work with parents to improve the child’s safety.
• Substantiated. If the report is substantiated, the assessment shows the child is unsafe. Children Services works with parents to strengthen the family and keep the child safe.

If Children Services decides your family needs ongoing services, they will work with you to create a case plan that includes:

• Next steps. The case plan says why the child is unsafe now and how to make the child safe. It lists your required actions.
• Services. The case plan explains the services for you and your child. Services may include counseling, parenting classes, drug or alcohol abuse treatment, housing or food assistance, transportation, job training, help for domestic violence, childcare or medical care. Learn more about how Children Services helps families.
• The role of Children Services. The case plan explains how Children Services helps you follow the case plan.

You have the right to help write the case plan. You know your child best. Tell your caseworker what services you think are helpful. You have the right to know why the services are chosen and how they help you and your family.

The goal of Children Services is to keep your child at home while you follow the Case Plan.

Your rights during and after an assessment

If you are being investigated by Children Services, you have rights to ask questions, get clear answers and information in language you understand, and receive help from a lawyer. Learn more about your rights during and after an assessment and how to get a lawyer.

Going to court 

Most parents being investigated by Children Services do not need to go to court. Usually parents work directly with the caseworker to keep the child safe at home or with a relative without going to court. If Children Services does take a case to court, it goes to Juvenile Court. Juvenile Court is a court that focuses on children and families. When Children Services files a case, a judge or magistrate in Juvenile Court decides what needs to happen to keep the child safe.

A court hearing may be required if:

• Your child is in danger and needs to be moved to a safer place.
• You need court-ordered supervision or services to keep your child safe at home. 

If you need to go to court, Children Services tells you where and when to go. You should attend all scheduled court hearings.

If you go to court, you have the right to:

• See all papers given to the court
• Tell your side of the story to the judge
• Know why your child was removed
• Get answers to your questions
• Understand what you must do to make your home safe for your child
• Have a lawyer at any time
• Use an interpreter if you need one

Learn more about the court process for Children Services cases.

Reuniting with your child

To get your child back after they have been removed, you should:

• Follow your case plan. Work with your caseworker to complete required steps to make your home safe.
• Receive approval from the court. The court must decide your home is safe.
• Talk to your caseworker or lawyer. If you have any questions, you have the right to get answers from your caseworker or lawyer.