Pathway to Reunification

What to expect

Every case plan is different. You may be required to go to counseling, attend parent education classes, or receive drug treatment and testing services. It is very important to follow the case plan developed for you and your family. Comply with all court orders, follow the advice provided by your attorney, and attend all the programs and services.

The sooner you enroll in the programs, the sooner you may be able to reunify with your child. If you don’t understand what is expected of you, make sure you ask your social worker or attorney. Learn more about some of the support services available to parents by visiting the parents resource tab.

Housing support

Bringing Families Home

The Bringing Families Home Program assists families by providing housing supports and intensive case management, as well as support to families receiving family reunification and family maintenance services.

Bringing Families Home goals include:

• Reducing the number of families in the child welfare system experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
• Increasing family reunification
• Preventing Foster Care placement

To find out if you are eligible, talk to your social worker about the Bringing Families Home Program or other programs that may be available to you. OR contact the Housing Authority of Kern County for additional housing resources.

Support Programs for Parents

Voluntary Family Maintenance Program

Voluntary Family Maintenance (VFM) Program is the provision of non-court, time-limited protective services to families whose children are in potential danger of abuse or neglect when the child can safely remain in the home and the family is willing to accept services and engage in corrective action. VFM services are limited to six months and may be extended under certain circumstances.

Differential Response (DR) Services

CPS refers families with a variety of needs to Clinica Sierra Vista to provide Differential Response (DR) Services to families in the community. DR services are voluntary services offered to a family to mitigate safety and risk factors and provide linkages to community resources. DR emphasizes the importance of broadly assessing a family’s situations and meet underlying needs while focusing on maintaining child safety, well-being and permanency.

Family Urgent Response System (FURS)

FURS is a coordinated statewide, regional, and county-level system designed to provide collaborative and timely state-level phone-based response and county-level in-home, in-person mobile response during situations of instability, to preserve the relationship of the caregiver and the child or youth.

How FURS Helps and Why It’s Important:

• It provides current and former foster youth and their caregivers with immediate, trauma-informed support when they need it.
• Prevents placement moves.
• Preserves the relationship between the child or youth and their caregiver.
• Provides a trauma-informed alternative for families who previously resorted to calling 911 or law enforcement.
• Reduces hospitalizations, law enforcement contacts, and placement in out-of-home facilities.
• Promotes healing as a family.
• Improves retention of current foster caregivers.
• Promotes stability for youth in foster care, including youth in extended foster care.

Hotline

• FURS Hotline Flyer - Adult
• FURS Hotline Flyer - Youth

Parent Resources

Families often come in contact with CPS because they need help.

Parenting is tough, but it doesn’t have to be tough on children. The best way to prevent CPS involvement or to shorten the time a case is open is to reach out for the assistance you need.

Parents with CPS Cases

If you are a parent who has been referred to CPS or has an open case with CPS, some services are specifically designed to help you navigate the CPS process and better ensure a positive outcome for your children and family.

Preventive and Support Services

Preventive and support services are designed to keep families together and prevent CPS investigations in the first place.

These services are free to families regardless of age, immigration status, or insurance status. You do not need to have an open CPS case to access this parenting support.

Throughout Kern County, CPS partners with Community Based Organizations to provide support services and assistance to parents and families who need help. Whether you have a referral or an open case with CPS, or you’re simply a Kern County resident looking for some help these programs are available to you:

• Basic Family Needs Services
• Child Developmental Screenings and Educational Services and Supports
• Education & Special Education Information and Resources
• Family Fun Nights
• Navigating Child Support
• Neighborhood/Community Action Groups
• Women’s Infant’s and Children’s Health Services
• Family Planning and Birth Control
• Parenting Education
• Substance Abuse Services
• Safe Sleep Resources
• Structured Parent-Child and/or Family-Centered Activities
• Safe Surrender
• Public Health
• Bakersfield American Indian Health Project (BAIHP)
• Resource Directory

Find the Community-Based Family Resource Center offering preventive and support services in your area and call them directly to get connected. You can also call 211 for referrals and linkage to resources in your community. Access more resources.

Differential Response (DR)

CPS refers families with a variety of needs to Clinica Sierra Vista to provide Differential Response (DR) Services to families in the community. DR services are voluntary services offered to a family to mitigate safety and risk factors and provide linkages to community resources. DR emphasizes the importance of broadly assessing family situations and meet underlying needs while focusing on maintaining child safety, well-being and permanency.

