What Was Your Experience with CPS?

My only personal experience was when I had to report an abused student. TERRIBLE situation. Anyway, they picked him up from our school that day. Interviewed him and his mom, the abuser. Long story short, his mom had to promise to take parenting classes and he was sent right back home. So disappointing. I moved up a grade the following year and requested to have the same kid in my class so that I could keep an eye on him. His mom conveniently moved him to another district. I still think about him and wonder what happened to him.

I think it is ridiculous how differently cases are handled depending on the kids, the family, etc. etc. If you could have seen the scars on this kid's back, you would have NEVER dreamed he would have gone back to his mom. And then you hear the story of a mom spanking her child in public and they remove all the kids, go to court, blah blah blah. The system is broken. It lacks having enough people to cover the case loads, the ones who are there are totally overworked and it is so inconsistent with how different situations are handled.

Hi ephie-

I had one very good experience with CPS when trying to set up adequate nursing care for my medically fragile daughter. My insurance (tricare) was unwilling to commit to a set # of nursing hours IF I brought her home on a vent...trach...feeding tube...and myriad meds. The irony was that IF we had NO insurance, she would have been medicaid eligible...and would have qualified for LOTS of nursing hours. I was PISSED that my (now ex) husband's years of service in the military...and that healthcare coverage...was LESS than what indigent families would get...Ultimately, I got CPS involved as I felt bringing her home without adequate nursing placed HER at risk...they were helpful...but ultimately, I took my concerns to capitol hill...and brought the DOD...armed services committee...and others in to play to get her home...safely. CPS and their testimony on my daughter's behalf was great.

Second situation...not so great. I had a NASTY divorce...CPS was involved...and although my now ex was the 'perpetrator'...I lived several LONG months under 'their' microscope (and a guardian at litem's scope as well) and I feel glad that I came out 'reasonably' sane...and my children did as well...it was VERY divisive...intrusive...and really not all that helpful...I will give more details if you wish...just private me...

Third time, I was able to testify on behalf of a family going thru a very tough time...and that family was able to get services...and is doing well again...

Best Luck!
michele/cat

In my work, I am a mandated reporter as well as work with many cases that have CPS involved. The main goal in most of the case is family reunification if at all possible. The social workers have high case loads, little time to devote to all the families, and are definitely overworked. However, they do have the best intentions and strict regulations regarding every situation and what they can and cannot do, which is why you see different circumstances in what may look like the same situation. They are required to do investigations but there is certain criteria that must be met. All the social workers I have ever been in contact, which is quite a few are really trying to do the best they can with the time they have for each family.

Completely useless. My ex was hotlined by about 10 different people, all in the medical profession. They would call, ask how things are going and let it go. I asked on of my son's doctors do they ever do anything, he said sadly until he seriously injures one of them they will do nothing to remove them.

I used to work at a domestic violence safe house overseas serving the military bases. It was very hard because there was no kind of foster care in place, so all we could do was take the kids in for a "cooling off" period and than we had to give them back. There was one child, after taking her in several times, we were finally able to get a Grandparent in the states to take. I know the system here is broken, and a lot of kids fall throw the cracks, but I have seen what happens when no system is in place, so I am thankful for what we do have. I just wish the states had more funds for more and better case workers.

My sister has delt with them on a few angles. She has been investigated twice for one son ... her son told the teacher he had nothing to eat at home - well there is always a house full of food just not full of junk and crud most 10yr olds want to eat. So, they moved on telling her that this is not the first time they have been thru this. The second, he was out of school for two weeks with asthma enduced walking pneumonia (ie not hospitalized). This happens about once a year sometimes skips a year but we pretty much count on it happening yearly, school has always been helpful with this but he changed schools and they were less helpful. So, after their investigation, talking to the doc and old school they dropped the investigation. Then my sister was considering helping a friend and taking their baby while they cleaned up their act and became approved as foster parents. I think all of her experiences were good, they wanted to work with her not against her ... I have not had any first hand experiences at this time.