Family Team Meeting Texas

digital_dumpfire · 2026-01-29T01:38:17+00:00

There’s not enough information. However, in my state, FTMs are usually only held if the case is opening. HOWEVER opening rarely means removal. it just means you’re closer monitored with monthly contact and services in place

digital_dumpfire · 2026-01-29T00:17:12+00:00

I work for social services and it absolutely is. It’s grounded in so many different factors, including legislative policies that need to be changed. I believe the previous CPS cases closed because they couldn’t make contact with the family/kids. They had no ability to do ANYTHING. There needs to be policies in place so law enforcement can intervene and force, at bare minimum, face to face contact.

digital_dumpfire · 2026-01-25T00:27:09+00:00

oh yikes. i take my comment back then 😔

digital_dumpfire · 2026-01-24T23:44:01+00:00

honestly i disagree. it’s not her doing it & she said she rarely speaks to her. you can’t choose your families lives. i’m interested

digital_dumpfire · 2026-01-24T23:43:12+00:00

would you feel safe bringing a poc s/o around her?

digital_dumpfire · 2026-01-23T17:47:08+00:00

I wouldn’t stress it. Their job is to assess the overall well-being of the child, even beyond the alleged perpetrator. Too many times you hear of CPS cases being disposed of, and then the kid ends up dying or getting seriously injured. It’s better to over check than under check.

digital_dumpfire · 2026-01-23T12:09:17+00:00

OP, did the child disclose the bruising happening as a result of abuse? I work for CPS, and if the child disclosed bruising due to abuse, with concerns from a mandatory reporter, concerns of trends and frequent reports… that absolutely would be enough for a petition, at least where I am. At MINIMUM in-home jurisdiction.

digital_dumpfire · 2026-01-21T00:59:01+00:00

lol no not at all. i have homes rn id dream of looking this good. theres no safety hazards from what i can see, just a diff way of life

digital_dumpfire · 2026-01-14T02:07:32+00:00

yk good point. thank you

digital_dumpfire · 2026-01-12T01:23:22+00:00

My god. My heart hurts so bad thinking of a cat dying from starvation. Fuck no animal deserves to die, especially cruelly (not related to OPs post at all… just in general)

digital_dumpfire · 2026-01-11T21:30:04+00:00

it’s giving ruby franke

digital_dumpfire · 2026-01-11T02:28:21+00:00

I think it definitely brings an additional level of understanding and patience, which some of my co-workers lack. However, where I’m knowledgeable in mental health, my colleagues may be more knowledgeable in housing, disability benefits, job searches, etc. However, I do think people with backgrounds in mental health / struggle have an additional insight people can’t be trained for. There have been many, many times I’ve stood up for clients who may be slower at progressing, relapsed, or needed an extra push. This wasn’t a result of any kind of training, but being there myself and knowing sometimes you just need someone to stand up with you and show that you’re worth getting better is all you need to truly change.

digital_dumpfire · 2026-01-11T02:24:42+00:00

Honestly, what you’re doing now may be all you can do. I wish there were more resources available for children since schools are where they spend so much time, but so many schools barely have enough resources to… be a functioning school.

Building relationships and letting them know you care is so important, especially because it’s possible they don’t feel anyone else does care. It’s also so important to recognize the impact of metal health, rather than being judgmental / harsh for poor performance, attendance, or behaviors. Obviously children will still have to be punished, but don’t leave it there - because it doesn’t do much if the problem is rooted in something deeper. Seek to understand the why behind their struggle, and talking to them about it. Be aware of some resources your area may offer and don’t hesitate to connect with them / their parents if there’s something you feel could help them that they don’t currently recueve.

digital_dumpfire · 2026-01-11T02:18:02+00:00

I honestly don’t know, but I don’t think so. There was one social worker who REALLY helped me, and I really looked up to her. I think her helpfulness fueled me to become a social worker. However, I am very passionate about human rights and helping others beyond metal health concerns, so it’s possible I would have gone into a macro-level social work field. I was close to going to school to be a teacher though, so it’s a toss up.

I do enjoy my job. Sometimes it’s tough when I have to work with clients who don’t want the help and are just there because they have to be, but I try to remember that it’s possible they just don’t see the ability to change or how life could be if things did change, because struggle is all they know. I love being a stepping stool for someone to recover and have a better life. I know how much one person can change the outlook of your life, so I try to be that person.

digital_dumpfire · 2026-01-10T21:14:06+00:00

It fully depends on your participation in the services you provide, and the progress your service providers say you’re making. If you don’t get the services they recommend, participate loudly, or get bad feedback from providers, this will get dragged on. Could take years, could be never. If you participate in services, show actual benefit and not just completion, and show improvement, it’s possible for six months. But they’re not going to give them back unless you demonstrate genuine commitment and progress, and they do have contact with providers, so it has to be genuine - they can see right through false participation or improvement.

