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Lesson Three - Children's Protective Services
What is CPS? What is it's purpose?
The purpose of Children's Protective Services (CPS) is to assure that children are protected from further physical or emotional harm caused by a parent or other adult responsible for the child's health and welfare. CPS helps families to function responsibly and independently in providing care for the children.
What are the basic objectives of an investigation?
By law, the Agency has the responsibility to receive and to respond to any complaint of child abuse, child neglect, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, maltreatment or improper custody. In each case being investigated, CPS must complete a safety assessment to identify present or immediate danger of harm to a child. Exceptions occur when CPS is unable to locate the family or no evidence of child abuse/neglect is found. If the evaluation indicates that there is a preponderance of evidence of abuse or neglect, the Agency must assess risks and needs. In active CPS cases, services must be provided to the family until the conditions affecting the child no longer place the child at risk or until other services are in place to alleviate the risk.
The CPS program is based on the conviction that protection of children is primarily the responsibility of the parents. Because children have a right to be with their own parents, the ultimate objective of CPS is to protect children by stabilizing and strengthening families whenever possible through services, either direct or purchased, to the parents or other responsible adults to help them to effectively carry out their parental responsibilities. If positive change does not result from the appropriate services, then placement of children out of their homes may occur only if their well-being cannot be safeguarded in their families. Kin should be the first choice of placement whenever the child can be safely placed with them.
Source:
Michigan Family Independence Agency Children’s Protection Services Manual,
Sections 711-1