The Fresno County Department of Social Services addresses the needs of children who are suspected victims of abuse or neglect. It investigates all referrals and may remove children if necessary, placing them in temporary foster care. The department aims to empower families and prevent permanent removal of children from their parents by connecting them with resources and having parents complete tasks before children can return. It strives for equal treatment and social justice while protecting children.

1. Fresno County
Department of Social Services
Children and Family Services

2.  Vision: To lean an integrated network of
community partners that supports, protects
and strengthens children and families.
 Mission: To promote a system of best practice
in partnership with the community, committed
to prevention and early intervention, that
ensures child safety, permanence and stability,
family well-being, that is proactive, strategic,
outcomes based and fiscally responsible to the
children and families served.

5.  The department of social service (DSS)
addresses the needs of children, when
suspected abuse or neglect is a concern.
 The populations that are frequently considered
are the low income and substance abusers.
 Make note that anyone can make report on
anyone if they suspect that children are in
danger.
 The agency investigates all referrals and if
necessary the police remove the children.

6.  In order to substantiate an investigation, at least
one the penal codes must be used.
 The penal code is what is used in order to place a
hold on a child(ren).
 Then Welfare & Institutions code section 300 can
be applied.
 At this time the children are removed and placed
in temporary foster care.
 The parents will then have a team discussion
meeting to determine if the children will be placed
back in their care or not. The parents may have to
complete certain task before the children are back
in their care.

7.  At every investigation the family is asked if
they need help in any way. Whether the
answer is yes or no, the social worker informs
them of local resources.
Anti-gang programs Medical Information
Counseling Parenting
Childcare Transportation
Disabled Services and Programs Emergency Services
Domestic Violence Law Enforcement
Drug and Alcohol Central Valley Native-American
Food and clothing Indian Tribes
Housing Employment (adult & youth)
Legal Services

8.  This agency empowers this population to be
self sufficient.
 Everyone has the right to be treated equally,
some just may need a little more help than
others.
 Everyone that goes into the system is given the
opportunity to not have their children
permanently removed.

9.  Every agency has its pros and cons.
 Allowing feasible time to contact parents or
family members is a must in this field. In my
opinion 24 hours is not a lot of time.
 Although their use of cultural brokers is a great
idea. A cultural broker is for the African-
American population they help them
understand what is going on, and inform them
they are their to assist them in anyway they
can.

10.  This agency empowers individuals to maintain
and sustain a healthy lifestyle, all in the efforts of
keeping the family unit together.
 Social workers face social injustice everyday, it is
the goal to have available access to all of the needs
to achieve social justice, such as services, resources,
participation, and equal opportunity for all the
people.
 In the US we all have human rights , we are
entitled to many things such as an education,
equality, freedom,…the list goes on. In order to use
these rights one must know they have RIGHTS
and then know how to access what they are
entitled to.

11.  Child Protective Services Hotline
(559) 255-8320

12. Department of family services
http://www.co.fresno.ca.us/Departments.aspx?i
d=126