Voluntary Family Maintenance (VFM) Program

Voluntary Family Maintenance (VFM) is the provision of non-court, time-limited protective services to families whose children are in potential danger of abuse or neglect when the child can safely remain in the home and the family is willing to accept services and engage in corrective action. VFM services are limited to six months and may be extended under certain circumstances.

Family Justice Center

The Kern County Family Justice Center (FJC) is a unique and safe place where victims of domestic violence and their children are the highest priority and are offered a variety of services and supports. Through collaboration and coordinated services, the FJC and its partners are committed to providing the help needed to break the cycle of violence.

Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance GBLA

Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance (GBLA) provides a variety of legal services to meet the basic legal needs of its eligible clients. These basic legal problems generally involve preventing homelessness, access to health care, and securing financial resources to meet the basic necessities of life. Secondly, GBLA tries to help those eligible clients who are able and willing to get out of poverty. In this regard, GBLA’s focus is on those legal needs that address issues of economic and family stability, physical security, and access to high-quality education.

New and First-Time Parents

• FIRST 5 Kern Provides resources and supports for children in Kern County ages 0-5 and their Families.
• The California Black Infant Health (BIH) Program aims to improve health among African American mothers and babies and to reduce the Black/ White disparities by empowering pregnant and mothering African American women to make healthy choices for themselves, their families, and their communities.
• Bakersfield American Indian Health Project (BAIHP) is a Public Health Case Management and Referral Program that focuses on improving the access and utilization of quality health care services for the urban American Indian population in Kern County. There are a variety of resources and programs available that encompass physical health and wellness as well as case management and resources.
• Garden Pathways Downtown Education Center nurtures comprehensive readiness for success in school and life. In the critical first years, children at The Garden develop increasing competence in all areas.
• The Bakersfield Pregnancy Center is a fully-licensed, primary care, free clinic providing medical and advocacy services. Medical services include pregnancy testing, ultrasounds in the first trimester, and STD testing and treatment. They also offer parenting classes, material assistance, and coaching for men and women to come alongside their clients with a wrap-around service.

Clothing, Diapers, and Supplies

Call 2-1-1 Kern County for additional support in this area. They are a program provided by Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK), that provides comprehensive information and referral services that link Kern County residents to community health and human services and support. Callers seeking assistance dial 2-1-1 and are connected with Information and Referral Specialists who utilize a resource directory to research and provide the information requested. Services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to the 750,000 residents in the county.

The Bakersfield Pregnancy Center is a fully-licensed, primary care, free clinic providing medical and advocacy services. Medical services include pregnancy testing, ultrasounds in the first trimester, and STD testing and treatment. They also offer parenting classes, material assistance, and coaching for men and women to come alongside their clients with a wrap-around service.

Head Start Early Childhood Education

Head Start & Early Head Start Programs engage parents, teachers, caregivers, and administrators in forging a path towards a bright and healthy future for every child in their programs. California State Preschool funding is used to complement and expand hours for Head Start and Early Head Start families requiring full-day services. CAPK offers Head Start and Early Head Start services throughout Kern County.

Child Health & Mental Health

Children with Special Needs

Kern Regional Center (KRC) – Kern Regional Center is one of 21 private, nonprofit regional centers contracted by the State of California through the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to coordinate community-based services and support for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

California Children’s Services (CCS) - The CCS program provides diagnostic and treatment services, medical case management, and physical and occupational therapy services to children under age 21 with CCS-eligible medical conditions. Examples of CCS-eligible conditions include, but are not limited to, chronic medical conditions such as cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, cerebral palsy, heart disease, cancer, traumatic injuries, and infectious diseases producing major sequelae. CCS also provides medical therapy services that are delivered at public schools.

Kern County Superintendent of Schools - Any individual who believes they know a child who might require special education intervention may call the Search and Serve office or their local school district and talk with someone about their concerns. Programs and services from birth until age 21 are available to a child who has a disability. Every call results in a personal contact.

Children with Behavioral Problems

Children with Mental Health or Behavioral issues can seek services through the children’s system of care, coordinated by Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (KBHRS). Depending on the geographic location of your residence you may be referred to a Mental Health partnering agency for services to be provided. Geographic providers include:

• Clinica Sierra Vista
• College Community Services
• Child Guidance Clinic

Additional County Support

Kern County Department of Human Services works alongside other Kern County agencies to ensure that we are able to provide comprehensive services to parents and families in need of assistance. Visit the sites below to learn more.

