Child Protective Services (CPS) is the system for intervention of child abuse and neglect. Existing law provides for services to abused and neglected children and their families. The goal of CPS is to keep children with their families and in his/her home when it is safe. When the child is at risk, CPS develops an alternate plan as quickly as possible. When a referral is received, the Child Protective Services staff obtains information from the person making the referral to  determine if the referral alleges abuse, neglect, or exploitation. The Emergency Response Staff will determine if an in-person response is indicated, based upon state mandate (legal). Whenever a report indicates the need for protection, CPS will: Accept the case for investigation Intervene in the crisis, if required Identify the problems, gather facts and clarify the problems Plan and provide services, set goals, identify resources and determine time frames Document the case Terminate the case or transfer it to another program Approximately 12 months of services are provided to children who remain safely in the home while the family receives services.  If it is determined that a child cannot remain in the home, even with family preservation and support services,  foster placement is arranged in the most family-like setting, with the best interest of the child in mind. Up to 18 months of services are provided to children and their families when a child has been removed from the home and the family is making progress toward reunification.  When a child cannot be returned to a safe home after services have been delivered, the child must be provided with a family-like living arrangement as soon as possible. These services are available to children and their families when children are the victims of, or at risk of, abuse,  neglect, exploitation and/or parental absence. California law defines child abuse as of the following: A child is physically injured by other than accidental means. A child is subjected to willful cruelty or unjustifiable punishment. A child is abused or exploited sexually. A child is neglected by a parent or caretaker who fails to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical care, or supervision. San Benito County  Child Protective Services 1111 San Felipe Rd. Suite 205 Hollister, CA 95023 (831) 636-4190 TTY for Speech/Hearing Impaired (831) 637-7983 or Call California Relay Service at: TTY Calls: 1-800-735-2929 Speech to Speech Calls use: 1-800-854-7784