Whathappensifyourchildis

removedfromyour home?

The Santa Clara County Department of Family and Children’s Services recognizes that this may be a difficult time for you and hopes that by providing the following information, parents, whose children are removed from their care, will have some basic information about the what has happened and what to expect over the next few days.

Color-Cream #490950 / SCZ183
Staples / What happens if your child is taken from your home? Information Guide & Contact info card – 01/2015
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Whathappensifyourchildis

removedfromyour home?

Whywasmychildremovedfromme?

Someonemadeareportaboutyourchild'ssafety.Toprotectyourchild,apoliceofficerorsocialworkerhas:

  • Removedyourchildoutofyourhome,and
  • Askedthecourttogetinvolvedinthiscaseto protectyourchild.

Whereismychildnow?

Yourchildmaybeatour Receiving Center or in temporaryfosterhome.

How can I find out more about what is happening?

If you have not been contacted by the assigned social worker within one business day (Monday-Friday) of the child being removed from your care please call (408)501-6400.

Willmychildbereturnedtomesoon?

Itdepends.Asocialworkerwillreviewyourhome situationanddecidehowbesttokeepyourchildsafe.

Ifyourchildis notreturnedhomebeforeyougotocourt, yourchildmaybesenttemporarilytostaywith:

  • Yourchild'sotherlegalparent(ifyoudonotlive together),
  • Arelativeorextendedfamilymember,or
  • Afosterparent.

Do I havetheright totrytogetmychildback?

Yes.Youhavetherightto:

  • Alawyer.(Thecourtwillgiveyononeifyoucannot affordone.)
  • Takepartinallcourthearingsaboutyourchild.
  • Haveaninterpreterincourtifyoudonotspeak

Englishwell.

  • Refusetoanswerquestionsthatcouldleadto criminalchargesagainstyou.

Tellyourlawyerifyouhavequestionsaboutyourrightsoraboutwhathappensincourt.

Doesmychildhaverights,too?

Yes.Yourchildhasthesamerightsthatyouhave.Your childwillhaveadifferentlawyerwhowill:

  • Tellthecourtwhatthechildwants,and
  • Askthecourttodowhatisbestforthechild.

Canmychildbeplacedwithrelatives?

Yes.Youmustgivethesocialworkernamesandcontact informationforyourchild'sotherlegalparentand relativeswhomaybeabletocareforyourchild.The socialworkerwillcontactthemtoseeiftheirhomeis availableandsafeforyourchild.

Howwill Iknowwhentogotocourt?

The assigned social worker will tell you thetime,date,andlocationof the first courthearing.

Important!Thecourtandthesocialworkerwillmailyou

manyimportantdocuments.Ifyourmailingaddress changes,tellyoursocialworkerrightaway.

Whattoexpect over the next few days?

1. Afteryourchildistakenfromyourhome,asocial workerhas2fullworkingdays(Monday through Friday)todecideif your childissafewithyou.Ifthesocialworkerthinks yourchildisnotsafewithyou,sheorhewill:

  • TakeaPetitiontoaspecialcourtforchildren

(JuvenileCourt),and

  • Askthecourttobeinchargeofyourchild'scare, custody,andsupervision.

Important!ReadthePetition.Itliststhereasons (allegations)yourchildisnotsafeinyourhome.If youdonotunderstandit,askyourlawyer.

2.Thecourthas1fullworkingdaytoholda detention hearing.Thishearingwill decide:

  • Toreturnthechildtoyourightaway,or
  • Wherethechildwillstayfornowandhowyou canvisithimorher.
Color-Cream #490950 / SCZ183
Staples / What happens if your child is taken from your home? Information Guide & Contact info card – 01/2015
Page 1 of 3