• CalFresh
• Employment and Financial services
• Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services
• 211
• Educational Services
• FURS
• Dream Center
• Kern Public Health
• Kern County Probation

Open CPS Case

We know that receiving a visit from Child Protective Services can be concerning. However, CPS believes that every child deserves to grow up in a safe, loving family environment – and that means investigating reports of potential child abuse or neglect.

What to expect

When CPS receives a call on our Child Protection Hotline, we determine if the report meets the requirements of an investigation according to the law. If it does, a thorough investigation will be conducted to assess child safety and ensure the well-being of every child in the family.

No two reports are handled the same way and are based on each child’s situation. Child abuse and neglect investigations can be conducted by CPS and/or law enforcement. CPS focuses on the safety and well-being of the child and family, while law enforcement focuses on determining whether a crime has been committed. Not all CPS reports require an investigation by law enforcement.

During an investigation

An Emergency Response Social Worker will visit your home and determine whether your child can safely stay in your home during the investigation. CPS’s first objective is to enable your children to remain safely with you at home. However, if that is not possible, CPS in partnership with parents, may make temporary arrangements and create a safety plan for your child to stay with an approved relative or family friend while the investigation continues.

If it is determined that your child must be immediately removed from your home, Emergency Removal procedures will be enacted.

Over the next 30 days or less, the social worker will continue to investigate your child’s situation to determine whether or not a case should be opened. They will:

• Review your family’s history with CPS
• Contact the reporter of the concern
• Conduct home visits
• Interview all parties involved, including the parents, children, siblings, and other adults in the home to assess your child’s safety and well-being.

If the investigation is unfounded

If no credible evidence of maltreatment or neglect is found, you and your family can choose to participate in voluntary support services with a community organization that is designed to help your family overcome struggles and maintain stability. The investigation will then be closed.

If the investigation finds credible evidence

If there is evidence of maltreatment or neglect, a Court Intake Social Worker will be assigned to your family. The Court Intake Social Worker will evaluate your case and depending on the severity of the situation, a petition may be filed with the Kern County Juvenile Dependency Court.

The court will hold hearings to determine if the allegations in the petition are true or not true. The court will then decide whether or not to place your child under its jurisdiction and become dependent on the court. You still maintain parental rights, even while the case is open.

A Family Services Social Worker will be assigned to your family to help develop a case plan and provide you with referrals to services that help to address the concerns with your child’s safety and/or wellbeing.

At that point, your case will fall into one of two categories:

• Family Maintenance
  • Your child will remain at home with one or both parents, and you will be court-ordered to complete required training or services.
• Family Reunification
  • Your child will be temporarily placed out-of-home, away from one or both parents, either with a relative caregiver or in foster care. CPS will then work with you to develop a reunification plan and connect you with services so that you may work toward being reunited with your child.
  • If a petition is not filed with the Juvenile Court, you may be asked to participate in a voluntary case plan to address worries and barriers for your family.
  • It is important to remember that if you have an open investigation with CPS, you have the right to talk with the social worker assigned to your case or your attorney. Navigating this process can be stressful, and confusing, and social workers can be a useful resource.

Programs and Services

Differential Response (DR) Services

CPS refers families with a variety of needs to Clinica Sierra Vista to provide Differential Response (DR) Services to families in the community. DR services are voluntary services offered to a family to mitigate safety and risk factors and provide linkages to community resources. DR emphasizes the importance of broadly assessing family situations and meet underlying needs while focusing on maintaining child safety, well-being and permanency.

Voluntary Family Maintenance (VFM) program

The Voluntary Family Maintenance (VFM) is the provision of non-court, time-limited protective services to families whose children are in potential danger of abuse or neglect when the child can safely remain in the home and the family is willing to accept services and engage in corrective action. VFM services are limited to six months and may be extended under certain circumstances

Child and Family Team Meetings

Child and Family Team Meetings bring family members together so that, with the support of professionals and community resources, they can create a plan that ensures child safety and meets the family's needs. The family has input about those involved with the process.

Parental Rights

If your child is placed in foster care, legal custody is temporarily transferred to CPS and your child will become a dependent of the court. During that time, there are several laws in place to ensure that your child’s rights are protected, which are outlined in the Foster Youth Bill of Rights.

