Child Protective Services Job

Has anybody ever worked in this field?

I was considering taking a civil service exam and going into a training program. It would be a decent start in my my field, but I worry about what I may be exposed to.

My question is would I be able to handle to see neglected and abused children? Not that I have been abused in the terms of abuse, more like deprived of love when I was a child. It wouldn't be an issue based on that but one based on the fact that I have my own babies and have taken another child into my home that has endured entirely to much for such few years.

What type of attitude fits the CPS worker?

i have often thought about working in that field. it takes a lot of strength. i am sure from some of the horror stories that make the news and stories i have heard from other people that you would have to be able to disconnect and go home. if your empathy was too strong you would never be able to stand it. but at the same time, it is definatly a field where empathy is required. i have taken in several teenagers at different times who need love and a safe place to live, never officiallty a foster mom though. i would try fostering first, to get a taste of wether you can deal with the emotions.

i think you could do it
you just have to be able to care

I don't know what type of civil service exam you're taking and why. Generally one gets an MSW degree http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos060.htm and then there are all sorts of jobs available in the field.

If it's specific training for a specific job, they'd probably be able to tell you what the job entails more than a "generic" CPS title? If it's third party training, I'd check and make sure it's accredited and there are jobs, etc.

I'd look at specific jobs in your area and do what they say to get the job rather than third party stuff?

http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/ComeWorkForUs/default.asp#

http://www.dcyf.state.ri.us/jobs/chi...vestigator.php

My Mom was telling me there in such desperation of workers right now that they were doing accelerated training programs and getting people on the road within a few months, plus I already have my college knowledge and one of the best references.

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Employee performs in a training capacity for approximately one year learning the techniques of social casework in the area of Child Protective Services. Work is characterized by cases involving abuse/neglect/exploitation of children. The nature of the situations requires judgment to deal with problems that are potentially dangerous to the client and the worker. Work requires the use of personal automobile for extensive travel. May be subject to being on-call during non-business hours and must be available or be accessible by telephone. Requires extensive training to be fully accountable for a high volume of demanding and time-restricted cases.

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From: http://tinyurl.com/3qoca5

I don't think I could take the intensity and travel, etc. They don't let you know much about the test you have to take either, what they test on.

I came across that today too. My Mom didn't tell me all that, I don't think she knew or something. With gas the way it is, and how chaotic my life is, it would never work.

That's too bad.

I have a suggestion for you....this would help you decide if in the future you think you would want to get into that line of work or not.

There is an organization called CASA - Court Appointed Special Advocates. You could call them and look into becoming a GAL (Guardian Ad Litem) for abused/neglected children. It is a volunteer position and you would be assigned to a case by CASA when they get the call from the Courts about a child in need of services. You will be trained to handle the cases. What you would be doing is advocating for the child's rights in court. This means writing court reports, interviewing the child, making sure the child has everything they need (schooling, clothing, medical/therapy appts/befriending the child etc). You would be speaking to the judge, listening to the state's attys and the parents attys and helping the judge to make the best decision for the children.

It can be difficult on the heart....but so very rewarding to know that a helpless child is being looked after in the best way possible through a very difficult time. It usually means spending about 10-15 hours per month and being available for court dates and appts. You would be supervised through each case and get help with writing the court reports etc.

It's a wonderful organization. I'm looking to get back into it myself soon.

http://www.casanet.org/


sabby

Basically it's taking a caseload no human can handle, placing the lives of already flagged endangered children into your hands. It is also following up on referrals by well intentioned (and some not so) public and determining if a child is the victim of any of the 4 types of abuse, and thus making decisions about whether to remove the child or press for education and therapy etc and of course, all the paperwork that is required.

A friend... went into this.. but quit.. because.. a gun was pulled on her..... when she made a home visit... was to stressful....

Whatever you decide to do...I wish you the best of luck!

Let me offer you another perspective....that from a former Foster Kid.

I grew up in the foster care system and had alot of contact with CPS workers, because technically they are supposed to meet with their cases at least once a month.

Some CPS workers were wonderful. These were the ones who told me the truth, were reliable, listened to me, helped get me what I needed, and showed up at least monthly.

The crappy workers dumped me off at a foster home and I could not get in contact with them, barely heard from them, never knew what was happening, and they never made a visit.

The burn-out rate is high. So kids get new workers all the time. This really affects us. So, when workers leave, they have an affect on the kids...and most don't care. They just are tired and done.

It is a VERY difficult job. You will have a large case-load 17-20 cases. The kids are tough. They come from terrible situations and all they want is to go home. All I wanted was to go home, no matter how bad it was.
The kids have behavioral problems, ranging from simple things like cursing to severe problems like sexual acting out.

There are not enough foster homes, so it takes alot of work to find a place . And for the more difficult kids, it can take ALOT.

Do you love kids?
Do you want to help kids who have nothing else?
Can you be reliable and trustworthy?
Can you listen to the good and the bad?
Can you recognize that the kids are only reacting to the circumstances that they were raised in?
Can you deal with seeing bruises and skinny kids?
Can you deal with low pay and long hours?

If you answered yes to the above, go for it. To this day, I send cards to 2 workers I had because they helped change my life, by just caring, listening and fighting for the best for me.

It is a very hard but very rewarding job. You can touch a kid's life more than you know.

PM me if you want more details.

I have to say you have some good answers here. I have seen horrendous workers with no ehtics or professionalism. It is not a job to be taken lightly and I fear that the best tool is extensive training and education. I think that with the experience and training one is more likely to be able to maintain professional conduct. I hope you find what you are looking for but I guess I would say the price of a job such as this is very high. I would not take it lightly.