HIGHLIGHTS
Community
members have an important role in protecting children
from abuse and neglect. If abuse is suspected,
a report should be filed with qualified and experienced
agencies that will investigate the situation.
The California State Child Abuse Reporting Law
provides the legal basis for action to protect
children and to allow intervention by public agencies
if a child is being abused.
If you suspect that a child has been or is in
danger of abuse or neglect, contact the police
or county sheriff, or the county Children's Protective
Services 24-hour emergency response phone.
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Children's
Services
Child Protective Services (CPS) is the major system
of intervention of child abuse and neglect in
California. Existing law provides for services
to abused and neglected children and their families.
The goal is to keep the child in his/her own home
when it is safe, and when the child is at risk,
to develop an alternate plan as quickly as possible.
Immediate/Emergency
Response (IR/ER)
When
a referral is received, the social service staff
obtains facts from the person making the referral
to determine if the referral alleges abuse, neglect,
or exploitation. The Emergency Response staff
determines if an in-person response is indicated.
Whenever a report indicates the need for protection,
Children's Services will:
- Accept
the case
- Intervene
in the crisis, if required
- Apply
Family Perservation and Support Services for
some families
- Assess
or identify problems, gather facts and clarify
the problems
- Plan
and provide services, set goals, identify resources
and timeframes
- Document
the case
- Terminate
the case or transfer it to another program
Family
Maintenance (FM)
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.
Family
Reunification (FR)
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.
Permanent
Placement (PP)
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 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
Where
to get help
If
you need help, or if you suspect a child is being
abused or neglected, contact Children's Services
at our 24- hour response lines: Chico area 1-800-268-8822
and Oroville area 1-800-400-0902. For directions
to our offices click
here.
Visit
the Official State of California Site:
Local
Services
Other
Resources
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