Know Your Rights

Even while your child is under CPS custody and your case is open, you are still their parent in the eyes of the law, and you can make educational and medical decisions on behalf of your child, as long as the Juvenile Court has not limited those rights.

These rights may only be limited or terminated if:

• Your child is in legal guardianship. While in legal guardianship, your parental rights are temporarily suspended and your child’s guardian maintains parental rights.
• Your child has been freed for adoption. If your parental rights have been terminated by the court, your child has been freed for adoption and the child’s adoptive parent maintains parental rights.
• The juvenile court has explicitly restricted your parental rights, at which point a surrogate will be appointed to make specific decisions.

Incarcerated Rights

While you are incarcerated, as with all other parental rights, you will still maintain your rights, unless your rights are limited by the Juvenile Court. If you are incarcerated you will be:

• Mailed all important information, including court reports and case plan reminders.
• Transported to and from court hearings.
• Provided court-ordered visitations with your child.
• Provided opportunities to complete classes and services according to your case plan.

Visitation Rights

Visitation Resource Guide

If your child is placed in out-of-home care, you are entitled to have periodic telephone contact with your child, as long as that contact is not detrimental to your child. If it is safe for the child, in-person visits will be arranged according to your Visitation Plan, and as ordered by the Juvenile Dependency Court.

If more than one of your children needs to be placed out-of-home, CPS will work to keep siblings together. This is both easier for parents and takes less of an emotional toll on children if they can remain with their brothers and sisters. If your children are not able to be placed in the same home together, sibling visitations will also occur.

Medical Decision-Making

You hold your child’s medical rights and have the right to make medical decisions for your child. You will be contacted if your child experiences any major illness or injuries. If your child is placed outside of your home, your child’s caregiver will be permitted to seek general medical care, including physical and dental exams and immunizations. The right to make medical decisions can be limited by the Juvenile Court, and in this situation, a surrogate will be appointed by the court to make medical decisions for your child.

Educational Decision-Making

You hold your child’s educational rights and have the right to make educational decisions for your child. Your child can continue going to their school of origin and should not be moved to a new school without your consent.

Your educational rights include:

• Having your child enrolled in their school of origin following a change in their residence for the remainder of the current school year.
• Participation in the development and update of your child’s IEP.
• Knowledge of your child’s academic performance.
• Your child’s social worker and educational providers are required to ensure that your child feels safe, comfortable, and is successful in his/her/their academic settings. Your child has the right to the same educational opportunities as all students, consistent with their age and developmental level.

Your child’s educational rights include:

• A stable schooling placement that is the least restrictive for them.
• Access to academic resources, services, extracurricular, cultural, and enrichment activities.
• Opportunity to attend school regularly with minimal disruption.
• Enrollment at their school of origin following a change in their residence for the remainder of the current school year.

Several options are available to help transport your child to their school of origin:

• Their caregiver can receive a reimbursement to transport them;
• They can be issued a bus pass, if appropriate; or, their school district-of-origin can accommodate them through existing school bus routes.
• If none of these options are available, arrangements can be made to transport your child to school.

School site social workers

School social workers are not CPS employees and are available at all school sites in Kern County to ensure that your child’s rights are protected and they are receiving appropriate services while at school.

Child Placement

Having your child separated from you, even temporarily, can be traumatic and upsetting. Whenever possible, Child Protective Services (CPS) will make efforts to keep families together by working with you to find prevention programs and support services that will help keep your children safe at home with you.

Most investigations do not result in a child being separated from their family. However, if at any point during the investigation it is determined that your child is not safe in your home, the child will be placed with a relative or Resource Family, formerly known as a foster family.

CPS operates from a family-centered approach, making every effort, under court supervision, to reunite you with your child whenever possible and as quickly as possible.

Emergency Removal and Protective Custody Warrants

If it is determined that your child must be immediately separated from you because they need immediate medical care, have suffered, or may suffer serious harm, under emergency circumstances, they will be placed into protective custody by a social worker or a Law Enforcement Officer.

“Serious harm” may come to the child if any of the following occurs:

• A parent or person who has custody fails to provide proper care or supervision.
• A child is not given adequate food, shelter (home), clothing, or medical care.
• A child is suffering severe emotional damage.
• A child’s home is dangerous because of neglect, cruelty, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, or medical neglect by a parent, guardian, or someone else in the home.

