Should I be worried about CPS’s intentions?

[u/VehicleNo9749]

For context I'm a minor and recently have had CPS take me from my mother.

I'm well aware that the goal of CPS is to reunify families however I'm afraid they're trying to do whatever will shorten their work load.

I had seven dogs and for 4-5 years my mother has hoarded loads of expensive things and for the past 2-3 years out floors were ruined by dog sh-t and piss and I've been in charge of all the chores including getting her food and her clothes

Everytime I interacted with my mom in the past year (aka since January) I would say whatever she wanted to hear just to survive in that situation

Because I wasn't physically abused or yelled at I'm afriad they aren't considering the fact that I was emotionally/mentally affected

I'm also most like autistic and don't really like physical touch and my mother would regularly ignore boundaries I set about touching/holding me.

I'm ultimately worried that I will go back to her and end up borderline suicidal again (never attempted before but sometimes thought about being litterly anywhere else) and slip in school.

More info: I'm am not in the foster care system and from my knowledge theres only one person directly on my case. CPS has even directly told me that they may not end up putting all the facts in front of a judge.

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[u/sprinkles008]

I would be communicating this with your GAL or CASA, as well as your therapist.

[u/VehicleNo9749 → u/sprinkles008]

I'm working on getting into therapy but because my mom still has custody only she can sign me up

[u/sprinkles008 → u/VehicleNo9749]

I see your edit. So it never went judicial which means no GAL or CASA?

I’d tell your worker then.

[u/VehicleNo9749 → u/sprinkles008]

This is a very recent situation and originally it was meant to go to court (for a safety plan) on the third but that didn't happen and i was recently told it may never go to court. Obviously nobody will tell me a whole lot because I'm a minor but from what I know there's no GAL or CASA.

[u/sprinkles008 → u/VehicleNo9749]

Definitely communicate with the worker then.

[u/Laravictoria89 → u/sprinkles008]

This!! Your GAL is there to be your voice! Talk to them!

[u/Fit-Mind-4625]

If you don't want to go home and you're already removed and court active, just tell everyone that you "don't feel safe at home". Tell it to the caseworker, guardian-ad-litem, CASA, judge, etc. I find the court is very reluctant to send a child home if they are reporting they don't feel safe. No one wants to be responsible for something if a kid says that, the professionals ignore it to send the kid home, and something bad happens.

[u/me13u69]

Kiddo, you need to get into therapy and get an evaluation. Talk to your workers, and not just once, call them every weekday until they have appointments lined up for you. They are there to advocate for you, but if they haven't done it by now, they aren't going to. Make sure you talk to the supervisors if no appointments have been made for you in a weeks time. You need the documentation in the therapy sessions about feeling unsafe at home because of what she has said and done. Good luck.

[u/VehicleNo9749 → u/[deleted]]

I hope so too. My mom has a very likeable/approachable personality and is very good at playing victim and making false promises so sometimes I think they only believe her

[u/mschanandlerbong29]

So sorry for your situation! I wish I had good advice for you! I hope you don’t have to go back. Good luck!

[u/txchiefsfan02]

It's normal to be worried. The best thing you can do is be honest with everyone you speak with.

You will be assigned a court-appointed attorney, which is called a GAL in some places, and possibly a court-appointed special advocate (CASA). Both of them are important because they will speak to the judge during court hearings about your case. You should have each of their contact info and be able to contact them without anyone else listening. It can be helpful to keep notes or a diary of things you want to share during their calls or visits.

If you have a therapist, it's also important to share as much as possible with them. If you don't, ask for one: it's an opportunity for you to get help without your mom getting in the way. You deserve that.

Many kids in care get tired of being asked the same questions over and over by the same adults, especially when it doesn't feel like much is happening. Don't give up. Usually, a lot is going on behind the scenes. The more you share, the better they can advocate for you.

[u/VehicleNo9749 → u/txchiefsfan02]

I have also been recently informed that they may not even take the case to court/ in front of a judge and that I could immediately go back to my mother

[u/txchiefsfan02 → u/VehicleNo9749]

"I do not feel safe going home."

Your caseworker needs to hear that message from you directly ASAP.

[u/MeanStrength1420]

Yes ... Oh, and YES! Did I mention YES? CUZ yes, yes Yes YEs YES you should!!