The ALWAYS for Parents Dealing with CYS

The ALWAYS for parents dealing with CYS:

1) ALWAYS do independent drug tests on the SAME day they give you a drug test.

2) ALWAYS do an independent psych evaluation

3) ALWAYS have all paperwork and communication delivered to CPS via a professional so a paper trail exists of your communication

4) ALWAYS require tracking and read receipts on electronic communication

5) Always use email whenever possible for the paper trail.  CC the supervisor.  Phone calls can lead to lies.

6) Have your children examined by the family Doctor to prove there were no abuse marks, sickness or health problems.  If there is a medical issue make sure they document it.

7) Always start a Timeline journal.  After each visit write what occurred and email caseworker a copy.

8)Notify relatives and friends who would be willing to take kinship or guarianship

 9) Read any and all documents they give you carefully.  Make changes to any and all mistakes and make sure they are corrected.  Ask for a copy of the corrected paperwork and anything they have documented.  Getting your records or file is your right but they will make it difficult to attain.  You may have to have an atty file an order to get the file.  Keep copies of everything you have and keep one set of documents off site safely.

10) Let their phone calls go to voicemail so you can be prepared and calm when returning the call.

Remember social workers  and other government employees may be SUED for deprivation of civil rights under 42 U.S.C. 1983 if they are named in their "official and individual capacity."  There is no Immunity if the caseworker took actions with malicious intent to cause deprivation of rights, or they violated established statutory or constitutional rights.  A supervisor or director can be liable also if he told to, order to, set in motion of, acts by the social worker and or refused to terminate a series of acts by the social worker which they know would cause the violation of constitutional rights.

Parents have the right to care for have custody of and nurture their children.  It cannot be denied without violating fundamental principles of liberty and justice which are the base of all our civil and political institutions.  It is a right protected by the 1st,5th, 9th and 14th amendments.