Vol. 7, No. 1• November 2002

When Investigated, Don't Assume . . .

“I will automatically lose my license.”
Only after a case decision has been made is it possible to determine whether the family foster home will remain licensed and available to receive children.

“If I give all the children back to the agency it will close the investigation.”
All aspects of the investigative assessment must be completed once a CPS report is accepted for investigative assessment. Once initiated, both law and N.C. administrative code require that investigative assessments be thorough. It is not possible to meet this requirement if components of an investigative assessments are omitted.

“All the children will be removed from my home, including my biological children.”
Removal of a child from the foster home is not an automatic step. Removal of the child occurs only when CPS believes that the risk of harm to the child is greater than the positive strengths of that child’s relationship to the placement providers.

“The agency that licensed me will investigate.”
It is North Carolina policy that CPS investigations of foster families be conducted by a department of social services other than the foster care licensing agency as a means to avoid conflict of interest.

Source: N.C. Division of Social Services. (2002). Investigative assessment in out-of-home living arrangements. In N.C. Division of Social Services Children’s Services Manual. Online <http://info.dhhs.state.nc.us/olm/manuals/dss/csm-60/man/CS1416-01.htm#P49_8964>

Copyright � 2002 Jordan Institute for Families