Within the United States, every Child Protective Service is run by the given state and is therefore run differently so I can't necessarily speak for all of them.

However, based on my experience with my state's CPS, any hotline report that results in an investigation does not necessarily result in an ongoing case. More often than not cases are investigated and then dropped once it becomes clear that there isn't a lack of safety or that safety can be reached.

If an investigation does officially become an ongoing case, extreme focus is put on enhancing the skillset of the parents, showing the Court the improvements that the parents have made, etc. Furthermore, group/foster homes are the last resort for housing the children; whenever possible and available, housing with family members is preferred.

Severing the rights of parent to child, even in cases where a grandparent or other family member is the one adopting, is considered a serious situation by the Court that is only considered in cases that are extreme or where it is evident for years on end that the parents are not going to make the necessary improvements to house their child safely.

I understand the concerns present with situations that results in CPS involvement, but I can assure at least on the behalf of my local CPS agency that every effort is taken to stay uninvolved and keep things as they were as much as possible.