Know Your Rights Toolkit
Understanding the Legal Framework: Know Your Rights for You and Your Family!
Purpose of the Toolkit
CWARE developed the Know Your Rights Toolkit to fill a critical gap in resources for families facing Child Protective Services (CPS) investigations.
The toolkit aims to:
- Empower families with knowledge of their rights, including 4th and 14th Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and interference.
- Address the disproportionate impact of CPS investigations on economically marginalized families, where poverty is often misclassified as neglect.
- Mitigate the emotional and psychological toll on families during CPS interactions by providing actionable steps and clear guidance.
Goals of the Toolkit
- Educating Families: Clarify legal protections to help parents and caregivers advocate for themselves and challenge unfounded allegations.
- Promoting Systemic Change: Highlight the need for reform in how CPS handles poverty-related cases, emphasizing family preservation over punitive measures.
- Empowering Communities: Equip families, advocates, and professionals with tools to safeguard rights and drive cultural shifts in child welfare practices.
Intended Audience
The toolkit is designed for:
- Parents and Caregivers: To help navigate CPS investigations confidently and protect their families.
- Community Advocates and Legal Professionals: To support families and enforce legal protections effectively.
- Organizations: To aid in systemic reform efforts aimed at reducing inequities and preserving family integrity.
By educating and empowering families and communities, CWARE seeks to create a more just and equitable child welfare system.
