Help for parents 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 must go to court.
- 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.
Children may live at home during Children Services cases as long as it is safe. If Children Services believes your child is unsafe at home, the court may place your child in foster or kinship care. Learn more about Ohio foster and kinship care:
- Foster Youth Bill of Rights. Your child has rights in foster care. Learn about the 15 basic rights all youth in Ohio foster care have.
- Legal information for kinship caregivers. Learn about kinship care in Ohio.