When it is determined that your child needs to be separated from you, but the circumstances do not rise to the level of an emergency removal, a Social Worker or Law Enforcement officer will submit a Protective Custody Warrant to the Juvenile Court requesting the court’s permission to remove your child.

Whenever possible, your child will be placed with a responsible relative or non-related extended family member. They may also be placed in an approved Resource Family home. The address of the Resource Family home is confidential and cannot be disclosed without a court order unless the placement authorizes the disclosure. You will be given the phone number where your child can be contacted after your child has been taken into custody.

Out-of-Home Placement

All caregivers must go through the Resource Family Approval (RFA) process to ensure that they are able to safely and effectively look after the children in their care.

CPS will make every effort to ensure that siblings who must be placed in out-of-home care remain together in the same placement.

Relative Caregivers

CPS seeks to place children with a family member or a non-related adult close to the child (called a “non-related extended family member”) to provide as much stability and familiarity for your child as possible. Be sure to tell CPS about any relatives or friends who you believe are able to safely care for your child.

Jamison Center

The Jamison Children's Center is a 24-hour Temporary Shelter Care Facility, operated by the Kern County Human Services Department. As the only emergency shelter in Kern County for abused, neglected, and exploited children, Jamison Children's Center temporarily houses children who are taken into protective custody by law enforcement agencies or social workers. Children are placed in the Jamison Center on a temporary, emergency placement while a suitable out-of-home placement is located.

Resource Families

Resource Families, formerly known as foster families, are an individual or family that the county determines has successfully met the application and assessment criteria necessary for providing care for a child under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court. Resource Families have a completed background check, home environment assessment, family evaluation, and have received training in how to care for the children who are placed with them. These Resource Families are informed that they are not the child’s parent, but instead a temporary caregiver responsible for the child’s well-being while their parents are working to reunify their family.

Short Term Residential Treatment Programs

California’s Continuum of Care Reform (CCR) recommends that foster children and youth remain in a family setting while they are separated from their parents whenever possible. However, for children who require intensive support and cannot be placed in a family-based setting, STRTPs provide short-term, high-quality, intensive therapeutic intervention services. STRTPs are not considered long-term placement options. All services are designed to stabilize, support, and transition children and youth into a family setting when they are ready.

Foster Family Agencies

CPS sometimes uses licensed private Foster Family Agencies (FFAs) for the placement of children who require more intensive care as an alternative to STRTPs. FFAs are organized and operated on a non-profit basis and are engaged in the following activities: recruiting, certifying, and training caregivers, providing professional support to caregivers, and finding homes or other temporary or permanent placements for children who require more intensive care.

Family Visitation

Visitation is vital to a child maintaining family relationships and cultural connections. Visitation refers to the scheduled contact parents have with their children. Often, parents are court-ordered to have these visitations supervised or facilitated by the Department of Human Services. When your child is placed in out-of-home care, you are entitled to telephone contact with them as long as that contact is not detrimental to your child Then, if it is safe for the child, in-person visits will be arranged according to your Family Visitation Plan.

After your case is heard in Juvenile Dependency Court, the court will determine how often, and under what circumstances, you are able to visit your child while you are working toward reunification. These visits may be supervised, depending on the specifics of your case.

Your child’s Social Worker is critical in making recommendations for these visitations, so it is important to work with the Social Worker to establish and adhere to the Family Visitation Plan established early on in the process.

If you are not getting the court-ordered visitation with your child contact your attorney.

Visitation with Other Family Members

Often, family members who are not the parents of a child will request visitation or want to have visitation with a child. Efforts are made to keep children connected to their families and important people in their life prior to their removal. If a family member wants to visit a child placed in out-of-home care, contact the assigned Social Worker to further discuss visitation options and develop a family visitation plan.

When a teen parent in foster care has custody of his or her non-dependent child, the court can only order visits between the teen parent, their parent(s) and appropriate family members. A dependent teen parent who has custody of their non-dependent child is the only person who has the right to make visitation decisions regarding the non-dependent child.

Visitation while Incarcerated

Visitation will be provided to incarcerated parents if you are incarcerated in a California Department of Corrections Facility or a Kern County Detention Facility. Incarcerated visits will be provided according to the visitation order made by the Juvenile Court.

Visitation Facilities

The Department of Human Services hosts the majority of scheduled visits at the following locations.

