CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES (CPS)

The Department of Family and Protective Services, commonly known as DFPS, is an administrative agency. Child Protective Services (“CPS”) is a program within DFPS, designed to investigate and protect children from alleged abuse and/or neglect. While CPS provides many services and supports to promote safety within the family unit, investigations of alleged abuse or neglect must be taken extremely seriously, because CPS has the ability and authority to remove your children from your care - even if the allegations are later proven to be false. It might seem like complying with CPS's requests is your only option, or that working with CPS will close an investigation faster - but that can sometimes lead to providing information or evidence that is then used against you.

If CPS feels that your children are in immediate danger, they have the power to seek a court order without prior notice to you to remove your child from your care and place them in Foster Care. Once a child is removed from a parent's care, it can become more difficult to have the child returned, in addition to the trauma it causes to the child and the entire family unit as a result.

If you are contacted by CPS, it is imperative that you speak with an attorney immediately to discuss your rights, options, and a best course of action based on the allegations and facts of your specific case.