Some Positive Steps
in
Handling an Allegation
Our background and our circumstances may
have influenced who we are,
but we are responsible for who we become.
Appropriate
Behavior
Keeping Your Cool
-
Information
needed.
- Copy
of allegation in writing
- List
of legal rights
- Agency
procedures and policies
- Copy
of laws and rules
- State
licensing regulations
- Agency
or state foster parent agreement
- Knowledge
of experienced professionals
- Support
system
- Assume
you can work your way through this.
- Do not make social services or the police
mad.
- If CPS or
the police take the child, or you are charged with any crime against a
child, you need to retain a competent lawyer.
- If you
have a private doctor or psychologist, have them examine the child if you
are ordered to have the child examined by a doctor not of your choosing.
- Check out prepaid legal service providers.
Find an attorney knowledgeable in child protection and allegation
issues. You shouldn't have to pay to train a person for your legal
defense.
- If
you don't know ask.
- Tape record all conversations
with social services and the police - make them aware that YOU ARE tape
recording and get their permission on the tape. If you do not have a
tape recorder, make sure that you have a reliable witness at all
meetings, interviews, and telephone conversations.
- After all meetings,
interviews, and telephone calls, write a certified letter (keep a copy)
to the person with whom you spoke. List the main points discussed and
end the letter,
- Be
respectful and deal with business in a business-like manner.
- If you did nothing
wrong, DO NOT plea bargain (including no-fault). A plea bargains seem
like the easy way out, but is really only the beginning of a nightmare
for you and your family.
- Find
support services. Join
you foster parent, day care providers or adoption association. There is
strength in numbers. The association will most likely have experienced
allegation survivors who are willing to talk to you.
- Write letters to
your caseworker's supervisor, CPS director, county or state supervising
agency--anyone who has responsibility to provide proper services. If you
do not get a satisfactory response, contact your legislators and news
service.
- Know your rights. This is very important, if you expect to win. Learn as much as possible
about the laws in your state and the requirements social services must
fulfill to receive their funding (for example, avoid placement of
children in foster care and reunite the family as quickly as
possible).
- Be
honest.
- Be
patient.
Regardless of how you are treated - treat the professionals you are working with in the way you wish you are to be treated.
DOCUMENT | BEHAVIOR | INFORMATION | LEGAL SUPPORT |