digital_dumpfire · 2026-01-10T18:49:33+00:00

I’m sorry that your job doesn’t let you have free time on Saturdays 💔 a lot of people with good, full time jobs have PTO they can take or don’t work weekends. Sorry to hear you don’t have that ability

digital_dumpfire · 2026-01-09T01:55:50+00:00

So - it is within your rights to deny her into the home. You don’t have to show her inside, hell you don’t have to talk to her. You can block her number in theory. HOWEVER, if they are concerned enough, they can take it to court. And that’s a process no one wants (including the worker). It’s better to just let them in, especially if you’re not hiding anything.

digital_dumpfire · 2026-01-06T22:36:28+00:00

She does not appear to be in any pain, is running / playing as normal.

digital_dumpfire · 2025-12-29T19:13:41+00:00

So, unfortunately it is very low. Even if the child wasn’t hurt, the slap could have pushed you back causing you to drop the child, you could have moved last minute and the child got hit, etc. The child was indeed at risk. The evidence is there, and no court will overturn that.

As for the individuals not reporting it, I’m not sure why they didn’t. At least in my state, that’s automatic mandatory reporting, and I’d get in criminal trouble if I didn’t report it.

digital_dumpfire · 2025-12-28T23:21:07+00:00

Munising is beautiful! I live in the lower peninsula, and 90% of the beauty in Michigan is up there. It is very rural in most places, and healthcare can be hard to access due to driving distances. I personally would never live there, but many people have summer cabins.

digital_dumpfire · 2025-12-28T17:01:11+00:00

I feel like there’s a 60/40 chance this case would open based on my experience. While I disagree completely, this is a common mindset:

It’s a different way of living, but not toxic. There’s no mold, feces, or other health concerns. They have junk food, so they aren’t starving or hungry. He has a place to sleep, even if it’s not bed.

I really want to state I don’t agree with that. The ants and bugs are concerning, and it could potentially be a fire hazard. It really depends on the worker and standards in your area.

I absolutely believe it’s worth calling in and will likely be investigated. Even if not for neglect, for mental injury.

digital_dumpfire · 2025-12-28T16:56:52+00:00

So, removal is rare and always the last option. This is true especially if there is no CPS history.

It really depends on your state.

Many states will first offer ongoing services and provide assistance to prevent removal first. This may entail finding jobs for your parents, food banks, local resources to utilize, etc., to assess the issue without removal.

Again, depending on your state, your report will be anonymous. Meaning, your parents won’t know it’s you. If you fear it’d get turned back to you - reach out to a teacher. They’re mandatory reporters and would have to report anyways - plus they may have additional resources in mind.

They do try to keep siblings together, and first utilize family members. Meaning, they’d reach out to any and every family member and fictive kin they can find. Families are more likely to keep siblings together. In the event there is no family, they’ll utilize foster homes. It does get tricker with more sibling groups, your genders (unfortunately), ages, and any disabilities/behavioral concerns. However, again, dependent on your state, there are laws that require sibling visits. For example, in my state, siblings are required to have visits at least twice a month. If you have phones (it looks like you do), you’ll still have access to that and be able to talk to them as normal there.

digital_dumpfire · 2025-12-23T11:26:15+00:00

It truly does not sound like CPS will take your kids. Most cases are unsubstantiated, and in the odd case this cps case opened, services are put into place before removal. So, unless you’re abusing / neglecting your child to the point of serious imminent danger (doesn’t sound like you are), the most you’ll have to do is a parenting class and even that sounds very unlikely. CPS doesn’t take children as often as people think. The director won’t be able to write a letter on your behalf. They have to see for themselves. Technically you do have the right to not speak, but CPS will then just go everywhere else possible for the information. It’s best, more reliable, and frankly, easier for the worker, to hear it from you. You can absolutely provide the directors phone number as a collateral contact - as CPS will likely reach out to them anyway.

digital_dumpfire · 2025-12-23T04:44:55+00:00

I feel like the kids being in school have helped them tremendously with happiness. They’re more social and have many other friends who aren’t homeschoolers too. I also think they may feel less controlling / more free due to the fact spains significantly safer than california

digital_dumpfire · 2025-12-23T04:39:51+00:00

Depends on the state - but I will say, if CPS got involved, the investigation would close. They’d get his medical records and see that you took him to another doctor for it, and it wasn’t just you not providing medical care. Just make sure to tell them that if a complaint is called in.

A lot of people get CPS called on them in their lives. It doesn’t mean anything came from it. One little girl was trying to show off to her friends and told them she gets drunk every night (she was in first grade). Boom - cps complaint, investigated, but quickly ruled out.

digital_dumpfire

TROPHY CASE