In 2014, the CPS checked up on 3.2 million children. In particular, they consider 2.5 million of these children as ‘non-victims,’ but up to 686,000 others were ‘neglected’ or ‘abused’, and approximately 1,640 children died in 2014 (as stated in The Atlantic).
These significant statistics represent the children’s serious situation in the United States. Children do need more social security and caring.
Hence, Child Protective Services Jobs play a vital role in ensuring children’s and teenagers’ safety.
Table of Contents
Child Protective Services Jobs
Check out the adequate review of Child Protective Services jobs:
What Is CPS?
Child Protective Services (CPS) is a U.S-based government department. CPS is often referred to as the Department of Social Services (DSS) or only Social Services. It takes responsibility for child protective services related to child abuse or neglect allegations.
CPS has other names in other states, reflecting more family-centered (as opposed to child-centered) activities, such as the Department of Children and Family Services-DCFS.
This agency essentially guarantees that children and adolescents have the best conditions to grow safely, stay healthy, and receive the necessary treatment.
Responsibilities
Relevant tasks of the CPS Caseworkers shall include:
- Review allegations of abuse or neglect of children or teenagers.
- Investigate people close to the child: parents, friends, neighbors… to collect evidence regarding the child’s harm.
- Collect facts and documents for regular medical check-ups, court filings, arrest records of individuals related to the child.
- Plan, organize and act to assist children and their families in life.
- Complete the paperwork detailing the survey carried out.
CPS guarantees that children have the best conditions to grow up – Source: cdn.cdnparenting
Child Protective Service Worker Salary
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) did not collect detailed data on CPS caseworkers. Notwithstanding, we could use BLS statistics on social workers in general (2018) to conclude CPS income:
- How much do CPS workers make each year? According to the BLS assessment, it is likely that the average salary a CPS earns per year is about $49,470 (approximately $23,78/hour).
- The annual salary of the top 10% of CPS employees’ yearly salary can be more than $81,400 (approximately $39.13/hour).
- A small percentage (less than 10%) of CPS earns less than $30,750 per year (approximately $14,78/hour).
When CPS Investigates Your Family
District law requires CPS to investigate any child abuse and neglect allegations. Hence, if CPS receives information that your child may be at risk of violence, abuse, or abandonment, they will act promptly to help the child out.
“Child neglect”
District law describes “child neglect” as one of the following actions:
- Place a child in a dangerous situation.
- Deliberately hurt a kid.
- Harass sexually or contact with a kid/child.
- Emotionally damage to a kid/child/teenager due to parents’ or guardians’ behaviors.
“Child abuse”
District law describes “children abuse” as the following action:
- Make a child or a kid in a shortage of food, shelter, supervision, education, or medical treatment (due to parental acts or customs).
CPS’s 24-hour hotline at (202) 671-SAFE is also open to CPS staff to receive child abuse reports. Typically, friends, neighbors, relatives, or even strangers could call CPS’s hotline if they are nervous about any child or kid.
What’s more, any of these “mandated reporters” such as physicians, doctors, social workers, nannies, social workers, teachers, and child care workers, contribute a great deal to CPS service by supplying information about violence against children.
During CPS Home Visit
What Does A CPS Home Visit Look Like?
During home visits, the CPS caseworkers can perform full house inspections and snap photographs while recording essential details.
CPSs also learn more about the conditions or circumstances of the child’s position. They were most concerned about the kid’s following aspects:
- Cleanliness
- Firearms
- Food
- Sleeping arrangements
- Medicine, chemical, alcohol
- Other safety issues
In addition to the issues referred to above, CPS caseworkers also focus on the house’s conditions or any child’s issues listed in reports and allegations.
They have to collect as many related details as possible for their investigation. As a result, they need to ask the landlord for support within the assessment process.
CPS inspector is also called a government worker. They have the right to collect any information about you and your relatives to warrant children’s rights.
However, the CPS investigators’ visits may indeed be stressful, even traumatic, with your family. Why? The investigative method is structured to be in-depth. They might ask some really “nosy” questions. That can be frustrating.
Sometimes, it is unknown how to eliminate their suspicions even if your family has no problem.
—->Video: “The disturbing, heartbreaking reality of Child Protective Services caseworkers”
Sometimes, it is unknown how to eliminate their suspicions even if your family has no problem – Source: findlawimages
What does CPS do during home visits?
When an investigation is opened, CPS investigators will visit your home. Initially, they will ask parents directly several questions regarding the report that has been sent to them. If needed, they will examine the child’s entire house.
The investigators need a list of people who regularly visit and live near the child. Next, CPS will check these people’s backgrounds through both the DFPS and the crime database. Then, they conduct a thorough interview with each person.
If any individual in this list has a history of drugs, violence, or sexual abuse, the CPS may consider removing your child from your home as they must ensure that there is no potential danger to the child.
Next, the CPS may give you a document called “safety plan”. It needs signing as CPS requires you to follow specific rules during the investigation process.
Most investigations will take approximately 30 days. Once this period is over, they will send you a “resolution letter” and complete the procedure.
Let CPS Caseworkers Talk To Your Kid
It would help if you let them see your kid. Put your children’s guards down by letting them know these CPS caseworkers’ friendliness and sole purpose to protect them. Then, the child will not get scared face-to-face with CPS staff.
Your kids might also tell the truth about what she/he is facing. For instance, your child has issues with strangers or life challenges, yet she/he could not tell family members. In this case, your child may be open, to tell the truth to an objective helper like CPS. Thus, CPS can be better positioned to know all details to solve your children’s problems.
Job Outlook
CPS’s job growth rates may vary widely across different federal states, regions, and counties in the U.S – Source: civiclive
BLS declared that social worker’s recruitment would increase by 16% between 2016 and 2026. Specifically, the proportion of child social workers (CPS), home, and school workers will increase by about 14 percent between 2016 and 2026.
This rate represents a relatively rapid increase in the need for CPS staff compared to other occupations’. Notwithstanding, CPS’s job growth rates may vary widely across different federal states, regions, and counties in the U.S.
The Bottom Line
Child Protective Services Jobs play a key role in protecting children’s rights and interests, and CPS caseworkers will always be on your family’s side to keep your children safe. Consequently, collaborating with CPS for mutual gain should be done to protect the kids better.
