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Understanding Your Rights
Parental Rights Basics
a.) Constitutional Rights:
Parents have the constitutional right to raise
their children. Child Services can only intervene
when there's evidence of harm or imminent
danger.
Your Rights Include:
Right to legal representation
Right to be notified of hearings and/or meetings
Rightto visit your child unless specifically restricted
Right to appeall decisions
Right to request information about your chil
Important Terms to Know
📕Documentation Tips
Keep a detailed journal or binder that includes the following:
Date and time of every interaction and the type of interaction (phone, email, etc.
Names and titles/roles of everyone you speak with
What was said and by whom
Any promises made or instructions given
Your observations, concerns, or questions you may have
📓What to Document:
✅ All phone calls (who, when, what was discussed
✅ All visits (supervised or unsupervised (dates, times, name, agency/role, etc.
✅ All court dates and what happened
✅ Every service you complete (classes, therapy/counseling, drug screens)
✅ Any concerning information about your child's placement
✅ Your efforts to maintain contact
✅ Any barriers to reunification
📓How to Organize:
Use a dedicated notebook or digital document
Make copies/backups of everything
Send copies to a relative or friend as a safe backup
Keep all paperwork in a safe place
Take photos/screenshots/videos of important documents as backup
📓Communitcation Tips:
Follow up verbal convserations with email summarizing what was discussed
Request everything in writing when possible, and also request a copy of everything for your own records
Save all texts, emails, letters
Record phone calls if legal in your state (check your state's laws first)
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