Welcome to Children's Services.

To Report Child Abuse or Neglect call: (209) 468-1333

The Department of Social Services may, to the extent the Department deems necessary to respond to the COVID-19 crisis, allow any state monthly face-to-face caseworker visitation requirement, standard, or criteria set forth in the Welfare and Institutions Code sections 16501.1, subdivision (l), 16516.5, and 16516.6, as well as accompanying regulations or other written directives, policies or procedures, to be accomplished through videoconferencing, instead of in-person contact. This flexibility shall only be utilized by caseworkers in keeping with guidance from the Department and after a child-specific decision based on the training and experience of the social worker, considering all available information, that an in-person visit is not necessary to ensure the child’s safety and well-being. Any flexibility granted pursuant to this paragraph shall not waive or conflict with applicable federal requirements in United States Code, Title 42, sections 622, subdivision (b)(17) and 624, subdivision (f), as modified for emergency waivers in guidance issued March 18, 2020, in the Child Welfare Policy Manual Title IV-B, section 7.3, question 8and shall expire at the end of the emergency declaration, in 90 days, or sooner as determined by the Department.

What is Child Abuse?

Physical abuse
- Any non-accidental act that results in physical injury (bruises, bite marks, burns, abrasions, lacerations, fractures, internal injuries)
- Can be discipline that went too far and left bruises or otherwise injured a child
- Shaken Baby Syndrome
Neglect
Emotional Abuse
- Belittling, screaming, threatening a child to the point that they withdraw, act out, have problems with basic functioning (eating, sleeping, concentrating at school, etc.)
- Exposing a child to violence (verbal or physical) in the home that leads to problems with basic functioning
Sexual Abuse
- An adult engaging in any sexual act with a minor
Failing to meet basic needs in terms of food, clothing, shelter, medical care or supervision
Failing to protect a child from someone abusing them in some way

How do I report Child Abuse and/or Neglect?

If you believe that a child is being abused or neglected by their mother, father, caretaker or a member of their household call CPS at (209) 468-1333
If you believe that a child is being abused or neglected by someone other than their parent, caretaker or household member call law enforcement
You will be asked questions about why you suspect the abuse or neglect – answer them truthfully and if you don’t know say that
Unless you are a mandated reporter you do not have to provide your name. It is helpful to leave at least your first name and phone number in case clarification or additional information is needed
You will need to provide a name or address for the family, or the current location of the child you feel has been abused or neglected so that they can be located

What happens after I make a Child Abuse/Neglect Report?

Trained CPS social workers will assess the information and determine whether or not CPS will respond
If CPS does not respond in all likelihood the matter will be referred to a community agency to contact the family and offer them services
If CPS does respond the response will be
- Within 24 hours if the child is thought to be in immediate danger
- Within 10-days if there is not immediate danger to the child

What determines if a child is removed from their home or the family receives services while the child remains in the home?

There is no simple answer to this as lots of things go into making a decision about the danger the child is in as well as the risk that the child may be abused or neglected again. CPS social workers rely on their education, training as well as specific tools available to them to decide what level of services will keep the child safe. Some common things that can help reduce the risk of the child being abused or neglected again are the willingness of the person that caused the abuse to admit to it and seek help as well as the family having support in terms of friends or family that will also help make sure the child is safe.

If my child is removed from my home by Child Protective Services, what happens next?

Within 2 working days of the child being removed there will be a Team Decision Making meeting. This is an important meeting because it is a time for family and friends to meet along with the social worker and others that might be able to provide services to the family. At this meeting decisions about the child’s placement will be talked about and decided upon. If the decision is that the child cannot safely return to the home of the parent then there will be a Court hearing in Department 12 of the San Joaquin County courthouse on Weber Ave in Stockton.. This hearing will be at 8:30am three working days after the child was removed. The parents will be told of the exact date before the hearing and arrangements will be made to get any parent in the San Joaquin County jail transported to the hearing.

How do I become a Resource Family (Foster Parent or Adoptive Parent)?

FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION
The Resource Family Approval Program evaluates and approves prospective foster and adoptive parents.

Please call (209) 465-KIDS (5437) if you are interested in becoming a foster or adoptive parent.

Children’s Bureau Programs

INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM
The Independent Living Program is integrated with the Foster Care Program and is designed to prepare foster youth for life beyond foster care, which includes career, employment, educational and living arrangement goals.

GUARDIANSHIP PROGRAM
The Guardianship program provides supervision and assessments for children placed in non-relative and probate guardianship's.

TREATMENT PROGRAM
The Treatment Program provides out-of-home placements for children in need of group homes or specialized services for mental, emotional, behavioral or physical issues.

The Adoption program provides services for children needing permanent homes, adoptive home studies, and counsels parents relinquishing their child for adoption.

Attachment – Adoption Brochure
Attachment – Adoption Support Group Flyer
Frequently Asked Questions about Adoptions in California

Please call (209) 465-KIDS (5437) if you are interested in adopting.

ADOPTION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The Adoption Assistance Program (AAP) Program provides post-adoption resources to Adoptive Families and handles post adoption inquiries.

Adoptees, Birth Parents, Siblings of Adoptees – Are you looking for one another? We can help!

RELATIVE/NON-RELATIVE EXTENDED FAMILY MEMBER ASSESSMENT
The Relative/Non-Relative Extended Family Member (NREFM) program completes assessments of potential placements for children in Relative/NREFM placements and conducts family finding efforts.

Attachment – Relative/NREFM Assessment Process
Link to PUB 456 Important Information for Relatives
Link to PUB 344 Giving A Child A Permanent Home
Link – SOC 817 Checklist of Health and Safety Standards for Approval of Family Caregiver Home

Intake and Assessment

Takes reports of suspected child abuse and neglect
Responds to and investigates reports of suspected child abuse and neglect
- Within 24 hours for calls where children appear to be in immediate danger
- Within 10- days for all other calls requiring an in-person investigation
Refers families to community agencies when the information provided does not rise to the level of an in-person CPS investigation
Hold hearings when a person’s name is submitted to the Department of Justice due to a substantiated finding of abuse and they request a review. Download PDF.
Voluntary Family Maintenance
- Provides services to families where abuse or neglect has occurred and the risk of future abuse or neglect is high.
- Goal is to safely maintain children in their home
- Participation in the program is voluntary, but if the family agrees to participate they must comply with services listed in a case plan.
- identify supports and services that are needed to achieve permanency, enable a child to live in the least restrictive family setting, and promote normal childhood experiences.
Child Advocacy Center
Transportation
- adults working with CPS as necessary to medical appointments, visits, court ordered programs, etc.
  Satellite Shelter
- Shelter and thus need alternate temporary placement. Staff in this unit serve Satellite Shelter Foster homes which provide a short-term family-style alternate living arrangement until a longer term plan is developed for the child
  Placement Facilitators

Mandated Reporter Training

mandatedreporterca.com. additionally the Suspected Child Abuse Report that is mandatory for all mandated reporters to complete and send in after their call to CPS can be downloaded at ag.ca.gov.

Court Intake & Assessment (CI&A)

Family Social Work

Dependency Drug Court

Assistance

Helpful Numbers

Child Abuse Hotline

(209) 468-1333

Elder Abuse

(209) 468-3780 or
(888) 800-4800

Fraud Hotline

(209) 953-7733