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Family Team Meetings and Group Conferences during a CPS Case 1


Child Protective Services Program

The Child Protective Services Program is one of the programs of the government which aims to look after children who are victims of abuse and neglect. The personnel of this program handles the investigation of reports pertaining to any alleged abuse or negligence to a child. They are the ones responsible for knowing the validity of these allegations. And if needed, this branch of your social services department can intervene in some family matters of the child. They may get rid of the abuser or take the child away from home. These procedures, however, must follow the laws of the state where the child resides. 

Temporary Custody of Child

This social program, although aiming for the safety and security of the child, might still get stressful for family members and, sometimes, for the child. As a last resort, the CPS personnel may take temporary custody of your child. During this period, problems may arise among family members. It will be difficult for the child, the parents, or the other siblings. This could lead to a bigger family crisis. Experts say it is best to involve the family in Family Team Meetings or in Family Group Conferences.

Family Team Meetings

These meetings are usually held at the time before the CPS takes your child for temporary custody. Take note that this happens before the filing of the petition of the CPS in court to take custody. All throughout this meeting, the members of your family, who serves as your social support, meet the CPS caseworker. This caseworker is responsible for the custody of your child. The reason for this meeting is to hear out both sides and share helpful insights. It can also address the concerns of the child at a much earlier stage.

Family Group Conferences

Unlike the Family Team Meeting, which does not require the family to attend and meet together with a CPS personnel, Family Group Conferences are scheduled group discussions that happen after the child has already been taken out of your home. In this instance, experts such as teachers, social workers, or guidance counselors, as much as possible, should be present in the meeting. Other friends and relatives who can share important advices or information can also join the program. Both of these meetings share the same goal of taking into account the safety and security of the child and planning ahead of the possible circumstances that would improve the child’s well-being.

These conferences and assemblies involve a lot of information-exchange and goal-setting so things such as service plans are developed. This is usually done with the help of the CPS caseworker of your child. It includes a to-do list of the things that should be improved within yourself and your family so that you would be ready when your child comes back home. It could be some sort of training and rehab if you have habits that could be the reason behind the abuse. 

In the duration of this case, it is best to have a family lawyer who could help you in giving the proper legal advice. This is important since court proceedings are going on at this time. Do not hesitate to consult the experts as they can assist you throughout the Child Protective Services case.

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Mr. Hutton is a Divorce and Custody Lawyer based out of Round Rock, TX. His background is with child psychology at Arizona State University where he received a B.S. in 2006, and he continued this by working with the Children’s Right’s Clinic at the University of Texas School of Law where he received his J.D. in 2009. Throughout his practice, he has been a strong proponent of utilizing modern technology to improve his practice and the representation of his clients. He currently is the technology chair of CAFA of Travis County and is committed to improving and modernizing the practice of law in Texas. If you have any questions you can contact him at timothy.hutton@austintexaslegal.com

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One thought on “Family Team Meetings and Group Conferences during a CPS Case

  • Chastity Mc Elroy

    You know how can one who has any kind of a heart just come into your home and kidnap your children for no logical reason? So after doing my research i have come to know that my children were basically kidnapped from me and done so because they were fed false information, in which i have proof to the lie. I was never shown documentation not was a sheriff available. I have also found out that the group of coldhearted individuals took bribery money from the person in which the children are now placed with. Here is the just of the whole situation. See these people are not in the best interest of the child they are in the best interest of their bank account. So they go and find individuals as myself and find that you have no family support or your are not rich enough to afford an awesome attorney to be able to fight the case for you cause again i found out that without a lawyer they mute you during your court hearing all while the caseworker and others lie while under oath. I was so upset cause even the judge was feeding them stuff to say. NOT ONE TIME did i ever get to defend myself nor ever get to talk to anyone. I was not offered a court appointed attorney, I was not offered a saftey plan, I requested copies of my case records in which i am entitled to and was told no because you are not a legal party to this case. i have not gotten off this computer cause i need to find an attorney to help me i am running out of time and i cannot loose my babies to sorry crooked cold hearted people. I cannot believe so many people have put their jobs and freedom on the line cause i will press charges for wrongful doings and briberies. This region is know for taking bribes. not one but many times. I will say that their are 8-10 people who have all taken part in this matter. I have not gotten to speak to my babies nor seen them since early Dec. 2020. ANd yet they expect you to stay sane especially when you know you have done nothing wrong at all. So If anyone reading this knows of an attorney i need one. but how to contact me? I hope no one has to go through this is sucks bad.