Child Protective Services (‘CPS’) is an agency within the Department of Social Services (‘DSS’) that intervenes in families when there is a report of abuse, neglect, or dependency raised by someone in the community. Individuals or entities (like schools and hospitals) that file reports with CPS/DSS are protected and kept anonymous even if an investigation ensues. If a report is escalated beyond the intake unit, it is likely you will experience routine CPS involvement from unannounced front door visits to interviews with you, your children, and family members. The following are common examples of how CPS involvement may pan out:
- Closing the case: CPS typically has 30-40 days to investigate the allegations made in a report, meaning the first month after a report is filed is likely going mean heavy involvement with the agency from the aforementioned unannounced visits to family interviews. However, it is entirely possible that the investigation may lead the agency to conclude that the report was baseless or a one-time occurrence that does not need further involvement. Regardless of whether they close the case out or not, you will receive a letter from the agency at the end of the 30-40 day period with their decision.
- In-home Services: If the case is not closed out, one possible next step for CPS to begin the in-home services process which is a process in which the agency creates a plan with the family on how to proceed safely into the future despite whatever caused the filing of the report. This may mean asking the family to participate in counseling or drug rehabilitation services, providing assistance with housing and job searches, or suggesting the family to participate in parenting courses. If these services are successfully implemented and utilized by the family, CPS generally closes out the case as long as no further concerns arise.
- Petition filed with the Court: If CPS believes the family is not utilizing the resources available to them and provided during in-home services or the report and investigation lead to the discovery of overly concerning abuse or neglect, CPS will file a petition with the Court asking the Court to intervene. If the Court intervenes, this could mean something as simple as the Court orders the family to comply with CPS recommendations or it could mean that the Court orders the children be removed from the home until the family complies. In the most severe cases, a Court can order that a child be permanently removed from their parents and custody or guardianship be given permanently to a third party.
If you have been contacted by a CPS or DSS social worker regarding a report received about one of your children, give Ley Law a call today. We are happy to discuss the allegations leading to CPS involvement in your family and possible next steps.
LeAnne Goss Author
LeAnne M. Goss is an Associate Attorney at Ley Law, dedicated to Family Law, Juvenile Law, Abuse, Neglect, and Dependency Court (DSS court), as well as Appellate Law. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2019 with a Bachelor’s in Liberal Studies focused on Humanities and earned her Juris Doctor from Campbell Law School in 2023.
