They Took The Kids – Now What Do I Do?By getmychildrenback / July 13, 2018 Get your copy of this course Course Information Course Instructor getmychildrenback Author Cheat Sheet What You Need To Know NOW! Read this first Open Letter From Senator Nancy Schaefer Senator Nancy Schaefer Reveals the problems with CPS Finally someone was actively speaking out against CPS…but she and her husband were soon killed. This Will Be An Uphill Battle For Most Why It Is Hard To Win Against CPS The reasons that CPS is NOT working for you or anyone else. It is corrupt from the top to the bottom. What To Do If Your Children Are Taken By CPS Or The Police Do These Things Right Away As soon as they walk out the door with your child…..do these things. Should I tell CPS About Services I Am Already Taking? Already doing services can be a good thing but don’t let them use it against you. Create A List Of Relatives Where Your Children Can Be Placed The court is going to order you to supply a list of relatives to maybe place you child with. You might as well get started with it. Make sure they are your friends and don’t have a lot of dirt on you! What Exactly Are You Being Accused Of? Neglect and Abuse Each states definition of abuse and neglect Medical Abuse Most of these allegations are trumped up by the Doctor, CPS, and even the Governor. Neglect – Lack Of Supervision This is one of CPS’s favorite ways of grabbing kids. Safety Threats Guide What does Threat Of Harm mean? Safety Threats Guide – Impending Danger Threats These are Oregon’s 16 Safety Threats that I use as examples of why they can take children away. If you see any area that you need to improve…do it! It also helps you to see if CPS overstepped their authority. Keep Things Documented Log Everything – Keep Your Head Straight Buy a notebook just for keeping your important information in. Keep A Log Of Your Conversations With The Caseworker You MUST document EVERYTHING! Keep A Log Of Your Visits With Your Children It is your word against theirs. They will even twist your visits into something bad. Record Conversations If You Can ALWAYS record as much as you can. If you cannot, write down EVERY single word! Keep Important Names, Addresses, & Phone Numbers Very Important Document You Are Becoming A Better Parent CPS shows the bad – You must show the good Your Rights and What You Can Expect Know Your Rights Know your rights or loose your child. Expectations You should expect certain respect. Shut UP!!! You Do Not Have To Talk To The Social Worker Or The Police SHUT UP! They are on the other side. They are your enemy. Do NOT Get Angry – Remain Calm Only gets worse if you get angry and act out! EVERYTHING You Say Will Be Twisted And Used Against You They are just doing their job. Husband And Wife Must Work Together Divide And Conquer You both must work together and not give the caseworker any information to use against you in court. New Relationships During a Case Getting into a new relationship during a CPS case can cause you problems. Teenage Parents Teenage Parents Can Get In Trouble With CPS Too This is a VERY complicated situation. Fathers What Is A Legal Father? Just because you are the biological father does not mean that you are the LEGAL father. Paternity Checks One of your parental rights is to pay child support to CPS while they have your child. How Do I Know If I Am The Legal Father? Were you married to her when the baby was born? I Am Named As “Alleged Father” In A CPS Case, Now What? How to go from “alledged father” to biological father in a case The Court Says That I am The Legal Father But I Don’t Think I Am Get a DNA test to find out. Do I Get A Lawyer Even If I Am Not The Legal Father? Yes, even you will need a lawyer. Will I Have The Same Lawyer As The Child’s Mother? Sometimes, and sometimes not. But should you? The Non-Offending Parent What Should You Do? The non-offending parent may appear as “guilty” as the offending parent. Parents With Disabilities Special Accommodations For Those With Disabilities Parents with disabilities or special needs are more likely than other parents to become involved with CPS and they are more likely to lose their parental rights. Caseworkers And Their Responsibilities Investigative or Intake Worker Their job is to get you on the conveyor belt one way or another. Even if they have to lie to you or the court or forge signatures. Caseworker The Caseworkers job is to KEEP your child on the conveyor belt. They will do this by getting MORE incriminating information against you. You need to SHUT UP. Caseworker’s Supervisor Every social worker has someone above them to check their work. You cannot tell me that they don’t know what is going on and that their lack of action or their improper actions are MISTAKES!! Case Manager Some states use a Case manager to help the case worker. Case Planner What Is A “Face-To-Face”? A face to face contact is mandated EVERY month for both you and your child. If the caseworker is not doing this, they are committing malfeasance. Update The Case To Show Today’s Improvements or Safety Threats Don’t let CPS get away with NOT updating the case plan and report to the court. Meetings With The Caseworker & Service Plans Helpful Tips When