Social Services Building
Social Services Lobby
100 E. California Ave
Bakersfield, CA 93302

• Visits that occur in the Social Services building:
  • Private in-door visits
  • Designated rooms with couches
  • Bathroom accessibility
  • No water or kitchen access
  • All visits can be supervised from an adjacent room

Children’s Visitation Center (CVC)
420 Alpine Street
Bakersfield, CA 93302

• Visits that occur in the Children’s Visitation Center:
  • In-door and out-door visits available
  • Designated rooms with couches
  • Bathroom accessibility
  • Water or kitchen access with a refrigerator, oven, and microwave.

Other facilities or locations may be utilized for family visitations and visitation locations should be discussed with the assigned Social Worker.

Comfort Calls

Comfort calls are telephone calls intended to maintain and build the parent-child bond and establish a relationship between the caregivers and the bio parent/adult receiving services. Comfort Calls do not take the place of any court-ordered visitation including phone visits. Comfort calls are facilitated through the primary Social Worker and are phone calls that are focused on respectful and appropriate telephone communication about the child and their well-being, not about allegations or case specifics. These comfort calls are not court-ordered and the frequency and duration of these calls will be determined by what is in the best interest of the child and the availability of the child and Resource Parent.

For additional information on visitation please refer to the Family Visitation Guide.

Path to Reunification

After your child is placed out-of-home, your caseworker will help you develop a Family Reunification plan with clear goals, a visitation schedule, and other steps you must take for the court to determine that your child can safely live with you.

It is very important to follow the case plan developed for you and your family. You will need to comply with all court orders, follow the advice of your attorney, attend all the programs and services and report your progress in the programs to your social worker and attorney. The faster you complete the programs and demonstrate behavioral changes, the faster your child may be returned to your physical care.

Court Proceedings

Navigating your case with CPS can be hectic and stressful. However, there are resources to help guide you through the process.

If the social worker assigned to your case determines there is credible evidence of maltreatment or neglect, they will file a petition with the Kern County Juvenile Dependency Court on behalf of your child. At that point, the court will place your child under its jurisdiction, and they may become a dependent of the court.

Legal Representation

When a case is overseen by the Juvenile Court, your child will be assigned an attorney to represent them in court proceedings. You also have the right to have an attorney advise and represent you at all court hearings, and an attorney will be assigned to you at the first court hearing. You may also choose to retain an attorney of your choosing to represent you.

Know Your Rights

Even if your child is in CPS custody while your case is open, you are still their parent in the eyes of the law, and you maintain parental rights.

You have the right to an interpreter in court if you do not understand English.

If you become incarcerated at any point, always keep in touch with your social worker and attorney. Your Social Worker does accept collect calls. Keep them advised of your housing location and programs you are enrolled in while incarcerated as well as your release date.

Court Hearings

Initial Petition Hearing

One day after the social worker files the petition, the Initial Petition Hearing is held. This is the first time that the Juvenile Court will consider your child’s case.

Your attendance and participation in all court hearings are very important! If you do not attend this or any of the court hearings, the court may go ahead without you and you may miss the chance to be heard.

You will be informed of the date, time, and place of the hearing by the CPS social worker assigned to your case. You will also be asked to provide the court with your permanent mailing address so that you may receive notice of the date, time, and place of all future court hearings.

Mediation

Before the Jurisdictional/Dispositional hearings, mediation will be scheduled. Mediation is the opportunity for a parent or legal guardian to meet with a Mediator from the Juvenile Court and the assigned Court Social Worker to discuss the Jurisdictional/Dispositional reports and address any worries before the hearings.

Jurisdiction Hearings

At the Jurisdictional hearing, the Judge will determine if the allegations are determined to be true or not. If any of the allegations are determined to be true the child(ren) will be declared a Dependent Child of the Court (DCC).

Disposition Hearing & Ruling

At the disposition hearing, the court will consider a written report from the social worker and any other evidence and argument offered by any party. You are entitled to receive and read the written report before the hearing.

The court will then decide if your child should remain in/return to your home, the home of the other parent, or be placed in the home of a relative, a resource home, or formally known as a foster home or another type of placement.

At that point, your case will normally fall into one of three categories:

Family Maintenance
Your child will remain at home with one or both parents, however, you may be court-ordered to complete required training or services. CPS will work with you to develop safety plans and connect you with support services and resources.

