Child Protective Services (CPS) is a governmental agency responsible for the welfare of children, tasked with investigating reports of child abuse and neglect, and providing services to ensure their safety. It operates under a legal framework that prioritizes the best interests of the child while balancing family preservation and intervention when necessary.

Child Protective Services

Governmental agency

Welfare of children

Investigating reports of child abuse

Neglect refers to the failure to provide necessary care, assistance, or attention to individuals or responsibilities, often resulting in harm or adverse outcomes. It can manifest in various forms, including physical, emotional, educational, or medical neglect, and is a critical issue in fields such as child welfare, elder care, and mental health.

Neglect

Providing services

Safety is the condition of being protected from harm or other non-desirable outcomes, often achieved through preventive measures and risk management. It encompasses a wide range of disciplines, including engineering, psychology, and public health, to ensure the well-being of individuals and communities.

Safety

A legal framework is a structured set of legal principles, rules, and regulations that govern the operation of a society, organization, or system. It ensures order, justice, and predictability by providing guidelines for behavior and mechanisms for resolving disputes.

Legal Framework

The 'best interests of the child' is a legal and ethical principle that prioritizes the well-being and developmental needs of children in all decision-making processes affecting them. It serves as a guiding standard in family law, child custody cases, and child welfare policies to ensure that children's rights and welfare are upheld above all other considerations.

Best Interests Of The Child

Family Preservation is a social work practice aimed at keeping families together by providing support services to prevent the unnecessary removal of children from their homes. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining family integrity and prioritizes interventions that strengthen family bonds and address underlying issues contributing to familial distress.

Family Preservation

Intervention is a deliberate process or action taken to improve a situation, address a problem, or influence an outcome in various fields such as healthcare, education, and social policy. It involves strategic planning and implementation to achieve desired changes or prevent negative consequences.

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