you talk to CPS, do not lie, get angry, or miss your appointments. Family Group Decision Making Meetings This meeting is a TRAP to get you to sign a contract with them. DO NOT sign it!! Family Group Decision Making Meetings #2 Don’t sign it unless you agree to everything in it including WHY CPS took your child. Service Plans Follow every word to the letter in your case plan. At the same time, fight for your childs rights to be home with you. The Case Plan The Case Plan The case plan is the rules you will have to live by to get your kids back. The Concurrent Plan A concurrent plan is used for when you did not beat CPS. Action Agreements = Service Plan or Safety Plan This is one of their BIGGEST ways of getting you and your children on the conveyor belt. DO NOT SIGN THIS PLAN!! Make them take it to court and PROVE that it was abuse and the the child was harmed seriously from your actions. Ongoing Safety Plan A safety plan is a legal agreement with a private membership organization. If you sign this agreement, you must live by it. ASFA – Adoption And Safe Families Act The first law to give relatives preference in caring for the child. Caseworker Not Updating The Case Plan This is one of their biggest ways to make you appear unfit or unsafe. Stay on top of this. Be Aware Of Case Worker Forgery And Lies Signature Forged On 2nd Case Plan Watch for these problems in your own case. Record and photograph everything! Get copies of everything you sign. DCS Case Worker Arrested For Falsifying Information DCS Case Worker Arrested For Falsifying Information Social Workers Guilty Of Fraud In Danieal Kelly Case Two different caseworkers in this one. CPS Said Parent Positive For Drugs, Tests Said Negative They will try to say that you take drugs when you do not. That is falsifying a record. All About Release Forms What Is A Release Form? It is a way for CPS to trick you into giving up your private information and then use it against you in court. What Happens If I Don’t Want To Sign A Medical Release Form? NEVER sign a blank medical release form. How To Rescind Your Signature You are under contract with CPS and the county and in order to get your child back, you must break the contract What To Do If They Are Not Giving You Services You Need Complain To The Judge Or The Supervisor What you really want to pursue is demanding your children back, not getting your services. Can CPS Interview My Child At School or Daycare? Is It Against The Constitution? Custody, Kinship Care, And Relative Foster Care What Should You Do? Parents Who Do Not Speak English As a First Language Ask For An Interpreter Get a Copy Of the Investigation File Where Can I Get a Copy Of the Investigation File? After an investigation, you can get a copy of that file. Going To Court Coming Soon – Get A Copy Of The Petition Coming Soon – Get The Information Needed To Fight Coming Soon – Bring Photographs Coming Soon – Now What Do I Do With All Of This Information? Coming Soon – Hearsay Coming Soon – DO NOT SIGN A PLEA OF GUILT!!! Frequently Asked Questions More that you need to know. In The Courtroom Coming Soon – What To Do If You Are Using Common Law And Do Not Have A SSN Or Birth Certificate. Coming Soon – How And When To Talk To The Judge They Lie Under Oath The Initial Hearing – Detention Hearing – Adversary Hearing – Preliminary Protective Hearing – 72 Hour Hearing This one is important to get services that will help your children return back home while this case goes on. The Status Hearing Just checking in to see what condition your condition is in. Pre-trial Or Settlement Mediation & Settlement Agreement Settle it out of court. The Adjudication Hearing Speak NOW or forever hold your peace! The Disposition Hearing The Disposition Hearing Review CRB – Citizens Review Board The Permanency Hearing Now they are getting real serious on where the child will go when this is all over. Adoption can be an option. Final Hearing & Termination Of Parental Rights This the sad ending if you were not able to defend yourself. Getting The Best From Your Court Ordered Services Preventive Services Our recommendation is to NOT take the services. Contracting with CPS makes you guilty of their accusations. Your Attorney Coming Soon – When To Get An Attorney Can I Get a Lawyer To Help Me? You can get a lawyer at any time. The court will not supply one during an investigation. The Court Appointed Attorney You do NOT want an attorney! If you do or even go pro se or pro per….that puts you under the court’s jurisdiction. Working With Your Attorney Things to talk to your attorney about Coming Soon – How To Find A GOOD Attorney What To Do If Your Court Appointed Attorney Is Not Helping Get our course and FIRE your attorney! How To Fire Your Attorney Coming Soon – Get Copies Of Your Case File Confidential And Private Information – What If I Also Have an Open Criminal Case? – Your Child Has The Right to Confidentiality, Too! – Things My Lawyer Should Be Doing What they are supposed to do for you. How Can I Help My Lawyer? The best person to help your lawyer is YOU! The Other Attorneys The State Attorney (CPS) – The Child’s Attorney (Ad Litem Guardian) or ALG – Never Do These Things Never Sign A Plea Of Guilt