The Family & Children's Services Child Protective Services (CPS) provides protection for children who are at risk of or are victims of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, or emotional or physical neglect, with a focus on the safety of the child and support for parents to strengthen families and promote safe nurturing homes for children.

We screen for and investigate reports of abuse, neglect, or harm, assess for safety and risk, and provides families with referrals to community resources. We also provide supportive services to children and families in their homes, provide out-of-home placement and permanency planning when necessary, and provide services to help foster youth transition into adulthood. Child protective services also provides educational workshops and trainings on identifying and preventing commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC), and how to engage/work with CSEC. We also provide trauma-informed care trainings to child care providers.

Learn more: https://www.santacruzhumanservices.org/FamilyChildren/ChildProtectiveServices/WhatisChildProtectiveServices