Episode 43: Mandated Reporters: What Happens after CPS is Called?

Mandated reporters…you have a power that must be wielded responsibly. A knock on the door from CPS can change everything for a family. Mandated reporters are in a special position where they are required by law to report suspected abuse or neglect. But what happens when training is sporadic, there is no real understanding or grappling of poverty versus neglect, and the policy is “when in doubt report?” Families become unnecessarily involved in a system that was never designed to care for children or families who only needed support. But let me be clear-I am not a proponent of abolishing or ending the family and child welfare system. I’ve represented hundreds of families and there are legitimate situations where the state should be involved, but that’s not all or even most foster care cases. As I think about my time in courtroom, with the agency, and now I see opportunities to change how we work with families.   What about you?    Check out the YouTube video as well: https://youtu.be/JpbX9jE1a9s    #mandatedreporter #cps #fostercare #poverty #neglect   Thank you for watching! My hope is that these conversations make us think deeper about ways to serve families better. 📬 Join the SYNCing Child Welfare Newsletter for practical tools, encouragement, and resources: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/gsyfk6n/syncpodcast