Details

Agency Name: Child Protective Services
Agency Name 2: Washington State Department of Children, Youth, & Families
Address: 1949 South State Street
City: Tacoma
State: WA
Zip Code: 98405
Phone Number: (253) 983-6200 (800) 562-5624 (after hours)
TTY: (253) 593-5149
Fax: (253) 593-5066
Website: https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/services/child-welfare-system/cps
Description: Child Protective Services is a state agency that investigates reports of child abuse and neglect. Child safety is the first concern of Child Protective Services. They will work with both parents to safely care for their child. CPS can also go to court to remove a child from the parents' care if necessary to protect the child. CPS files a "dependency petition" with the court if it believes that the child has been abused or neglected or is at risk of harm and must be removed from the mother and/or father's care. This begins a court process called a dependency case. At the court hearings, the CPS worker and both the mother and the father can provide information to the court. The judge or commissioner decides issues such as where the child should live, what services are needed to support the family and/or return the child to his or her mother or father and how often visits between the parents and child should occur.