Family Reunification
Your child will be temporarily placed out-of-home, away from parents, either in foster care or with a relative caregiver. CPS will then work with you to develop a reunification plan and connect you with services so that you may work toward being reunited with your child.

Family Reunification Services Not Offered
Your child will continue to be placed out-of-home, away from parents, either in foster care or with a relative caregiver. CPS will not provide a court-ordered reunification plan for the parent/s and will be working with your child to develop a permanent plan for your child’s care. During this time you can continue to participate in counseling and classes but the Social Worker may not be working directly with you to provide those services.

It is important to remember that if you have an open investigation with CPS, you have the right to talk with the social worker assigned to your case or your attorney at any time. Navigating this process can be stressful and confusing, and these individuals can be useful resources.

Review Hearings

Review hearings will be scheduled every 6 months. Review hearings allow the court the opportunity to acknowledge your hard work, review your compliance with court orders and determine if children who are in placement can safely return home. If your children are in your home, the court may determine when your dependency case can be closed.

CPS will mail you a copy of the report and notice for every review hearing. It is important to always provide the Court and CPS with your current mailing address.

Rehearing/Appellate Rights

You have the right to request a rehearing regarding any orders made by a referee or commissioner. Whether a judge, commissioner, or referee heard your case, you have the right to have the Court of Appeal review certain orders. You should consult with your attorney regarding this right.

Case Records

Records related to the abuse or neglect of children generated by CPS and the Juvenile Court are confidential.

Parents, current and former and foster youth, their attorneys, and others who are eligible may request copies of case records.

To obtain court records, complete a request for CPS records form. You can obtain records if they relate to you or your children.

Return the Request for CPS Records form to Kern County Department of Human Services Attention: Caseload 2261 PO box 511 Bakersfield, Ca 93302.

For more information on court-ordered services, including a link to the resource directory, visit Court-Ordered Services.

Relative Caregiver Resources

Whether you are a grandparent, an aunt or uncle, an older sibling, other family members, or a family friend, becoming a caregiver to a child is a big undertaking! CPS is committed to ensuring that families feel well-equipped to tackle any challenges that may arise from providing care to a member of their family.

About Relative Caregiving

Kern County Child Protective Services operates from a family-centered approach, understanding that it can be emotionally difficult for a child to be separated from their parents. When a child must be removed from their home, CPS makes every attempt to place children with a family member or a non-related adult close to the child (“non-relative extended family member”) to provide as much stability and familiarity for the child as possible.

The resources below are only available to relative caregivers. However, relative caregivers also have access to most Foster Parent Resources offered by CPS.

Emergency Placements

In many instances, relatives are asked to care for a family member’s child because of emergency situations. If you receive a call from CPS about placing a family member in your care, here are some things to expect:

• An in-home inspection
• Criminal records check
• Check for prior child abuse or neglect
• Begin the Resource Family approval process
• Verification of Relative or Non-Relative Extended Family Member

Requesting Placement of a Child

If a child in your family or extended family is currently living in foster care and you would like them to be placed with you, you may request a placement through the following process:

1. Inform the social worker
2. Begin the RFA Process (If you reside out of the county or out of state please inform the social worker)
3. Attend the child’s court hearing

Financial Assistance

When a child is placed in your home, you may be qualified to receive financial assistance to care for the child. If you are not yet approved as a Resource Family but a child has been placed in your home, you may be eligible to receive temporary funding, or until you are approved.

If you are not receiving funding or are receiving the wrong amount of funding, please call your RFA social worker.

Relative Support Services

If you are a relative caregiver or non-relative extended family member who could use some extra support, there are community organizations in your area that can help. These organizations can provide services to help you better meet the needs of the children in your care. Some of these services include:

• Support Groups
• Education, Support, and Training
• Child Care Referrals
• Respite Care Referrals
• Tutoring Referrals
• Legal Assistance Referrals
• Food and Clothing Referrals
• Outdoor & Recreational activities & special events
• General Counseling
• Financial Assistance
• Help with CPS questions

See our list of resources.

Family Urgent Response System (FURS)

FURS is a coordinated statewide, regional, and county-level system designed to provide collaborative and timely state-level phone-based response and county-level in-home, in-person mobile response during situations of instability, to preserve the relationship of the caregiver and the child or youth.

Contact FURS:

• Telephone: 833-939-3877
• Website: Cal-FURS
• Email: info@cal-furs.org