Child Protective Services
Background
The child
protection program began with the Child Welfare Division created by the Texas
Legislature in 1931 as a program within the Texas Board of Control. During the
following decades, federal, state and county participation in services to abused
and neglected children gradually increased. The Texas Family Code, created in
1974, gave the Texas Department of Public Welfare more responsibility for
services to abused, neglected, truant, and runaway children. Under the code, the
failure to report suspected abuse or neglect of children became a misdemeanor
offense.
Child Protective Services (CPS) goals include protecting
children from abuse and neglect, promoting the integrity and stability of
families, and providing permanent places to live for children who cannot safely
remain with their own families. All reasonable efforts consistent with child
safety are made to protect children without removing them from their homes. If
preserving the family while maintaining child safety is not possible, CPS may
petition the court to remove the child(ren) from their home and place them with
substitute caregivers or families. If CPS and the family cannot solve the
problems to allow the children to live at home safely, CPS may recommend to the
court that the parent-child relationship be terminated and the children placed
with other permanent families or caregivers.
The El Paso County
Attorney's
goal is to present cases on behalf of victims of family
violence and obtain a protective order to prevent domestic violence and abuse
and seek enforcement of such orders as required. The goal is also to enforce
protective orders by civil contempt actions. The enforcement procedure will
focus upon court ordered counseling, child visitation, child support, attorney's
fees and penalties due to the County.
*file protective order applications
*obtain protective orders;
*make educational and public information
presentations;
*effectively monitor protective orders to detect violations
*file civil contempt actions
*obtain orders of contempt
*make
educational and public information presentations
How can I
get a protective order?
Apply for a protective order through the El Paso
County Attorney's Office, or through a private attorney. Generally, you must
apply where you or the abuser live. There are no minimum time limits to
establish residency. Protective orders are available in every county in
Texas.
When you apply for a protective order, you must supply the
following information:
*Your relationship to the person alleged to have
committed family violence.
*The facts and circumstances concerning the
alleged family violence.
*A valid address for the person alleged to have
committed family violence; and
*A specific request for a protective order.
The victim should file for the order as soon as possible after the family
violence incident has occurred. Also, if any other incidents of family violence
have occurred in the past, the victim must provide this information on the
application, with as much detail as possible.
There is no filing fee or
cost associated with obtaining a protective order. All court costs and
attorney's fees will be recovered from the person alleged to have committed
family violence when and if the Judge issues a protective order.