NEVER, EVER, say that you are guilty! In fact, don’t even plead! Never Except Services That Do Not Equal Your “Crime” NEVER agree to services that do not match what they alleged that you did wrong. Coming Soon – Never Let CPS Delay Your Services Coming Soon – Never Tell Them You Were Once In The System Never Agree To A Drug Test Without A Court Order Don’t agree to a drug test if there is no court order to take one. Never Agree To Service Plans Without A Court Order Never agree to take their services. That will sign you up with their Private Membership Association Never Give Them A List Of Friends And Relatives Until After They Have Taken The Kids It is a trick to get more dirt on you. Never Tell Them Your Parental Rights Were Terminated Before The odds are against you if you tell them your rights were terminated previously. Never Tell Them That You Were Abused When You Were Younger Shut Up! Do NOT give up your personal information. Never Let Them Interview Your Child Alone If it is in your power, always say no to an interview. Always show the child but do not allow an interview. Quite Posting On Social Media STOP! Online Information = Public Information Your posts can be used as evidence against you! Your Visits With Your Children Coming Soon – What To Do And Not Do During Visitation Coming Soon – Visits At The CPS Visitation Room Coming Soon – Visitation With The Foster Parents Coming Soon – Visitation At The Unsupervised Visitation Center Coming Soon – The Home Visit Coming Soon – Prove You Can Parent Photos And Videos Try to record the first time. If there is a problem, put the camera or recorder away and ask nicely for a copy of the law or administrative rule that they are going by. Coming Soon – Bring Projects Coming Soon – Never Say Bad Things Out In The Waiting Room What Will Supervised Visits Be Like? Now you get to be watched through a dark glass window while you play with your child in a small room. What To Talk About At Your Visit Bring some snacks and make it fun! VISITATION DOS AND DON’TS Do this! Don’t do that! Cant your read the signs! Don’t Talk About The Case They will tell you that you cannot talk to your child about the CPS case. But they will try to stop you also from putting together a case against them by not letting you talk to your child about your lawsuit against them. Drugs And Alcohol When They Ask You To Take A Drug Test Do NOT take a drug test unless you are court ordered. Your Constitutional Rights NOT To Take A Drug Test When Taking Drugs Is Neglect Or Abuse At least 75% of CPS cases are drug-related problems. They will take your children and keep them if you if you cannot give a consistent clean drug test. It is VERY important that you do your best. When Drinking Alcohol Is Neglect Or Abuse You may not think your drinking is neglecting or abusing your child. CPS thinks differently. Different Kinds Of Drug Tests There are a few different ways for you to be tested for drugs. Get A Copy Of The Drug Test NEVER let a CPS worker give you a drug test unless your eyes are on it 100% of the time. What Will CPS Likely Ask Me To Do If Drugs/Alcohol Are Part Of My Case? Medical Concerns What Is Medical Neglect? It probably is not what you think it is. Brittle Bone Syndrome This is happening more and more. Shaken Baby Syndrome They have changed the name to make it harder for you to defend yourself. Munchausen by proxy Just because Doctors can’t explain what is happening to your child…you get blamed. Coming Soon – How To Get Your Child’s Medical History Information on Psyc Evaluations What To Do If You Are Arrested Plan Ahead I hope you planned ahead. Your Rights When You Are Incarcerated Coming Soon -Foster Parents (Out Of Home Care) Foster Parents And Relative Caregivers Relative Foster Care Can you get a relative to take care of your children while the case is going on? Relative Custody Or Guardianship It’s better than traditional foster care. Giving Custody To Someone Else Legal custody is one way to protect your child from CPS Custody Of A Relative Vs. Kinship Foster Care A few tips How Does a Child Enter Kinship Foster Care? It is the way they roll. Making an INFORMAL Custody Arrangement See if your state allows this. Making A FORMAL Custody Arrangement A Relative can file for custody How can you get your child back from a relative or caretaker who has been granted custody? You will have to prove that you have been a good parent even when your child has been with someone else. Coming Soon -De Facto Motion Child Support Coming Soon – You Will Still Have To Support Your Children Coming Soon – Custody Battle During CPS Involvement Coming Soon – When To Argue Custody Coming Soon – Divorce During A CPS Case What Are Your Parental Rights? What Are My Rights Before CPS Involvement You have all of your Constitutional rights until you sign ONE of their papers. SIGN NOTHING!! What Are My Rights After Judge Takes Jurisdiction And Gives CPS Full Custody? You do not have many rights left once you have been tricked into joining their Private Membership Organization. And you thought the Constitution gave you a bunch more rights??? Give Me Your Input Is There Any Mistakes or Something I Missed In This Course? Help me out here, please.