In cases of abuse or neglect, DFPS may intervene by removing children from their homes to ensure immediate safety. The courts are mandated to explore temporary placements with relatives, prompting parents to provide DFPS with contact information for potential caregivers among their family members.
During the placement process, the court prioritizes the needs of the children. A Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) conference is often convened, where all involved parties recommend a specific family member or friend as the best caregiver for the child. Following this, a court-ordered placement may occur, typically after DFPS conducts a home assessment to verify its safety and appropriateness for the child. Whenever possible, CPS takes the parents’ preferences into consideration. If placement with a kin caregiver isn’t available or suitable, the child may then be temporarily housed in foster care.
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