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| Facts & Info |
FACT: YOUR child can be removed from you even if you have done nothing wrong.
FACT: ANYONE can make an anonymous call and your child be removed.
FACT: If you don't know your rights you are much more likely to lose your child forever if your child is removed from you.
FACT: Children are MANY times more likely to be sexually and/or physically abused in foster care.
FACT: Federal government pays 40% of the funding these agencies get in Georgia with the state having the potential to get more through foster care placements.
FACT: Although you may believe that laws protect you from these invasions you are wrong. There may be laws in place in many places intended to protect but child welfare cases often overlook the laws as many people do not know the laws.
FACT: You can help STOP this deterioration of the system and the breakdown of society.
HOW DO I PROTECT MYSELF & MY FAMILY?
01. KNOW THE LAWS IN YOUR STATE!
02. DO not allow ANYONE into your home without a warrant.
03. If you MUST meet with CPS workers, make arrangements AWAY from your home to do so. They are NOT there to help you. They want to see inside your life and how you live, not being as clean as the CPS worker in your home is enough reason for them to take the kids.
04. Try to find out the reason for the CPS visit to your home. Was it an allegation of abuse/neglect? Other? DO NOT let them in your home! Buy a small tape recorder and keep it handy. IF CPS should call upon you , TAPE everything. Grab the recorder before going to the door if someone appears at your home that you do not know.
05. Take the children immediately to your child's doctor for a thorough exam and a written report of the doctors findings. Pyschiatric exams can be done in the same fashion if you have reason to believe the CPS visit was due to an allegation of emotional abuse.
06. DOCUMENT everything. Keep ALL reports from your child's doctor and see to it that the caseworker also has a copy of these reports on file. These WILL help you and quite possibly force them to back off and leave you and your family alone. Always be firm but don't patronize or make them angry. Try to be as friendly as possible without saying anything more than you absolutely have to say and protect the rights you have. Such as stating: I am very sorry you came all this way without a warrant or a court order. I can not allow the risk of my rights under the Constitution to be violated but if you had called ahead perhaps I could have put your concerns to rest.
07. As frightening as CPS visits are, try to remain CALM! Get them away from your home without letting them in whenever possible and contact a lawyer as soon as you possibly can! They will tell you that you don't need one but this is not true! They are banking on you cooperating and allowing them inside your home and waiving any rights you may have. They are also are banking on you not knowing your rights or having the ability to protect yourself.
What If I Am Already Involved With DFACS/CP$?
01. Tape everything! Every conversation, every meeting, EVERYTHING!
02. Have a lawyer at all times. Have lawyer attend all meetings whenever possible.
03. Always remain in a calm state no matter how difficult it is. Be polite but do not offer information that isn't asked for. Try to give answers that do not require and explanation but IF you must keep answers brief and to the point. Such as: Does your child have a bruise? A: Yes because he fell while playing. for example.
04. DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING including the case plan. You may follow the case plan but do not sign it. By signing it you are stipulating that there are problems in your home that require the government involvement. If you have already stipulated to anything, either in court or in writing by a signature then rescind it as soon as possible. Your lawyer can help you with that and also the court clerk in many cases. The object is to prove to DFACS/CPS and the courts that there are no problems in your home that require the services.
THE GOAL IN ANY CASE IS FOR YOU TO PROVE THAT YOU & YOUR HOME ARE SAFE FOR THE CHILD!!!