Help for parents and families in Children Services cases
If Children Services investigates your family, you may have questions about your legal rights, responsibilities and resources. Learn more about working with Ohio Children Services to complete your case, keep your child and strengthen your family.
Children Services is an agency that makes sure children are safe. If someone reports that your child is unsafe, Children Services workers check if the report is true. Read below to learn more about participating in a Children Services case and protecting your rights.
Resources for parents in Children Services cases
Learn about the steps in a Children Services case:
- Child welfare investigation and court process. Learn more about child welfare investigations in Ohio and the process if your case goes to court. You can talk to a lawyer at any time, and if your case goes to court, you may be able to qualify for one at no cost.
- What to expect during a Children Services assessment. If someone reports that your child is unsafe, Children Services workers do an assessment to check if the report is true. Learn more about the steps in a Children Services assessment.
- How Children Services programs and services can help families. After the assessment, Children Services may offer services and programs to improve your child’s safety and strengthen your family. Learn more about the programs and services that can help your family.
- Getting ready for a hearing. You should attend all scheduled court hearings. Learn how to get ready for a hearing.
- Courtroom do’s and don’ts. Read tips about how to behave in court to help you complete your case smoothly.
- Speaking up in court. Learn how to talk to the judge and other court workers to help your case go smoothly.
You have legal rights during the whole case. Learn about your rights as a parent in a Children Services case:
- Rights and responsibilities of parents in a Children Services case. Learn about your rights like requesting a lawyer or interpreter and participating in your case.
- Finding a lawyer. Learn how to find a lawyer to protect your rights.
Resources for kinship caregivers in Children Services cases
Children may live at home during Children Services cases as long as it is safe. If Children Services believes a child is unsafe at home, the court may place the child in kinship care. Learn more about Ohio kinship care:
- Legal information for kinship caregivers. Learn about kinship care in Ohio.
- Abuse, neglect and dependency cases. Learn about participating in an abuse, neglect or dependency case for a child close to you.
Resources for foster youth in Children Services cases
If Children Services believes a child is unsafe at home, the court may place the child in foster or kinship care. Learn more about Ohio foster and kinship care:
- Legal information for foster youth. Learn about your rights in foster care and special programs to help foster youth protect their rights and take care of their needs.
- Foster Youth Bill of Rights. You have rights in foster care. Learn about the 15 basic rights all youth in Ohio foster care have.
- Foster child rights in court. Learn about the court hearing process when you are a child in the foster care system, and how you can participate to make your voice heard. You have the right to get a court-appointed lawyer to protect your rights and help you get what you want.