The Child Protective Service is the system of intervention of child abuse and neglect. Existing law provides for services to abused and neglected children and thier families. The CPS goal is to keep the child in his/her home when it is safe, and when the child is at risk, to develop an alternate plan as quickly as possible.

When a referral is received, the Child Protective Services staff obtains facts from the person making the referral to determine if the referral alleges abuse, neglect, or exploitation. The Emergency Response staff determine if an in-person response is indicated. Whenever an report indicates the need for protection, CPS will:

• Accept the case
• Intervene in the crisis, if required
• Assess or identify the problems, gather facts and clarify the problems
• Plan and provide services, set goals, identify resources and time frames
• Document the case
• Terminate the case or transfer it to another program

Approximately 12 months of services are provided to children who remain safely in the home while the family receives services. If it is determined that a child cannot remain in the home, even with family preservation and support services, then foster placement is arranged in the most family-like setting, that is located close to the parent’s home, consistent with the best interests of the child.

Up to 18 months of services are provided to children and their families when a child has been removed from the home and the family is making progress toward reunification. When a child cannot be returned to a safe home after services have been delivered, the child must be provided with a family-like living arrangement as soon as possible.

For Whom
These services are available to children and their families when children are victims of, or at risk of, abuse, neglect, exploitation, or parental absence. California law defines child abuse as any an of the following:

• A child is physically injured by other than accidental means.
• A child is subjected to willful cruelty or unjustifiable punishment.
• A child is abused or exploited sexually.
• A child is neglected by a parent or caretaker who fails to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical care or supervision.

Interested in becoming a foster parent? There are two foster family agencies located in Amador County.

• Environmental Alternatives  www.ea.org  209-223-3888
• Sierra Child and Family Services   www.sierrachildandfamilyservices.org  209-257-1244

Mandated Reporters can find the Suspected Child Abuse Form here:

http://oag.ca.gov/childabuse/forms