Child Protection Services in Colorado
Parents and other family members are responsible for the well-being of children, but there situations where additional assistance might be required to ensure that a young person is safe. The State of Colorado provides several resources and remedies to address potential threats to children and families. These services aim to prevent harm, intervene when necessary, and resolve conflicts effectively.
Someone with a concern about the well-being of a child might wish to consider one of the following options:
- Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline — Available on a 24/7 basis, the Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline (1-844-CO-4-KIDS) is a vital resource for reporting concerns about child abuse or neglect. When a call is received, hotline staffers relay the report to the appropriate county child protection services for assessment. Confidentiality is maintained to protect reporters, and immediate action can be taken by the County Child Protection/Welfare Services when a youth is believed to be in imminent danger.
- County Child Protection Services — Each of Colorado’s 64 counties has its own child protection services department to investigate potential problems. These agencies assess the safety of children, provide support to families in crisis, and determine what steps should be taken prevent a youth from being harmed. Responses to reports can include family counseling, foster care placement or court intervention.
- Child Protection Ombudsman — In many cases, parents or children find that the state’s child protection structure is inadequate or unreasonable. Sometimes parents or children believe the County Child Protection system did not abide by their rules and regulations. Colorado’s Child Protection Ombudsman is an independent office that helps families navigate the child welfare system. Unlike state or county agencies, the ombudsman investigates concerns objectively and works to resolve disputes that arise between the family and CPS. Parents can reach out to this office to learn about their rights, make a complaint or advocate for a solution tailored to their specific situation.
The state’s Division of Child Welfare Services also has prevention and intervention programs designed to avert potential problems by providing education and in-home support to parents. There are also conflict services aimed at helping teenagers who are at risk of harmful behavior.
Loved ones who suspect abuse, neglect or threats to their children’s safety should act promptly. Contacting government programs is one way to do this, but you should also consider retaining a qualified attorney to help you identify the optimal solution. If you are the parent or caretaker of a child who is believed to be at risk, an experienced lawyer can protect your parental rights.
At the Law Offices of Bonnie E. Saltzman, LLC in the south Denver area, we handle a wide range of legal matters related to parental rights and claims of child abuse and neglect. For a free initial consultation, please call 720-388-1565 or contact us online.